River Llugwy

The River Llugwy rises in Ffynnon Llugwy, a mountain lake in the Carneddau range of Snowdonia. It flows south-east then turns north-west to join the River Conwy near Betws-y-Coed. Along its course it passes through Capel Curig and plunges over Swallow Falls. The river also runs beside the main street in Betws-y-Coed before its final meeting with the Conwy. Artists of the 19th century admired the Llugwy’s banks and waterfalls. Frederick William Hulme painted the scenery repeatedly. The river appears in works shown at the Royal Academy. In 1876 James William Whittaker drowned while retrieving his painting gear from the Llugwy. Visitors follow the A5 alongside the river through Capel Curig. Swallow Falls draws walkers to its roaring cascade. Miner’s Bridge, a steep wooden footbridge, crosses the Llugwy in Betws-y-Coed. Pont-y-pair road bridge spans the river near the village centre. The final stretch runs beside the golf course before the Llugwy joins the Conwy.