Nantgwynant

Settlement in Caernarfonshire

Wales

Nantgwynant

Moorland and hillocks, near Llyn Dinas Credit: Eirian Evans

Nantgwynant is a small village located in the county of Caernarfonshire, in North Wales. Situated in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, it is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque mountains, Nantgwynant is nestled between the iconic peaks of Snowdon and Moel Hebog. The village is blessed with stunning landscapes, including the tranquil Llyn Gwynant, a glacial lake that adds to the area's allure. The lake is a haven for water activities such as fishing and kayaking, attracting visitors from far and wide.

The village itself is a charming and peaceful place, with a small but friendly community. It boasts a few traditional cottages and houses, adding to its quaint appeal. While there are no major amenities in Nantgwynant, the nearby town of Beddgelert offers a range of facilities, including shops, restaurants, and accommodation options.

Nantgwynant is a paradise for hikers, with numerous trails leading through the enchanting Welsh countryside. The popular Watkin Path, one of the six main routes to the summit of Mount Snowdon, begins in Nantgwynant and provides breathtaking views along the way. Other nearby attractions include the Aberglaslyn Pass, renowned for its dramatic scenery and wildlife.

Whether it's mountain climbing, hiking, or simply immersing oneself in the tranquility of nature, Nantgwynant offers a serene and idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its stunning landscapes and proximity to Snowdonia National Park make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking to explore the natural wonders of North Wales.

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Nantgwynant Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.040571/-4.0395586 or Grid Reference SH6351. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Moorland and hillocks, near Llyn Dinas

Eirian Evans

Barn at Llyndy Isaf

Eirian Evans

Slate slab bridge on Afon Cwm Llan

This bridge was built by miners to provide a short cut to the copper mines on slopes of Lliwedd.

Eric Jones

Waterfall on Afon Cwm Llan

Afon Cwm Llan is a spate river.

Eric Jones

Rhaeadr Cwm Llan waterfall

Eric Jones

Cwm Llan waterfall in full spate

Eric Jones

Ruined copper mine buildings near Plas Cwm Llan

Eric Jones

The start of the Watkin path in Parc Hafod-y-llan

From the road by the confluence of the Afon Llynedno with the Afon Glaslyn, the Watkin path is one of the classic routes up Snowdon. With cloudbase barely above the treetops, that's not an ideal destination for a day like this, but the track also gives access to various lower-level rooutes and industrial remains, so was far from deserted. The woodland is moderately natural, no plantation conifers, but plenty of invasive weed sycamore which no-one seems to be seeking to exterminate.

Andy Waddington

Hawthorns by the route to Cwm Llan

Hawthorns stand out against the low contrast background of Cwm Llan in low cloud on a dreich November day. The Watkin path heads up there past the Afon Cwm Llan waterfalls, and straight into the clouds that are starting to bring the level up. The weather might mean a less crowded ascent to Snowdon, but the views would hardly be the most rewarding, so this was a lower-level walk aiming to stay below cloudbase and return to Llyn Dinas via a permissive path to Craflwyn.

Andy Waddington

Permissive path to Cwm y Bleiddiaid mines

Leaving the Watkin path up Snowdon just below the point where it crosses an old mineral working incline, this path makes its way across bleak and soggy hillside above the Afon Gorsen via a (long) series of well-placed stepping stones through the most vulnerable bits of wetland. It eventually reaches a more substantial path in Cwm y Bleiddiaid, where there are more old mine workings, and then a choice of two routes down to Craflwyn, but no direct descent to the road near Llyn Dinas.

Andy Waddington