Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
has since been converted into a museum, with a short self-guided underground tour con-
taining dioramas that evoke the life of Victorian miners. You can also try your hand at
metal detecting (£2.50) or panning for gold (£2). It's located a mile northeast of Bed-
dgelert, along the A498.
Craflwyn & Dinas Emrys
(NT; 01766-510120;
www.craflwyn.org
)
A mile northeast of Beddgelert, near the southern end
of Llyn Dinas, National Trust-owned Craflwyn Farm is the starting point for several short
walks, including a path to one of the most signficant yet largely unheralded sites in Welsh
mythology.
According to legend, Dinas Emrys was the hill where King Vortigern - son-in-law of
Britain's last Roman ruler, Magnus Maximus - tried to build a castle. It kept collapsing
until the young wizard Merlin (Myrddin Emrys) liberated two dragons in a cavern under
the hill, a white one representing the Saxons (the Germanic ancestors of the English) and
a red one representing the Britons, and prophesied that they'd fight until the red dragon
was triumphant. The two dragons have been at each other's throats ever since.
It takes about half an hour to walk through fields, alongside a stream, past a waterfall
and through woods to the summit. At the top there are the remains of ancient fortifications
and wonderful views over the lake.
The National Trust leases out pretty yellow Craflwyn Hall, near the car park, where
there are B&B rooms and a cafe.
WALKING
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Beddgelert Forest
Within this forestry commission block (2 miles northwest of Beddgelert along the A4805)
is a popular campground and two mountain-bike trails: the 6-mile Hir Trail and the easier
2.5-mile Byr Trail.
Beics Beddgelert
( 01766-890434;
www.beddgelertbikes.co.uk
; per 2/4/8hr £15/21/28)
Rents out mountain bikes, tandems
and child seats; you'll find this outfit by the train station.
BICYCLE RENTAL
Sleeping & Eating
Beddgelert Campsite
CAMPGROUND
£
