Route Summary:
| Distance | Ascent | Time |
| 6.9 km | 130 m |
Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.
Start and Finish:
Facilities:
Check out the businesses nearby for more places to stay and drink.
Hazards:
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.
Public Transport: Traveline for UK Public Transport
Parking and Post Code for Sat Nav (where applicable):
Weather Forecast:
Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather
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Recommended Maps:
Guidebooks:
Summits and Places on this Route
- Moel Smytho - 1.2km
- Cefn-du - 2.7km
- Moel Tryfan - 2.8km
- Moel Eilio - 3.1km
- Foel Gron - 3.9km
Places Nearby
- Castell Caernarfon Castle - 6.3km
- Nantlle Ridge, Moel Hebog and Eifionydd - 6.7km
- Nantlle Ridge Wild Camp - 6.8km
- Snowdon Massif – Yr Wyddfa Range - 9.7km
- Llyn Cwm Dulyn - 9.8km
Routes Nearby
- Waunfawr Circular Walk from the Welsh Highland Railway - 0.0km
- Mynydd Mawr from Rhosgadfan - 1.2km
- Snowdonia’s Best Kept Trail Running Secret? Uwchgwyfai Common - 1.2km
- Mynydd Mawr from Rhosgadfan Trip Report - 1.7km
- The Bryngwyn Path from Tryfan Junction to Moel Tryfan and Waunfawr - 2.5km
- Moel Eilio Trip Report - 2.6km
- Cefn Du Trail Run - 2.6km
- Walk up Moel Eilio From Waunfawr - 2.6km
Accommodation Nearby:
- The Black Boy Inn - 6.3km
- Snowdonia Bunkhouse - 7.4km
- Snowdonia Mountain Hostel - 11.5km
- Summit to Savour - 12.1km
- Yr Efail Swynol The Enchanted Forge Holiday Cottage - 13.5km
Campsites Nearby:
- Your Snowdonia Business Here for free? - 13.6km
- Llyn Gwynant Campsite - 13.7km
- Gwern Gôf Uchaf Campsite - 15.8km
- Gwern Gôf Isaf Campsite - 15.8km
- Dol Gam Campsite and B&B - 21.8km
Pubs and Cafes Nearby:
- The Black Boy Inn - 6.3km
- Mallorys YHA, Pen y Pass - 12.4km
- Pen y Gwryd Hotel - 13.6km
- Your Snowdonia Business Here for free? - 13.6km
- Cynllwyd Cafe – Llyn Crafnant - 21.4km
Other Businesses Nearby:
- Snowdon Events - 6.0km
- The Black Boy Inn - 6.3km
- Snowdonia Bunkhouse - 7.4km
- Summit to Savour - 12.1km
- Mallorys YHA, Pen y Pass - 12.4km
This is a 7km route from the WHR station at Waunfawr, along quiet country lanes and tracks, to the newly renovated halt at Tryfan Junction and back to the start. It’s also ideally suited for an easy mountain bike in sections or even on horseback. You’ll probably see more horses than people.
Part of the route is along the Lon Gwyrfai, which is the same route as from Rhyd Ddu to Beddgelert, only there’s nothing in between!
The Route
1 – Start at the WHR Station in Waunfawr, and turn right along the main road, taking care as it is narrow though not too busy (peak season exempted!), crossing the bridge over the Gwyrfai. Follow the main road through the village of Waunfawr, all the way to the far end of the village.
2 As the village peters out, you pass a junction to your right with a straight long road leading uphill and a bus shelter on the left hand side of the road. Just past the bus shelter, follow the public footpath across two fields to join a minor road. If you’re cycling or on horseback, then ignore the footpath, and continue until you reach a minor road junction where you turn left. Its signposted Lon Gwyrfai and Caernarfon (note that the distances are bizarrely in miles, so must be regarded as ‘road’ signs).
3 Continue along the minor road, until you reach a cross roads. Turn left and downhill towards a bridge over the Gwyrfai known locally as Pompren – a derivation of Pont Pren or the Wooden Bridge and only notable as the only wood near it is growing from the ground. There appears to be an old ford here, but I’ve never seen the water low enough to fancy it myself.
4 – From here, the track continues muddily uphill, through a farm and within minutes to Tryfan Junction. This has recently been renovated, and there’s also a footpath into the hills from here (route to follow that takes you over the hills and back to Waunfawr station)
5– Continue along the lane for a short distance, before turning left along the narrow country lane, towards a farm (Erw) as the lane becomes two strips of tarmac and eventually a path that leads uphill. The views now open up towards Caernarfon and Anglesey, and this off path section is over far too soon. All that remains is for the path to turn into tarmac, and the steep descent along a minor road that brings you out almost opposite the station, which will be on your left hand side.
