How to visit Fairy Glen Wales
Fairy Glen gorge on the River Conwy is one of the main natural attractions near the village of Betws-y-Coed in Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. The beauty spot is a photographer’s dream due to its dramatic and impressive scenery. Fairy Glen, also known as Ffos Nuddun in Welsh, translates to ‘deep ditch’. Fairy Glen North Wales is a magical place and a rich source of folklore, which is why it is a popular tourist attraction. Including fairies, spirits and magic are hidden behind toadstools in the moonlight.
Only a short drive from Beaver bridge is this combination of small waterfalls, rapids, cascades, and Conwy river’s waters that create narrow ravines. The charm is enhanced by the presence of vegetation-covered rock walls and wooded banks and, as a result, is a favourite place of artists, poets, nature lovers and photographers. It is easy to feel the magic that fairy tales and mystical creatures have described as being here.
It is also a place to step away from the hustle and bustle, feel at peace with nature, and listen to the rushing waters. After you visit the gorge, you’ll have the option to continue along the river walk, which we recommend if you have the time.
Myths about the Gorge
There are many myths about the magical creatures that live in this area. Wilhelmina Stitch was a famous writer who wrote a poem about Fairy Glen in 1925. She described how she “waits for the fairy men to appear.” There is also another fantastic poem by Leila Sen that describes the glen perfectly. It is not a surprise that it inspired beautiful work like this.
Fairy Glen Wales Car Park
You can reach Fairy Glen’s car park via a path from Fairy Glen Hotel to the A470. The small car park is on private land and can be quite tight if there are many cars.
The car park is £1, and you have to pay a £1 per adult/50p per child entry fee. There is also a £1 charge for your dog. There is an honesty box, so you will have to have change with you, as you cannot pay by card. When we last visited, a woman was watching us put our coins in the box!
The closest address to follow is Ffos Anoddun, A5, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0SH. However, it does not take you directly there.
Please follow the Google Map directions here to avoid getting lost. Remember, the glen is on private land, so it will not show up. It is a tight right-hand turn near Fairy Glen Hotel B&B. There is a small brown sign that says ‘Fairy Glen’ but it is very easy to miss it.
Facilities
There are no toilets available at the car park. There is a beautiful picnic area, but there are no bins so you will have to take your rubbish home with you. There is nowhere to buy food or drink, so remember to take water and food with you.
Fairy Glen Walk Wales Details
Distance:1.4 km
Elevation gain: 30 m
Route type: Loop
Walk Directions
You can reach the glen after about 10 minutes walking on the footpath. The signpost will direct you to a fork. From there, you can choose from one of the two routes. Signposted as “Riverside”, the scenic route follows the river through beautiful forest. You can also take the more direct route marked ‘Fairy Glen’, a shorter but not too difficult descent.
It is good to know that you will need to descend some stairs. They are not recommended for all users as they can be steep and slippery in wet conditions. Good hiking boots are recommended.
It usually takes about 20 minutes in total to walk, but you may want to spend longer hanging out at the gorge!
Alternative Way – Fairy Glen from Betws-y-Coed
Total distance: 3.5 Miles
Total time: 2 hours
You can walk to the Fairy Glen gorge from the middle of Betws Y Coed. You will enjoy stunning views of the Fairy Glen gorge, area and River Conwy as you walk along lanes and tracks. You will have to pay an additional £1 fee to walk down the gorge.
You can park at any Betws Y Coed car park to complete this walk!
Top Tips
- Fairy Glen is a straight path that is easy to follow. It can become quite dangerous as you get closer to the gauge. These rocks can become very unstable and difficult to climb up. To avoid falling, wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots. In warm, dry weather, trainers should be ok, but rocks are sometimes slippy.
- There are no public toilets in the area. Before you arrive, make sure you use the bathroom.
- You should bring food and water. If you need to stop for a snack, plenty of picnic benches are available along the riverwalk.
- Take about an hour and enjoy Fairy Glen. We recommend going to Fairy Glen first, then doing the river walk afterwards (it’s a complete loop that takes you back from your starting point).
- Because there are no shops on the site, you will need to bring your water bottle.
- Follow the paths that have been marked for you. As there are steep drops in a gorge, do not veer off the path.
- Picnic benches are nearby if you want to spend more time at the river’s banks. You could also pack a picnic to enjoy a beautiful lunch in the natural setting.
- Fairy Glen Wales welcomes dogs, but they must always be on leads.
Fairy Glen Snowdonia Tripadvisor Reviews
There have been some bad reviews of the site’s owners recently on Tripadvisor, as many people are unhappy that you have to pay to visit.
It is a small fee to visit such beautiful places, and the paths and car park are not maintained. Don’t bother going if you don’t want to pay, as the woman will come out and tell you off. We had the correct change and had no issues. They have commented in the Daily Post that people are visiting and not paying on purpose to annoy the couple and have threatened to shut the place down.
Basically, pay correctly, and you will have no issues, or go to one of the free places instead. The owners approaching you will probably check that you know where you’re going.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the walk at Fairy Glen Secluded Gorge?
The walk usually takes between 20-30 minutes. You will also need to factor in the time you wish to spend at the gorge! We saw some people spend 5-minutes and others.
Do you have to pay for Fairy Glen?
Yes, you have to pay to park, and then you have to pay an entry fee in an honesty box. We found a lot of places like this in Snowdonia, and whilst some see it as unfair, others see it as very little – it is quite subjective. In this case, the paths were well maintained, the route easy to follow, and the place was stunning, so you should do what is best for you.
Is the Fairy Glen walk easy?
It is mostly easy, but there are steep steps to climb down, so be sure to watch your steps, especially after wet weather, as the area can be slippery.
Can you swim in Fairy Glen Gorge?
No, swimming is not permitted in the gorge.
Is the glen dog friendly?
Yes, you can take your dogs, but it is best if you keep them on leads and know that the rocks can be slippery. The land owners also charge money for dogs entering the area.
Where do you park for Fairy Glen?
You can park in a car park in Betws-y-Coed, or on the private land nearby to have a shorter walk.
What can I do nearby?
You can visit some other beautiful waterfalls, including Swallow Falls.
Conwy Falls.
If you love waterfalls, then check out our guides to:
Ceunant Mawr Waterfall
Four Waterfalls Walk in the Brecon Beacons
There you have it, a full guide to visiting. Please let us know if you have any questions and we will get back to you. Have a magical time!
Photo Credits: averagelives.com