Gelert's Grave Dog Walk | Tanronnen Inn, Beddgelert | Gwynedd
A proper dog day out
A Welsh village named for a legendary dog, a peaceful riverside circuit, and a pub happy to welcome four-legged visitors inside. This one is short on mileage but rich in story, with the River Glaslyn doing much of the scenery work.
At a glance
- Where: Beddgelert, Gwynedd, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.
- Walk: National Trust Gelert's Grave circular, 1 mile (1.6 km).
- Allow: 40 minutes to 1 hour walking, with extra time to read the memorial and enjoy the village.
- Difficulty: Easy; a defined riverbank path suitable for a wide range of walkers, with gates and footbridges.
- Start and finish: Beddgelert village, LL55 4YA (National Trust route postcode). The mapped walk starts and finishes at the footbridge over the River Glaslyn, south of the village centre.
- Parking and sat-nav: Cae Morys public car park, LL55 4YW. Walk to the footbridge to begin the National Trust's 1-mile circuit; allow a little extra distance to and from parking.
- Pub: Tanronnen Inn, Beddgelert Village, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4YB; in the village, a short walk from the trail.
The walk
Follow the National Trust's eight-stage loop beside the River Glaslyn, through field paths to the memorial of Gelert, then back along the opposite riverbank and over footbridges. Legend tells of Prince Llywelyn mistaking his loyal hound for a killer, before discovering the dog had saved his child from a wolf. It is a story, not an established historical event, and a fitting one to discover with a dog by your side. The short route also passes the church of St Mary and views of the confluence area. Stay with the official circular route rather than wandering down the far more demanding Aberglaslyn gorge path.
See the mapped Gelert's grave route and directions. Follow this specific route rather than relying on this article for turn-by-turn navigation.
What dog owners should know
- Dog control: National Trust permits dogs but asks owners to keep them under control and on leads around livestock.
- River: Stay on the marked riverbank path, keep dogs out of powerful flows, and exercise care when banks are wet.
- Access: National Trust describes this walk as suitable for wheelchairs, with a defined footpath; do not confuse it with the steep gorge walks nearby.
- Parking and toilets: There is no National Trust car park in Beddgelert itself. Village parking is separate; public toilets are available near the lane past Ty Isaf shop by the bridge. Check local parking signs.
- Village: Use a lead in the village and around other visitors; take waste home if bins are unavailable.
Back to the pub: Tanronnen Inn
The Tanronnen Inn's official website explicitly says dogs are welcome in the bar areas, and that dog treats and ice cream are offered. There is one crucial detail: the inn currently does not serve food prepared on site. It says guests may bring a takeaway from the nearby Prince Llewelyn Hotel. So come for a dog-welcoming drink, and check takeaway arrangements if you're planning lunch.
Our suggestion: visit the inn's current food information before planning a meal; its bar welcome is verified, but an on-site pub kitchen is not.
Check Tanronnen Inn's current information before setting off.
Before you set off
Look at the National Trust route map, local weather and river conditions before setting out. This is a short circular in Beddgelert, not the challenging Aberglaslyn trail. Keep dogs controlled around wildlife, fields and footbridges.
Explore more dog days out
Find similar walks: Dog Pub Walks · Short Walk · Easy · Riverside · Wildlife · History
Popular with Bounce & Bella customers
A few favourites for your next adventure.
Guide sources reviewed: 28 October 2026. Mapped route, distance, access and dog guidance: National Trust. Pub and dog policy: Tanronnen Inn official site, including its dog policy and no-on-site-food notice. This is a planning companion, not a substitute for the official map or present-day notices.
Photograph: River Glaslyn, Beddgelert by Dave Green / Geograph Britain and Ireland, licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-SA 2.0. Via Wikimedia Commons.
