Ffestiniog Railway — Porthmadog to Blaenau
Board one of the world's oldest narrow-gauge steam railways at Porthmadog and ride 13.5 miles of breathtaking Welsh landscape all the way up to Blaenau Ffestiniog — crossing the Cob causeway with the whole Snowdonia range laid out ahead of you, then climbing into the rugged Moelwyn mountains. It is one of the finest train journeys in Britain, full stop.
The Journey
The Ffestiniog Railway originally carried slate from the quarries down to the port at Porthmadog, and the line still follows that historic route in reverse. The train crosses the Cob, a mile-long embankment across the Glaslyn estuary, giving a sweeping panorama of Snowdonia's peaks reflected in the tidal flats below — have your camera ready from the first minute.
The line then climbs steadily through woodland and open moorland, past the Tanygrisiau reservoir and into the slate-scarred landscape surrounding Blaenau. The whole journey takes around an hour each way, and every mile of it earns its keep scenically.
History & Heritage
The Ffestiniog Railway dates to 1836, making it one of the oldest surviving railway companies in the world. It was restored by volunteers from the 1950s onwards after a period of closure — one of the great grassroots heritage railway success stories in the UK.
At Porthmadog, the railway connects with the Welsh Highland Railway, which runs north through the Aberglaslyn Pass and on to Caernarfon — meaning you can combine both lines for a spectacular full-day loop through the heart of Gwynedd.
Tips for the Best Experience
Bag a seat on the right-hand side of the carriage travelling from Porthmadog for the best estuary views on the Cob crossing. The open observation car, available in summer, is the premium spot for photographers.
You can also arrive in Blaenau by mainline train via the Conwy Valley line from Llandudno Junction — a gorgeous run up a wooded river valley — and then use the Ffestiniog Railway for the return journey to the coast, making a neat circular day trip.
Ffestiniog Railway — Porthmadog to Blaenau on video
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