Introduction
Beddgelert nestles at the southern end of the Snowdon range at the confluence between the Afon Glaslyn and the Afon Colwyn. As well as Snowdon being accessible, the highest mountain south of the Scottish Border in the UK, other very good medium-height mountains can also be climbed. The mountain that dominates Beddgelert is Moel Hebog while other mountains reveal themselves round a few turns on the roads. The low level scenery is fantastic and thus this place makes an ideal summer destination for all tastes.

The Nantle risge seen from the Snowdon range

Snowdon is described in more detail in the Snowdon section. The most popular route of ascent on this side is via the Snowdon Ranger path from Llyn Cwellyn. The way up is hidden from the best features of Snowdon until the final two kilometres to the top where cliffs overlook the corrie of Cwm Glogwyn. A subsidiary summit of Snowdon that can be climbed on this side is Yr Aran which rises to 747m. This presents a steep short climbed from the col but a gentle descent back down to Beddgelert.

Looking along the Nantlle ridge - Mynydd Drws-y-coed (left) and Trum y Ddysgl (right)

Trum y Ddysgl seen from Mynydd Drws-y-coed

The view from Snowdon to Mynydd Mawr

The Nantle Ridge & Moel Hebog
A classic traverse to do includes the Nantle Ridge which traverses about five summits and negotiates some quite narrow and exciting ridges. There is a nice scramble to be had on one bit of this ridge and they overlook sheer 150m drops and so provide an ideal introduction to narrow ridges. The mountains are around 700m in altitude but sacrifice nothing in quality to bigger summits. There is one section (avoidable) that involves grade 2 scrambling at the base of the highest summit, Craig Cwm Silyn.

The Nantle Risge seen from the main road

The scramble on Mynydd Drws-y-coed

Trum y Ddysgl seen from Mynydd Tal-y-mignedd

Mynydd Drws-y-coed seen from Trum y Ddysgl

Mynydd Tal-y-mignedd seen from Trum y Ddysgl

Looking back along the Nantle Ridge from Craig Cym Silyn

Moel Hebog is the highest summit in the immediate vicinity of Beddgelert and has numerous impressive cliffs lining the upper slopes. Numerous rocky bluffs provide some opportunity for scrambling. Extensive forests, however, make access difficult from Beddgelert. The forest tracks marked on the maps are more trustworthy routes of access than the marked rights of way on the map. The summit is otherwise a worthy summit to climb.

The col north of Moel Hebog

Llyn Cwellyn and Mynydd Mawr

A ridge continues north from Moel Hebog over the two interesting lower tops of Moel yr Ogof and Moel Lein. The ridge drops steeply from Moel Hebog and near the col at the bottom, interesting sculptures of black rock, probably volcanic plugs, look very different from the usual welsh landscape. A well marked path drops down from Moel Lein northwards to the col with the Nantle hills - from here, the Nantle ridge form a good contiuation of the walk just done.

Moel Hebog seen from the North East

Moel Hebog seen from the north

Cnicht and the Moelwyns
Another summit that remains secluded from most roadside views is Cnicht. This summit lies at 689m and has a fine south-west ridge that is fairly narrow and rocky. From some angles you can understand why this is called the "Matterhorn of Wales"!. This summit overlooks a area that is typically undulating hillside with numerous rocky outcrops. The approach from Beddgelert did follow a dismantled railway track through some tunnels - now closed for health and safety reasons, it now follows the river bank.

Cnicht seen from the north east

Beddgelert seen from Yr Aran

Cnicht seen from Croesor

Cnicht and the two Moelwyn summits encircle a nice U-Shaped valley known as Cwm Croesor in which nestles the tiny village of Croesor. The summit of Cnicht lies on the north side of this valley, the walk can be continued round the head of the valley from where the two Moelwyn summits can be climbed. These summits have rounded grassy domes propped up by various cliffs. To the east and north of these summits, the landscape has much evidence of quarrying and industrial heritage. The steam trains ploughing along the narrow gauge Ffestiniog railway can easily be herd from up on these summits.

The dismantled Railway tunnels

Moelwyn Mawr seen from Moelwyn Bach

Llyn Stwlan seen from Moelwyn Mawr

There is some excellent riverside country here with a combination of rapids, wooded lakeside and some fine low level summits. The walk from Llyn Gwyant to Beddgelert is very fine and passes through mixed woodland that is often backed up by steep hill side. This is the finest valley in this part of Snowdonia and shouldn't be missed.

Moelwyn Bach seen from Moelwyn Mawr

The tapering ridge of Moelwyn Mawr