Beddgelert Forest, near Porthmadog
Peaceful forest in the heart of Snowdonia National...
Gwydir Forest Park - Cyffty Mine, near Llanrwst
Short trail around abandoned mine
What's here
Coronavirus update
Our sites and most visitor facilities are open.
We have changed the normal route for some of our trails to help you maintain social distancing – please follow signs on site.
Welcome
Lead and zinc mining once dominated Gwydir Forest Park, which now lies in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park.
That industry is long gone but the remains of several mines have been partially restored and made safe for visitors.
You can walk through some of the old workings of Cyffty lead mine on our short walk.
Walking trail
The walking trail is waymarked from start to finish.
Look out for the information panel at the start of the trail.
Find out about walking trail grades.
Cyffty Mine Trail
- Grade: Moderate
- Distance: ¼ mile/0.5 kilometres
- Time: 20 minutes
- Trail information: The walking trail is waymarked and starts from a lay-by (OS grid reference SH 772 589). The trail is generally level, varying from 50 cm - 1 m wide, surfaced in a natural rough stone with several short flights of steps linking the old machine houses, wheel pits and mine shafts. Please stay on the waymarked trail.
Imagine the ringing sounds of the industry that once thrived here.
Walk over the covered mine shaft at the far point of the trail and look down between your feet into the dark.
Get the full story from the interpretive panels along the route.
Gwydir Forest Park
Cyffty Mine is in Gwydir Forest Park.
Gwydir Forest Park lies in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park and encircles the village of Betws-y-coed.
Lead and zinc mining once dominated the area and the legacy of old engine-houses, waste tips and reservoirs are characteristic features of the forest landscape today.
Several of the most important mines have been partially restored and made safe for visitors.
Waymarked walks start from several Natural Resources Wales car parks in Gwydir Forest Park.
Two red graded mountain bike trails, Gwydir Mawr and Gwydir Bach, start from the car parks at Sawbench and Hafna.
Closures and diversions
- Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations.
- We may have to close a site in extreme weather, such as high winds or snow and ice, due to the risk of injury to visitors or staff.
- Please always follow any instructions on site and any temporary diversion signs.
How to get here
Location
Cyffty Mine is 2½ miles south west of Llanrwst.
It is in the county of Conwy.
Ordnance Survey map
Cyffty Mine is on Ordnance Survey (OS) map OL 17.
The OS grid reference for the start of the trail is SH 772 589.
Directions
Take the B5106 from Llanrwst towards Betws-y-coed.
After turning left at the brown and white sign for Gwydir Castle, turn immediately right onto a minor road.
Go past the Sawbench car park, continue past the Hafna car park and the Llyn Sarnau car park, and the Cyffty Mine car park is on your left.
Public transport
The nearest mainline railway station is in Llanrwst.
For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.
Parking
Parking is free of charge.
Contact details
Related document downloads
Cyffty Mine Trail guide
PDF [336.4 KB]
