THE AREA
THE AREA | ||
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Beddgelert is a great base from which to explore the Snowdonia National Park. For walkers, two of the best routes up Snowdon start just a couple of miles either side of the village. Meanwhile there are mountains such as Cnicht, Moel Hebog and the Nantlle Ridge all within a few minutes of the village. In addition there are opportunities for rock climbing near Tremadog (5 miles) and Nantlle (12 miles). There are also walks that are less strenuous to be found around the village. For the less actively inclined there is plenty to do. The village itself has a number of shops, cafe's pubs, restaurants and galleries, 2 National Trust Houses and of course Gelerts Grave. | ||
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Snowdon from Cnicht | ||
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In addition no visit to Beddgelert would be complete without a trip to the Sygun Copper Mine just outside the village, which gives you a feel for what life was like in North Wales in the 18th and 19th Centuries (for film buffs Inn of the Sixth Happiness was also filmed here). For the uphill walkers if you climb Bwlch y Sygun you can find the point where the miners broke out at the top of the mountain having chased the copper ore seam from bottom to top. Further afield at Blaenau Ffestinniog there is the Llechwedd Slate Mine which is also worth a visit. Further afield there are the various Castles of North Wales, including Harlech, Caernarfon and Conwy. For steam train lovers news this year is that the Welsh Highland Railway route from Caernarfon to Beddgelert will be opening in 2009 and will link up with the Ffestinniog Railway in Porthmadog. Further afield are the two railways in Llanberis (Lake Railway and Snowdon). The Italianate village of Portmeirion near Penryndaedraeth is also worth a visit for the stunning architectural vision and gardens (and for those who remember the cult 60's series The Prisoner). Black Rock Sands near Porthmadog is a very large beach that is fairly sheltered and is good for walks and simply chilling out. Other activities include salmon & trout fishing in the river Glaslyn (permits are available locally) and sea fishing from a variety of seaside towns nearby. There is also a mountain biking centre just outside the village. For golfers there area number of excellent courses nearby including Porthmadog (8 miles), Criccieth (14 miles), Royal Harlech (20 miles), Morfa Nefyn (20 miles) and Caernarfon (12 miles). It is also possible to go sailing, estuary sailing is available at Porthmadog (7 miles) and in the Menai Straight from Caernarfon (12 miles). | ||
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