Home > Days out > Places to visit > North West Wales

Gwydir Forest Park - Cyffty Mine, near Betws-y-coed

Short trail around abandoned mine

What's here

Dogs welcome
Walking trail

The car park and trail are closed due to ongoing reservoir operations.

We’ll keep this page up to date with the latest information so please check back regularly.

Coronavirus update

We appreciate your patience as we work to provide a steady and safe return to the countryside.

Most of our woodlands and nature reserves have now re-opened.

See a list of all our places to visit.

See our tips about how to plan for a safe visit.

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 this short walk.

Walking trail

The walking trail is waymarked and starts from a layby (OS grid reference SH 772 589).

Cyffty Mine Trail

Distance: ¼ mile/0.5 kilometres

Grade: Moderate

Highlights: 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.

Description: The trail is generally level, varying from 50cm-1m 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.

More information: walk card

Download more information about the Cyffty Mine Trail (walk card)

Exploring 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.

In addition to the walks from Betws-y-coed, waymarked walks start from several other Natural Resources Wales car parks in Gwydir Forest Park.

Two red graded mountain bike trails, Gwydir Mawr and Gwydir Bach, start from Sawbench and Hafna.

Closures and diversions

Sometimes we need to close or divert trails for your safety whilst we undertake maintenance work or forest operations
Occasionally 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 onsite and make sure you follow any temporary diversion signs in place

How to get here

Cyffty Mine is 3 miles south west of Betws-y-Coed.

The walking trail starts from a lay-by on a minor road.

Directions

From the B5106 at Gwydir Castle: take the minor road into the forest, signposted for Geirionnydd. The layby at the start of the Cyffy Mine walk is on the left, after passing Llyn Sarnau car park.

From the A5 at Ugly House (Tŷ Hyll): take the minor road into the forest. The layby at the start of the Cyffy Mine walk is on the right, after Ty'n Llwyn car park.