Difficulty: Hard
Length: 8.16 km (5.07 miles)
Approx. duration: 3-5hrs
Parking: Free (Google Maps)
Dogs: Not suitable – Scrambling sections unsafe for dogs
From Perthi Holiday Cottages: 9-minute drive
This rewarding circular hike links the steep slopes of Y Garn with the narrow ridge of Drws y Coed, finishing with a scenic descent through Beddgelert Forest and wide views across the surrounding valleys.
You're in the right place if you're looking for a more adventurous walk with a steep ascent and a short scrambling section. The scramble on Drws y Coed is straightforward if you keep to the left-hand side of the ridge — but the exposure is real, so if you're uncomfortable with heights this isn't the walk for you. This walk follows the beginning of the Nantlle Ridge — giving you the best of the early section without committing to the full traverse.
The route begins with a demanding climb up Y Garn, gaining height quickly and setting the tone for the day. As the ground levels, the views open out, rewarding the effort with an immediate sense of space and scale.
From Y Garn, the walk continues along to Drws y Coed, where an easy scramble adds interest without becoming overly technical. Careful route choice keeps the exposure to a minimum, and the ridge provides a dramatic but manageable crossing between peaks.
The descent drops into Beddgelert Forest, where the character of the walk changes once again. Looking back, there are excellent views across the valley towards Yr Wyddfa, with Cwm Pennant unfolding beneath you as the path winds down.
This circular hike follows the opening section of the Nantlle Ridge — one of the finest mountain walks in Wales. For walkers who want to experience the ridge without the full traverse or the logistics of leaving a car at each end, this route gives you the best of it in one circular walk from Beddgelert.
“Honestly one of the best easy scrambles in Wales — this is actually the beginning of the Nantlle Ridge, so you’re getting the finest section of one of Wales’s great mountain walks without having to do the full traverse or sort two cars. Just be honest with yourself about heights before you go. The exposure on Drws y Coed is real even if the scrambling itself isn’t technically difficult.” — Delyth, Perthi Holiday Cottages
Our 17th-century cottages sit just above Beddgelert, with walking routes straight from the door.
Step-by-Step Walk Guide
Numbered steps with photos to help you follow the route.
17th-Century Cottages in Beddgelert
Rated 4.98 on Airbnb from over 300 guest reviews
Stay in a converted water mill, a historic barn or a mountain lodge on Delyth’s family farm above the village — with wide Eryri views and walking routes from the door.