The Welsh Highland Railway (WHR) or Rheilffordd Eryri, runs 25 miles from Porthmadog to Caernarfon on the north-west coast of Wales, making it the UKs longest heritage railway. It’s also arguably the most scenic railway in Wales, taking in the Aberglaslyn Pass, Beddgelert, the foot of Snowdon, Llyn Cwellyn, before arriving back on the coast in Caernarfon and it’s majestic castle.
The Welsh Highland Railway at Aberglaslyn
You can travel in comfortable third-class or luxurious Pullman carriages (plus an observation carriage). Each full one-way trip from Porthmadog takes around 2 hours 15 minutes with a stop of around 1 hour 15 minutes in Caernarfon. There are two full return trips per day in peak season and one in off-season (please check their website at festrail.co.uk for a full timetable).
Salem from The Welsh Highland Railway
The line originally ran from Porthmadog to Dinas near Caernarfon, the extension being built on the trackbed of the former standard gauge railway. The trains run on a single track line with passing loops at Pont Croesor (the Glaslyn Osprey viewing centre), Beddgelert, Rhyd Ddu, Waunfawr and Dinas.
Llyn Cwellyn from The Welsh Highland Railway
There are currently five steam locomotives running on the WHR.
Map showing all The Great Little Trains of Wales
