The Great Little Trains of Snowdonia: Riding the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways

Two of the world's most magical heritage railways meet in Snowdonia - the Ffestiniog and the Welsh Highland. Discover both narrow-gauge steam lines, how to combine them, and how to ride from right beside BrynEscape.

LOCAL AREA AND DAY TRIPS

Natalie

10/1/2026

Vintage steam train emitting smoke in a misty mountain landscape

Few things capture the romance of Snowdonia quite like a little steam train winding its way through the mountains. And this corner of Wales is blessed with two of the very finest heritage railways in the world — the Ffestiniog and the Welsh Highland — running as sister lines from the coastal town of Porthmadog. Together they offer some of the most spectacular rail journeys anywhere in Britain, and both are an easy adventure from BrynEscape.

Here's your guide to riding them both.

The Ffestiniog Railway: from the mountains to the sea

The Ffestiniog Railway is the grand old lady of narrow-gauge railways — the oldest surviving railway company in the world, dating back to 1832, when it was built to carry slate down from the quarries of Blaenau Ffestiniog to the ships at Porthmadog.

Today it carries passengers instead, climbing (or descending) 13 miles through gloriously varied scenery: past Tanygrisiau reservoir just below the cottage, through the Moelwyn mountains, around the remarkable Dduallt spiral — the only railway spiral in the UK — and down through wooded valleys to the coast. Because it runs from Blaenau Ffestiniog, just minutes from BrynEscape, it's the one you can hop aboard almost from the doorstep.

We've written all about it — tickets, best seats and what to expect — in our full guide to the Ffestiniog Railway.

The Welsh Highland Railway: the epic one

If the Ffestiniog is the historic gem, the Welsh Highland Railway is the epic. At 25 miles from Porthmadog to Caernarfon, it's the longest heritage railway in the UK — a proper mountain journey hauled by mighty Garratt locomotives, some of the most powerful narrow-gauge engines ever built.

The scenery is simply staggering. The line skirts the very foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), passes through the pretty village of Beddgelert, and threads the breathtaking Aberglaslyn Pass — often voted one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of the UK — before arriving at Caernarfon, in the shadow of its mighty castle. It's a bucket-list ride.

Two railways, one glorious day

Here's the clever part: the two lines meet at Porthmadog Harbour station, so you can combine them. Ride the Ffestiniog down from Blaenau to Porthmadog, then continue on the Welsh Highland all the way to Caernarfon — a magnificent 40-mile journey right across Snowdonia by steam, mountains to castles, with combined tickets available. It's one of the great days out in Wales.

Prefer to keep it simple? Each railway is a wonderful outing in its own right.

Which railway should you choose?

Short on time, or want the doorstep option? Take the Ffestiniog from Blaenau — you can start close to the cottage and be riding within minutes.
After the most jaw-dropping scenery? The Welsh Highland through Beddgelert and the Aberglaslyn Pass is hard to beat.
Travelling with children? Both are a hit — the sight, sound and smell of a real steam train is pure magic at any age. Bring snacks and grab a window seat.
Want the full epic? Do both, Blaenau to Caernarfon, and make a day of it.

Riding from BrynEscape

Staying in Tanygrisiau puts you at the mountain end of the Ffestiniog line, so the classic plan is to board at Blaenau Ffestiniog and let the train carry you down to the coast — leaving the car at the cottage and avoiding any parking hassle. From Porthmadog you can pick up the Welsh Highland, explore the harbour town (see our guide to things to do in Porthmadog), or head off on other adventures — our 5 perfect day trips from Blaenau Ffestiniog shows how it all links up.

A few practical notes: both railways run seasonally, with extra magic laid on at certain times of year — autumn colour, Santa specials at Christmas and more — so check the official Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways website for current timetables, fares and events, and book ahead in busy periods. Carriages are heated and covered, so a bit of Welsh weather is no obstacle at all.

All aboard

Two historic railways, one extraordinary mountain landscape, and a warm cottage to come home to at the end of the line. Whether you ride one or both, the Great Little Trains of Snowdonia are an experience you won't forget.

Ready to ride?

Check availability and book your stay at BrynEscape, Tanygrisiau — the perfect base for the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways.

How to Say the Welsh Names

Rheilffordd — Rhail-forth — Welsh for "railway"
Eryri — Eh-ruh-ree — the Welsh name for Snowdonia National Park
Tanygrisiau — Tan-uh-griss-ee-eye — "beneath the steps," the village that's home to BrynEscape
Beddgelert — Beth-gel-ert — the pretty village on the Welsh Highland line
Aberglaslyn — Ab-er-glass-lin — the spectacular pass the railway threads through
Caernarfon — Kai-nar-von — the castle town at the end of the Welsh Highland Railway