Beddgelert is one of Snowdonia's prettiest small bases, a stone village where the Glaslyn and Colwyn rivers meet below Moel Hebog. It has enough charm for a slow hour, but the real reason to come is how much good walking and railway scenery starts almost at the bridge.
The village trades heavily on the legend of Gelert, the faithful hound supposedly buried just outside the centre. The story is more folklore than hard history, but the riverside walk to the grave is still a fine introduction to the place. Beyond it, paths run into Aberglaslyn Gorge, Cwm Bychan, Llyn Dinas, and the old copper country around Sygun.
Beddgelert works well as a quieter Snowdonia stop than Llanberis or Betws-y-Coed. It is small, but the combination of mountain setting, narrow-gauge railway, legend, and gorge walking easily fills a day.