Section 19 of 21, Cambrian Way
Beddgelert to Pen y Pass
11 miles (17.6 km). About 5½ hours, challenging.
Start: SH 590 481. Finish: SH 647 556. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Diversion in place on this route. On section 9 (Llandovery to Ty'n-y-cornel), not this one. The details are on its page.
Up and down
About 1,146 m of climbing and 825 m of descent; highest point 1,078 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Beddgelert.
- Station
- Beddgelert (heritage railway), 340 m from the start. Directions SH 586 481
- Bus stops
- Beddgelert (A), 30 m from the start. Directions SH 589 480Beddgelert (B), 150 m from the start. Directions SH 588 480
- Car parks
- Car park (pay), 210 m from the start. Directions SH 588 481Colwyn Banc Car Park (pay), 230 m from the start. Directions SH 588 482Car park, 860 m from the start. Directions SH 597 485
Getting back
The section finishes at Pen y Pass. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stop
- Pen-y-Pass, 20 m from the finish. Directions SH 647 556
Planning the Cambrian Way
- Planning the whole trail: cambrianway.org.uk.
- The guidebook the trail recommends: Walking the Cambrian Way (Cicerone).
What to expect
Underfoot: earth, rock and mud 45%, gravel and tracks 29%, paved or flagged 13%.
About 10% on roads with traffic.
Path grade, where mappers have given one: rough mountain path 56%, demanding mountain path, some scrambling 31%, clear path 13%.
On the way: 2 stiles, 1 kissing gate, 20 gates, 8 stream crossings, 9 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 228 m in a kilometre (1 in 4), starting 6.5 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
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Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.