Discover hotels in Beddgelert

If you are looking for a hotel in Beddgelert, the local trails and historical connections can help you decide what to focus on during your stay. The place name is not the only thing that matters when choosing: consider what kind of exploration interests you—a route with a clearly stated distance and multiple ways to use it, a circular walk through specific landscapes, a connection to the legend of Gelert, or a train journey with time to spend in the village. Distance, types of use, circular routes, stories and time for a stop by train all offer different ways to experience Beddgelert.

Compare walking trails by distance and landscape

Lôn Gwyrfai is a 4½-mile recreational path between Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu. It is designed for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. This lets you consider two specific features together when planning: the route’s length and its intended uses. This sets Lôn Gwyrfai apart from paths that are classified primarily by their circular route or the landscapes they pass through.

The Fisherman's Path and Cwm Bychan circular walk passes through Aberglaslyn Pass and Cwm Bychan. This route is defined by its circular form and the two areas it passes through, while Lôn Gwyrfai is described in terms of its length and intended uses. When choosing, you can weigh up whether a known route length and suitability for walkers, cyclists and horse riders matter more to you, or whether you prefer a circular route through Aberglaslyn Pass and Cwm Bychan.

The legend of Gelert and a historic train journey

The riverside circular walk to Gelert's Grave offers insights into the legend of Gelert and Prince Llywelyn, which gave the village of Beddgelert its name. This connects the walk to the story that also explains the place name. For travellers looking for a story to accompany a walk, beyond the path itself, this circular route has a different focus from Lôn Gwyrfai or the Fisherman's Path and Cwm Bychan: here, the river and the legend take centre stage.

The Gelert Explorer offers a different way to experience this connection: it is a historic train journey from Caernarfon to Beddgelert, at the northern end of the Welsh Highland Railway. The journey allows up to 75 minutes to explore Beddgelert, walk along the river and learn more about the legend of Gelert. This gives you a specific timeframe for planning your time in the village. If you want to coordinate your visit with the train journey, check the timetable in advance. This will help you consider the riverside circular walk and exploring the village during a train journey as two different options.

An architectural connection to history

The Church of St Mary in Beddgelert includes medieval remains dating from the mid-13th century. Alongside the legend of Gelert, it offers a different historical connection: medieval remains at the church contrast with the story associated with the origin of the village's name. You can consider these two themes separately when planning—church history on the one hand, and the story of Gelert and Prince Llywelyn on the riverside circular walk on the other. Together with the different routes and time spent in the village during the train journey, they offer a range of possible focuses when looking for a hotel in Beddgelert.

Discover more destinations

Groeslon, Pentir, Llangelynin, Clynnog-Fawr, Penrhyndeudraeth, Llanddeiniolen, Aberdovey, Llanbedrog

Return to the main travel overview: Gwynedd.