Nant Gwynant valley

Nant Gwynant is one of the most spectacular valleys in Snowdonia, a deep glacial trough running south-east from Pen-y-Pass down towards Beddgelert. The road that threads through it, the A498, is widely considered one of the finest scenic drives in Wales, twisting beside two long lakes, Llyn Gwynant and Llyn Dinas, with the Snowdon massif rising sharply to the north and the Moel Siabod ridge to the south.

The valley is a magnet for walkers. The Watkin Path, the longest and arguably most varied route to the summit of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), begins at Pont Bethania near the foot of Llyn Gwynant. Lower-level walks circle Llyn Dinas, climb to the Iron Age hillfort of Dinas Emrys (linked in legend with Merlin and the red and white dragons), and follow the Afon Glaslyn down through oak woods to Beddgelert.

Llyn Gwynant is also popular for wild swimming, canoeing and lakeside camping, with a National Trust campsite on its eastern shore. Public transport access is via the Snowdon Sherpa bus network, which links Beddgelert, Pen-y-Pass and Llanberis, making the valley reachable without a car for those wanting to walk one of the great mountain routes of North Wales.