- Distance:
- 10km / 6.2miles, allow 3-3.5hrs
- Grade:
- Strenuous with some steep climbs
- Summary:
- Riverside, moor and forest, views and Ty Mawr
The Route
1. From the station, turn right along the minor road and continue ahead as the road gradually turns into a track, walking with the river on left and railway on right. Go through gate and past cottages on right. Bear right to cross under the railway then bear left along the track. Continue ahead, passing Pont Y Pant station and continue ahead along the lane past Plas Hall Hotel. At the entrance to Lledr Hall Outdoor Centre continue ahead on a narrow path then bear right crossing the stream and left along the riverside, now walking with railway on the right. Follow the path with a stonewall on the left, going through a metal gate and a wooden gate soon after. Turn left and walk through woodland above the river gorge (can be boggy). Cross a ladder stile and continue along the riverside path to Tan-aeldroch farm.
2. After the house turn right over a ladder stile, signed Penmachno. When the path joins the road turn right and continue for about 1km, climbing steeply at first, until you reach Ty Mawr*. From Ty Mawr retrace your steps through the first gate.
3. Turn sharply left onto a path between stonewalls. Go through a gate and continue on the path bearing left up the hillside. Cross a forest track at a staggered junction and continue on the natural path, signed Dolwyddelan. Continue climbing slowly with an old stone wall on the right. Cross a second forest track and continue to eventually cross a ladder stile onto open land. Follow a meandering natural path for 1km across the wet moorland. Cross a stile into the forest and follow the path ahead (can be boggy). Bear right where marked and continue downhill towards a field gate. Turn left along a natural path just above the gate, walking along the forest edge with a stonewall on the right. Cross a stream and continue ahead. Cross a second small stream and continue past an old quarry face on the right.Walk between stone pillars and descend down a steep narrow path. This is the remains of an incline down which the laden slate trucks were moved from the quarry.
4. Turn left onto a forest road and crossing gate/stile. Continue on the road, gradually descending. Cross a ladder stile/ gate and continue past housing into the village. Turn right over the bridge and right back to the station car park.
* To continue to Penmachno follow the lane for about 3km first climbing, then slowly descending into the village.
Walking Advice
Brief route directions are given but it is essential that you also take an OS 1:25000 Explorer map, as few routes are fully waymarked. Routes that cross the moorland need particular care and good map-reading skills.
Please follow the country code and make sure you keep dogs under control, particularly near livestock.
Rough distances are given in the routes directions. As a guide allow 15 kilometers per kilometer walking at an easy pace on the flat but allow an extra ascent(roughly 1 minute per 10m of ascent). Overall timings for the walk are s are generous, allowing time for stops.
Equipment
Walks require walking shoes and warterproof clothing and always take food and water. Some routes through the forest and moor can be very boggy.
Please be aware that this booklet was made in early 2008 and many of the routes are in a working forest and paths may inevitably change. If you know of any changes that have taken place to these routes or would like to add any extra information regarding these routes please contactmentersiabod@directsave.net
Copies of the booklet are available to purchase from the Community Pavilion and Siop y Llan Dolwyddelan, The Eagles Penmachno, Shell Garage and Tourist Information Centre Betws-y-Coed. Please note that all funds raised are put back into footpath maintenance in Penmachno and Dolwyddelan. For more information contactmentersiabod@directsave.net
This post is also available in: Welsh