At a glance
The longest heritage railway in Wales — 25 miles from Caernarfon through the Aberglaslyn Pass and Beddgelert to Porthmadog, operated with enormous Garratt locomotives. Connects with the Ffestiniog Railway at Porthmadog for the great combined Welsh narrow-gauge journey. Adult return from £45.
About the Welsh Highland Railway
The Welsh Highland Railway runs for 25 miles from Caernarfon in the north to Porthmadog in the south — the longest heritage railway in Wales. The route traverses the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, passing through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the country and including the spectacular Aberglaslyn Pass gorge and the picturesque village of Beddgelert.
The railway operates on the same 2 ft (600 mm) narrow gauge as the Ffestiniog Railway, with which it shares Porthmadog Harbour station and common ownership under Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways. The two together form a combined narrow-gauge network of 38.5 miles — one of the great railway journeys in the world on the narrow gauge.
The Welsh Highland is distinguished by its fleet of Beyer-Garratt articulated steam locomotives — enormous machines originally built for South African railways, now the largest steam locomotives in the UK heritage railway sector. Watching a Garratt storm through the Aberglaslyn Pass tunnel is a remarkable spectacle. The railway was fully restored and reopened from Caernarfon to Porthmadog in 2011 after decades of partial closure.
Journey highlights
- Departure from Caernarfon — The station sits in the shadow of the castle — a 10-minute walk from the castle entrance for a perfect castle-and-railway combination day.
- Beddgelert village — A stop in one of Snowdonia's most picturesque villages — excellent for lunch, riverside walks and the Gelert's Grave legend.
- Aberglaslyn Pass — The highlight — the railway threads through a narrow rocky gorge with river below and cliffs above, passing through a tunnel and over a bridge in the tightest landscape of the journey.
- The Garratt locomotives — Seeing (and hearing) an enormous Garratt articulated locomotive at full power is a genuinely spectacular experience even for non-railway enthusiasts.
- Porthmadog Harbour connection — The journey ends at the Ffestiniog Railway connection — continue by the Ffestiniog to Blaenau for the combined great journey.
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
The Welsh Highland Railway is 25 miles long — the longest heritage railway in Wales — running from Caernarfon in the north to Porthmadog in the south, where it connects with the Ffestiniog Railway at the Harbour station. The full journey from Caernarfon to Porthmadog takes approximately 2 hours.
The Welsh Highland Railway operates the largest steam locomotives in the UK heritage railway sector — Beyer-Garratt articulated locomotives, built for the original South African narrow-gauge network and repatriated to Wales. These enormous machines are an attraction in themselves — their sheer scale on a 2 ft gauge railway is extraordinary.
The Aberglaslyn Pass section is widely considered the highlight — the railway squeezes through a dramatic rocky gorge with the river Glaslyn below and cliffs rising steeply on both sides, passing through a tunnel and over a bridge in quick succession. The section through Beddgelert village, with its picturesque setting at the confluence of two rivers, is also outstanding.
Yes — both railways are operated by Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways and connect at Porthmadog Harbour station. A Freedom of the Railways pass covers both lines. The combined route from Caernarfon to Blaenau Ffestiniog via Porthmadog is one of the great narrow-gauge railway journeys in the world — allow a full day.
Excellent for families — the vintage carriages, dramatic scenery and Garratt locomotives make for a memorable experience. Children under 3 travel free. The Beddgelert stop (a beautiful village about halfway along) is a good option for families wanting a break in the journey, with good walks and refreshments.
The Caernarfon station is at the south end of the town, a 10-minute walk from the castle along the A487 Porthmadog road. It is clearly signposted from the town centre. Free parking is available nearby. The station shares its platform approach with the remains of the Caernarfon branch line.