Beddgelert lies where the Glaslyn and Canoway rivers converge. Its name is derived from a legend that it is the resting place of Gelert, the dog of Prince Llwelyn ap Iorwerth. The story goes: the prince left the dog to guard his child, upon his return he found no baby and the dog's muzzle covered in blood, discovering this he killed the dog. Soon after he found the child hidden, safe and well and a dead wolf nearby. Rushing to his dog, it licked its hand as it died.
The town grew up around the revenue and jobs created by the Sygun Copper Mine, this a now disused mine, is now open to tour. There is a lovely walk along one side of the river running though the Aberglaslyn Gorge. This leads to Pont Aberglaslyn and passes Gelert's Grave and is a picturesque example of the rugged terrain typical to the area.
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