Ogwen

Ogwen commonly refers to the River Ogwen (Afon Ogwen) and the adjacent Ogwen Valley in Gwynedd, North Wales. The river rises from Llyn Ogwen in Snowdonia's Nant Ffrancon Pass, and flows generally north-west through the Ogwen Valley, past the town of Bethesda, to reach the Menai Strait at Aberogwen, near Bangor. The valley is a glaciated trough forming part of Snowdonia National Park, flanked by peaks such as Tryfan and the Glyderau.

The area has a long industrial history, notably slate quarrying centered on Bethesda in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with several quarries and tramways in the landscape. In modern times the valley is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, with routes and facilities for walking, scrambling and rock climbing. The Ogwen Cottage, operated by the National Trust, serves as a visitor hub and base for access to nearby mountains; the Nant Ffrancon Pass is a key route for hikers heading into the central Snowdonia massif.

The name Ogwen is Welsh; Afon Ogwen simply translates to Ogwen River. The river and valley are important local features, contributing to the region’s landscape, ecology, and tourism.