Horse riding in Eryri

Most bridleways are accessible year-round, but please stick to the designated legal routes. In spring, be aware of livestock such as sheep with lambs, cattle with calves, and feral goats, and exercise due care. If you have permission to ride on open access land, take care to avoid areas with ground-nesting birds between 1 March and 30 July.

Eryri National Park offers 1,377 kilometres of paths open to horse riding, though their condition varies across the area. These routes cross diverse terrain, with some more suitable for riding than others. Many are historic tracks, including the Old A5 in Ogwen and Sarn Helen. A popular and well-suited route is Lôn Gwyrfai, a 4½-mile off-road trail between Beddgelert and Rhyd Ddu. Please note that parking at both ends is pay-and-display.

Bridleways are waymarked with blue arrows on a white background, but we strongly recommend carrying an Ordnance Survey map. Keep your map in a protective case, mark your route beforehand, and bring a compass and whistle. Check your direction regularly and use landmarks to stay on track. On OS maps, bridleways are shown with a longer dashed line.

Soft, boggy ground is the most common hazard. Watch for dark, wet peat and avoid bright green mossy areas. If your horse sinks, dismount immediately and help them free themselves. On untracked ground, follow sheep paths and steer clear of red-tinged grasses, which indicate boggy areas. Cotton grass is another sign of unsafe ground. For more guidance, please visit the British Horse Society website.

• Ground-feeding birds such as grouse, snipe, and woodcock can startle horses.

• Loose scree and rock slabs may be tricky and offer limited traction, especially for shod horses. Dismount and lead if necessary.

• High winds and poor visibility can make riding dangerous. Check the forecast beforehand and be prepared to turn back.

• Exercise care in forestry areas, where limited visibility may bring you into sudden contact with cyclists or mountain bikers on shared tracks.

• Our promoted horse routes have sufficient trailer and horsebox parking for easy loading and unloading at car parks; however, please note that there are no designated spaces specifically for this purpose.

• Leave gates as you find them, and ensure your vehicle is not blocking access.

• The “Heels to Hinges” method is recommended as the safest way to negotiate a gate on horseback.

• Limited space around a gate—due to posts, positioning, or overgrown vegetation—may make the “Heels to Hinges” method impractical. If a gate is unsafe or unsuitable, please report it below.

Reporting a problem on a Public Right of Way