Beddgelert Forest, near Porthmadog
Peaceful forest in the heart of Snowdonia National...
What's here
Accessible trail
Barbeque
Dogs welcome
Parking (free)
Parking (blue badge holders)
Picnic area
Walking trail
Coronavirus update
The car park and all trails here will be open from 6 July.
Visiting our sites safely
We are working hard to provide a safe and welcoming experience as our sites re-open.
Please take personal responsibility for your safety, making additional preparations ahead of your visit and abiding by the safety measures in place.
We have changed the normal route for some of our trails to help you maintain social distancing – please follow signs on site.
Welcome
Glasdir is within Coed y Brenin Forest Park.
Glasdir car park is the starting point for a walk through an old copper mine.
There is a picnic site with barbecue by the side of the river.
Download more information about Glasdir
Pont Llam yr Ewig is an additional small car park for disabled visitors only.
It has an accessible picnic table and is the starting point for the accessible trail to a viewpoint above the mine workings.
Download more information about Pont Llam yr Ewig
Walking trails
The moderate walking trail is waymarked from the Glasdir park.
The accessible trail is waymarked from the Pont Llam yr Ewig car park.
Please stay on the waymarked trails as the old mine workings and buildings may be unsafe and there are unprotected drops into the river gorges.
Glasdir Copper Trail (red waymarkers from Glasdir car park)
Highlights: Discover an old copper works hidden in a quiet rural setting.
Distance: ¾ mile, 1.2 kilometres
Grade: moderate
Trail description: Follow the red waymarkers from the main Glasdir car park through the picnic site down to the river. The trail then takes in a circuit of the old copper mine set into the hillside in a series of high stone terraces. The trail is often less than 1m wide in places, on an unmade, uneven surface, where you can expect mud, rocks and tree roots. There are several flights of steps on the steep ascents and descents through the old workings.
More information: walk card and audio trail
Glasdir Accessible Trail (blue waymarkers from Pont Llam yr Ewig car park for disabled visitors)
Highlights: The viewpoint above the mine workings.
Distance: ½ mile, 850m
Grade: accessible
Trail description: Follow the blue waymarkers from the Pont Llam yr Ewig car park along an old tramway to the viewpoint above the mine workings. The accessible trail is suitable for wheelchairs. It is 1.5m wide, flat, well surfaced with passing bays every 50m and resting points every 150m.
More information: walk card and audio trail
Accessibility information
The car park at Pont Llam yr Ewig is for the use of disabled visitors only.
The accessible trail to the viewpoint over the mine workings starts from the Pont Llam yr Ewig car park.
Closures and diversions
Please note:
- Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or forest operations
- Occasionally we may have to close a site in extreme weather, such as high winds or snow and ice due to the risk of injury to visitors or staff
- Please always follow any instructions onsite and make sure you follow any temporary diversion signs in place
How to get here
The Glasdir car park and the Pont Llam yr Ewig car park are off the A470, near the village of Ganllwyd.
The OS grid reference for the Glasdir car park is SH 737 225.
The OS grid reference for the Pont Llam yr Ewig car park is SH 743 226.
Car parking is free of charge.
Directions to Glasdir car park
From the south: Take the A470 north from Dolgellau. About 200 metres after passing the Tyn y Groes Hotel, turn right following the brown tourist signs to Ty'n y Groes. Follow the tarmac road past the Ty’n y Groes picnic site for just over one kilometre. The Glasdir car park is on the right with a picnic site a short walk away across the road.
From the north: Take the A470 south towards Dolgellau. After passing through Ganllwyd village, turn left following the brown tourist signs to Ty'n y Groes. Follow the tarmac road past the Ty’n y Groes picnic site for just over one kilometre. The Glasdir car park is on the right with a picnic site a short walk away across the road.
Directions to Pont Llam yr Ewig car park
Follow the directions to Glasdir car park. When you reach the Glasdir car park, continue along the tarmac road, bear sharp left up the steep hill, turn right at the crossroads at the top of the hill and the small Pont Llam yr Ewig car park is on the right over the stone bridge. Please note: Pont Llam yr Ewig is car park for the use of disabled visitors only.
Public transport
The nearest train stations are in Barmouth (Cambrian Coast line) and Blaenau Ffestiniog (Blaenau Ffestiniog-Llandudno line).
For details of public transport visit www.traveline.cymru
Exploring Coed y Brenin Forest Park
Coed y Brenin Forest Park offers visitors the total woodland experience within Snowdonia National Park.
There are a range of waymarked trails to cater for all tastes and fitness levels in the forest park. These include world-class mountain bike trails, family walks, running trails, geocaching and orienteering routes.
As well as the walking trails that start here at Glasdir, the main car parks with facilities for visitors within Coed y Brenin forest park are:
- Coed y Brenin Forest Park Visitor Centre - the gateway to the forest park and the starting point for a range of walking, running and mountain biking trails. There is also a café, running shop and bike shop
- Pont Cae’n y Coed – start of the rugged Volcano Trail
- Tyddyn Gwladys – a picnic site by the rolling Mawddach river and gateway to the Waterfalls and Goldmines walk
- Forest Garden – a choice of routes through trees from all over the world in the forest garden, one of which is suitable for all abilities
- Ty'n y Groes – riverside picnic area and gateway to an accessible riverside walk and a rugged mountain trail with great views over Snowdonia
Contact details
Coed y Brenin Forest Park Visitor Centre
Tel: 01341 440747
Email: coedybrenin@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Downloads
Related document downloads
Coed y Brenin location map
PDF [977.9 KB]
Glasdir site information
PDF [1.7 MB]
Pont Lam yr Ewig site information
PDF [1.6 MB]
Glasdir Copper Trail guide (print only)
PDF [474.7 KB]
