The Betws-y-Coed Village–Llyn Elsi loop has been named Wales' favourite train-accessible walk, earning a 4.7-star rating from 811 hikers. The route offers a scenic mix of woodland, lakeside and mountain views, providing an accessible introduction to some of Wales' most beautiful landscapes.
Top 10 dominated by Eryri walks
Outdoor brand Regatta analysed over 2,500 UK walking routes within walking distance of a railway station to uncover Wales' favourite walks reachable by train. Eryri (Snowdonia) dominates the rankings, with five of Wales' top 10 walks located in and around Betws-y-Coed.
The top 10 includes four other Eryri favourites: the Swallow Falls & the Ugly House loop, Snowdonia Slate Walk – Llugwy River Footbridge loop, Llyn Elsi loop, and the Llugwy River Footbridge – Snowdonia Slate Trail loop.
Route details and village charm
The Betws-y-Coed to Llyn Elsi loop is a 4-mile (6.5 km) circular walk taking about 2 hours. It starts behind St Mary's Church in the village, climbs steeply through Gwydyr Forest, circles the scenic mountain reservoir, and returns via the same woodland track. Walkers can use OS maps or the AllTrails app to follow the route.
The trailhead is easily reached on foot from Betws-y-Coed's hotels, shops, or the railway station. Surrounded by craggy mountains, peaceful lakes, and lush woodlands, the village has drawn comparisons with Interlaken and Montreux, and is dotted with stone-built Victorian buildings, cafes, and outdoor gear shops.
History and attractions
Considered the gateway to Eryri National Park, the town's name means “prayerhouse-in-the-woods” and is thought to come from the 14th-century St. Michael's Church, where ancient yew trees have stood for over 500 years. In 1873, St. Mary's Church took over as the village grew, and both churches and the railway station, built in 1869, were designed by Owen Gethin Jones.
The arrival of roads and railways brought artists, poets, and writers to the area, and Betws-y-Coed became Britain's first artists' colony. By the Victorian era, it had become a tourist destination, with hotels offering horse-drawn tours. In the 1930s, steam trains brought factory workers from Lancashire, and the Trefriw Spa attracted visitors until World War II halted things in 1939.
Food, drink and nearby activities
Gwydir Forest Park wraps around the village, offering mountain lakes, woodland paths and waterfalls. Food and drink options include the Hangin' Pizzeria, dog-friendly Y Stablau with Welsh produce and bespoke cocktails, Posh B&B Olif with an on-site tapas bar, and Caffi Caban-y-Pair, which hosts popular pizza nights. The Old Stag in Llangernyw, about 20 minutes away, is a traditional country pub set near a 4,500-year-old yew tree.
