Beddgelert Forest, near Beddgelert
Huge forest in the heart of Eryri National Park
Gwydir Forest Park - Cyffty Mine, near Llanrwst
What's here
We may close our car parks and other visitor facilities at short notice whilst we undertake recovery operations due to recent storm damage. You should always follow any instructions given by signs or local staff including any trail diversions or closures, and beware of the danger of falling trees or branches.
Welcome
Lead and zinc mining once dominated Gwydir Forest Park, which now lies in the heart of the Eryri 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 an informal roadside parking area. 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 Eryri 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 trails start from Betws-y-coed and several other Natural Resources Wales car parks in Gwydir Forest Park:
- Betws-y-coed - peaceful forest walks away from the tourist bustle
- Cae'n y Coed - easy-to-find picnic area and walk with panoramic mountain views
- Dolwyddelan - walking trail along Roman road and cycle trail with mountain views
- Hafna - walking trail through lead mine ruins and red-graded mountain bike trail
- Llyn Crafnant - walking trails around the lake and accessible riverside trail
- Llyn Geirionydd - picnic site with walking trail around two beautiful lakes
- Llyn Sarnau - picnic spot with a walk to two scenic lakes
- Penmachno - remote mountain bike trails with spectacular views
- Sawbench - two red-graded mountain bike trails and historical walk
- Ty’n Llwyn – walking trail to the famous Swallow Falls waterfall
Eryri National Park
Gwydir Forest Park is set in Eryri National Park.
Eryri is the largest National Park in Wales and is home to picturesque towns and villages and the highest mountain in Wales.
It is looked after by the Eryri National Park Authority.
For more information about visiting Eryri go to the Eryri National Park Authority website.
Visiting safely
We want you to return home safely after your visit here.
You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.
Please note:
- Unprotected drops and old buildings - stay on the waymarked trail.
For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.
Changes to visitor facilities
See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.
For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.
We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.
In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.
Organising an event on our land
You may need permission from us to organise an event or to carry out some activities on our land.
Check if you are allowed to use our land.
How to get here
We recommend you follow these directions or use the Google map below which has a pin on this place’s location.
Cyffty Mine is 2½ miles south west of Llanrwst.
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 car parks for Sawbench, Hafna and Llyn Sarnau and the informal roadside parking area is on the left.
The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the parking area is SH 772 588 (Explorer Map OL 17).
The postcode is LL27 0JB. Please note that this postcode covers a wide area and will not take you directly to the entrance.
View this place on the What3Words website.
Public transport
The nearest mainline railway station is in Llanrwst.
For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.
Parking
Parking is in an informal roadside parking area.
Parking is free of charge.
Overnight parking is not permitted.
Contact details
There are no staff at this location.
Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.
Related document downloads
Cyffty Mine Trail guide
PDF [336.4 KB]
Other places in North West Wales
Explore more
Other websites
Eryri National Park
Last updated 2 Apr 2025