The pass is a beautiful narrow gorge beginning one mile south of Beddgelert.
Until the early 19th century, before the Cob at Portmadoc was built, the River Glaslyn was navigable for small boats at high tide, as far as the Aberglaslyn Bridge. The Fisherman's Path through the pass was used as a route to the coast, but it became impassable through erosion by the river.
Later in the 19th century there were several schemes for the construction of a railway to Beddgelert, and there are several abandoned old railway workings in the pass. The longest tunnel was first built in 1906. Eventually a railway was opened in 1922, but it was closed in 1937 and the rails were removed for War Department use in 1941.
In 2000, the Welsh Highland Railway began rebuilding the railway, and along with the National Trust which owns the surrounding land, rebuilt the Fisherman's Path for use again.