Afon Glaslyn

This article is about the river. For the lake, seeGlaslyn.

Afon Glaslyn(Welshfor 'River Glaslyn') is ariverinGwynedd,north-westWales.While not of great significance in terms of its length (about 16 miles (26 km)), it is one of Gwynedd's primary rivers, and has greatly influenced the landscape in which it flows.

Afon Glaslyn
Glaslyn Gorge
Location
Country	Wales
Counties	Gwynedd
Towns	Porthmadog
Villages	Beddgelert
Physical characteristics
Source	Glaslyn
• coordinates	53°4′14″N4°3′58″W
Mouth	Tremadog Bay
Length	16 miles
Basin features
Tributaries
• right	Afon Colwyn
Waterbodies	Llyn Llydaw Llyn Gwynant Llyn Dinas Llyn Bach
Bridges	Pont Aberglaslyn Pont Croesor Pont Britannia

It has its source inGlaslyn,acirquelake on the flanks ofSnowdon.It is joined by Nant Traswnant which drainsPen-y-Passand byNant Cynnydbefore entering a lake,Llyn Gwynant.The river then flows throughLlyn Dinasbefore entering the village ofBeddgelert.In the middle of the village it is joined by the substantialtributary,theRiver Colwynwhich drains the south-western flank of Snowdon. The much enlarged river flows down pastGelert's grave before tumbling down into theAberglaslyn Pass.This is a small rockygorgeclose to the main road which provides easy public access to a most picturesque piece ofSnowdonianscenery.

Passing throughPont Aberglaslyn,the river emerges from the gorge into the relatively flat agricultural land ofTremadogandPorthmadog.This wide flat valley – now calledTraeth Mawr– was once theestuaryof the Glaslyn before the Porthmadog Cob was created. This sealed off the mouth of the estuary, enabling the land to be reclaimed. Once the river has crossed under the railway line, itmeandersin large pools andmarshesbefore eventually passing through the tidal sluices on the Cob at the south-eastern end of the town of Porthmadog, and from there intoTremadog Bay.Further south, theRiver Dwyrydalso drains into Tremadog Bay.

The first pair of breedingospreysin Wales nest at Pont Croesor about 4 miles (6.4 km) upstream from Porthmadog where theRSPBhave set up observation facilities.They first bred in 2005 and have returned every year since.

Fishing on the Glaslyn up to Beddgelert is controlled by the Glaslyn Angling Association.

See also

• Aberglaslyn Hall

External links

• www.geograph.co.uk: photos of Afon Glaslyn