Seven Lovely Walks from Llwyngwril
The Wales Coast Walk was officially opened on the 5th of May but you don’t have to walk hundreds of miles to appreciate the beauty of the Welsh countryside. The local area around Llwyngwril is riddled with interesting and varied footpaths. Here are a few to try.
The Blue Lake
Take the road that curves round behind the Garthangarad pub in Llwyngwril and continue to climb in a north-east direction until you reach the Blue Lake in the old disused quarries above Friog. (You really need a detailed map to actually find it though!) Options here are to carry on to Fairbourne to catch the train back or walk back along the beach to Llwyngwril (as long as the tide’s out!). The longer version will take about 4 hours and is roughly 5-6 miles. This is not ideal with young children. Alternatively you can park in Friog and take the first road right you come to, walk about half a mile along that road until you come to a gate on your right. Follow the zig zag road up until you come to a flat area and look for a tunnel through the rock on your left (not easy to spot!). Take care going through the tunnel. It'll be full of puddles and is not very high. It's only about 20 metres long though and you'll be rewarded by the sight of the Blue Lake immediately after the end of the tunnel.
Map 47 from the Wales Coast Path covers this walk and we have laminated copies available at Pentre Bach.
Cregennan Lakes
Drive back towards Dolgellau but look out for a sign on the left, after Arthog, directing you to Cregennan Lakes. The road is steep ,windy and gated with at least 2 gates to be opened by a passenger. There’s a National Trust car park (with honesty box and toilets that are open occasionally!) that never has more than 4 cars in it. The lakes are spectacularly beautiful , backed by the ridge that eventually becomes Cader Idris. There are numerous walks in and around these lakes all covered by our OS maps available in the cottages. Make sure that you climb the little hill behind the car park to look at the brilliant view down to the Mawddach Estuary.
The Mawddach Trail
Park in Morfa Mawddach station car park (free!). Here you can walk over the railway bridge to Barmouth (you used to have to pay a 90p toll but not any more as the bridge I'd now part of the Wales coastal path!) The views from the bridge along the Mawddach Estuary are stunning.Enjoy the delights of Barmouth and walk back again, or catch the train, or even the little passenger ferry across the harbour!).
Alternatively you could walk in the other direction to Dolgellau , with a refreshment stop at The George III pub at Penmaenpool by the wooden toll bridge. Its about 6 miles to Dolgellau from this car park.
You could always walk over the bridge, hire a bike, cycle to Dolgellau and back, then walk back across the bridge.
The Precipice Walk
Start from Saithgroesfford car park, Llanfachreth (SH 746 212) and set off left then very soon left again until you come to the lake. Here you can go in either direction in a circular walk around the route. At the furthermost point, the views down the Mawddach Estuary are uncomparable. There’s not much uphill walking but the path can be tricky with steep drops in some places. Its about 3 miles long and takes about 2 hours. We have laminated maps of the walk.
The Torrent Walk
A fairy-tale walk along a moss encrusted ravine.This walk starts in a lay-by near the village of Brithdir on the B4416. This circular walk follows the river Clywedog down through the striking gorge and is much more spectacular after rain. When you reach the road at the bottom, turn right and walk over the bridge. Keep to your right at the fork until you reach a signpost. Follow the path back up through the ravine and back to the lay-by. This walk is about 2 and a half miles and takes 1-2 hours.
The Panorama Walk
You can park in Barmouth or at Morfa Mawddach station car park and walk across the bridge before starting. After you get across the bridge, turn left and head towards the town, look for a steep set of steps on your right. Follow the footpath signs to the Panorama viewpoint where you can sit for a while and wonder of the view over the estuary.
There are a number of different variations of this walk .
A short walk can be taken by parking in a nearby car park. There are other longer versions for the more energetic.
We have laminated copies and maps of this walk.
Dolgoch Falls
Starts and finishes at the Dolgoch Hotel on the B4405 between Bryncrug and Abergynolwyn in the Tal-y-Llyn valley. You have to park in a pay and display car park.
This is a short (about 1 hour) walk that can be steep in places and you’re rewarded with a lovely picnic spot at the top. If you like mosses, ferns and cascading water, you’ll love this walk.
Tea room at the bottom!
For more walks see
http://pentrebach.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/panorma-walk-and-lot-more.html
and also http://pentrebach.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/more-lovely-walks-around-llwyngwril-in.html
