Betws-y-Coed is genuinely excellent for dogs. The village sits surrounded by an enormous network of walking trails, and most of them are well suited to dogs of all sizes and ages. Gwydyr Forest is the standout choice: miles of wide forest tracks and narrower paths where dogs can run freely, encounter interesting smells in every direction and enjoy stream crossings without serious hazard. The forest is shared with cyclists on the Marin Trail sections, so keep dogs under close control on waymarked cycling routes where riders can appear quickly and silently.
The riverside path from Pont-y-Pair to Swallow Falls is a firm favourite with dog owners — the Llugwy gives dogs a river to wade and paddle in all the way, and the 40-minute walk is easy enough for older dogs. Dogs must be on leads along the roadside sections near the A5 and in the village centre itself.
One walk to approach with caution is Fairy Glen. The gorge is spectacular but the path involves steep drops to the water below and narrow ledges where a dog going after a scent at the wrong moment could come to serious harm. The terrain makes rescue extremely difficult. Dogs on leads throughout, and even then this is a walk where nervous owners should think carefully before bringing a large enthusiastic animal.
The River Llugwy below Pont-y-Pair is a popular spot for dogs on a warm day. The pools downstream of the bridge are calmer than the rapids under the bridge itself, and dogs can enter and exit the water easily from the gravel banks. Keep them well clear of the fast water in the channel directly beneath the bridge and in high-water periods after rain. The pools below are popular with people wild swimming too in summer — be considerate of other users. Dogs paddling in the river are a completely normal sight in Betws-y-Coed and nobody is likely to object.
Several pubs and cafes in the village welcome dogs, particularly those with outdoor seating or bar areas. The Pont-y-Pair Inn is generally dog-friendly in the bar. Y Stablau (The Stables) also welcomes dogs. Many of the outdoor gear shops along the high street allow dogs inside, which makes for an unusually dog-accommodating shopping experience. Check at busy times whether outdoor tables are available, as some cafes prefer dogs to stay outside.
Snowdonia National Park contains working farmland and open grazing throughout. Dogs must be kept on leads wherever livestock — particularly sheep — are present or nearby. This applies even if your dog is well-behaved: sheep react to the sight of any dog and worrying livestock is a serious offence. In Gwydyr Forest, livestock occasionally graze in open areas between the trees. In the upland sections above the forest, sheep are present year-round. The rule is simple: if you can see sheep, or you are on or near open farmland, leads on.
The main car park near the station has no specific dog facilities but is close to the riverbank and the Pont-y-Pair path. The Swallow Falls car park on the A5 is useful for walking directly to the falls without passing through the village. Most other car parks and lay-bys throughout the Conwy Valley are perfectly adequate for dog owners starting a walk. For a full day with a dog, bring a water bowl and enough water for the day — though the rivers and streams are abundant and dogs will find their own.
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