Walks And Walking – Wales Walks Snowdonia Betws-y-Coed Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Wales Walks Snowdonia Betws-y-Coed Walking Route

This walking route is one from the archives. We had an amazing week in Snowdonia back in March 2010 and after a couple of days walking up Mount Snowdon via the Llanberis Path, the Miners and Pig (PYG) Tracks, the walk of my life in Coed y Brenin Forest Park, some scenic walking routes around Porthmadog and Portmeirion we were due to have a family day out in Betws-y-Coed.

Walks And Walking – Wales Walks Snowdonia Betws-y-Coed Walking Route – Afon Llugwy river

However, on the way to Betws-y-Coed I happened to notice Swallow Falls wasn’t too far away so I managed to negotiate myself a little detour from the rest of the family with the promise of joining up again at the famous Ty-hyll, the Ugly House. Leaving Betws-y-Coed I headed out west to the Miners Bridge where I crossed over and continued along the main footpath west following the Afon Llugwy river. I continued to follow the tracks keeping the river close to my left hand side at all times through the woodlands all the way to Swallow Falls. It wasn’t a difficult path to follow so there is no real need to write the walk out in any detail. At Swallow Falls we took a few photographs and then all walked back passed The Towers Outdoor Pursuits Centre to the Ty-hyll, jumped in the car and all went home happy!

Walks And Walking – Wales Walks Snowdonia Betws-y-Coed Walking Route – Swallow Falls

Walks And Walking – Wales Walks Snowdonia Betws-y-Coed Walking Route – Behind Ty Hyll – The Ugly House

More about Betws-y-Coed.

Betws-y-Coed lies in the Snowdonia National Park, in a valley near the point where the River Conwy is joined by the River Llugwy and the River Lledr, and was founded around a monastery in the late sixth century. Construction of Betws-y-Coed railway station in 1868 heralded the arrival of the railway line from Llandudno Junction railway station, and resulted in the village’s population increasing but now it is just a great place to stop off and have a wander around the shops that are shrouded by some beautiful Welsh scenery.

Walks And Walking – Wales Walks Snowdonia Betws-y-Coed Walking Route – Snowdrops along the Afon Llugwy river

More about the Ugly House.

Despite its unusual name, it is far from being an ‘ugly house’ and although the true origins of the Ugly House remain shrouded in mystery, legend tells us that it was a crude house built in the 15th century by two outlaw brothers. It was a ‘Ty Un Nos’ – or house built overnight.

Walks And Walking – Wales Walks Snowdonia Betws-y-Coed Walking Route -Ty Hyll – The Ugly House

Walks And Walking – Wales Walks Coed y Brenin Forest Park Snowdonia

Walks And Walking – Wales Walks Coed y Brenin Forest Park

I was reminiscing about an old walk that has always stuck in my mind as the most daring and probably most ill-advised walk I have ever completed. We were staying in Porthmadog in March 2010 and having completed Snowdon twice, Llanberis on the first ascent and then the Miners and PYG tracks on the second, I was feeling like quite the adventurer and wanted to experience what else the awesome Snowdonia National Park had to offer.

I found a walking route in the Coed y Brenin Forest Park which looked great but noticed that a few miles further out there was a waterfall. My plan was to get dropped off on the A494, I can’t remember exactly where now as my memory has faded but it may have been near Pant Gwyn on the way to Bala, see the waterfall and make my way to a footbridge to cross over the river to join the walk I had found. I was then going to cross straight through Coed y Brenin before joining the A4971 back to Porthmadog, roughly 15 plus miles distance in total.

Walks And Walking – Wales Walks Coed y Brenin Forest Park – The view from Porthmadog

I didn’t write the walk up afterwards as I got lost. My map reading skills were pretty bad early on so didn’t know which way I was going for most of the walk anyway and I have to admit for a few hours I was really panicking…. I’m so glad that I took quite a few photographs.

As I remember it I got dropped off by a footpath signpost and thought the waterfall would be along the river somewhere. However, the track I was following then started to head away from the river in the opposite direction so I thought that maybe it wasn’t going to take me to the waterfall after all. I kept to the river and started my way through quite thick forestry thinking I would probably find another track. As I climbed steadily up I made my own pathway along the edge of what was starting to feel like a ravine and with a unpenetrable pine forest above me.

Walks And Walking – Wales Walks Coed y Brenin Forest Park – Looking down the ravine

My path ahead was now getting narrower and narrower as the ravine and pine forest were starting to meet. At one stage I was climbing up slippery damp moss-covered rocks that were very unstable underfoot. It was at this point that I actually thought I was in serious trouble. However, I was too determined to go back the way I came so I continued my climb thinking I would, at some point, have to jump into the river and hope for the best, swimming over to the other side which wasn’t anywhere near as steep.

Walks And Walking – Wales Walks Coed y Brenin Forest Park – Unpenetrable pine forest

Just when I was about to strip off and go all Bear Grylls I picked up an animal trail and carefully followed it all the way down to the river. Just ahead I could see the footbridge across the river that I needed to get to, crossed it and walked up the wooden steps to the top of the hill, sat down and thought I was going to pass out. I have never felt adrenalin like it before, Snowdon was exhilarating but this was a feeling of fear and relief all rolled into one.

Walks And Walking – Wales Walks Coed y Brenin Forest Park – Looking back from the footbridge

The view from my seat was amazing and for the rest of the walk I was able to relax and really enjoy the beautiful Welsh countryside. The walking route in the Coed y Brenin Forest Park followed disused and used railway tracks and there were some great views of Snowdonia National Park along the way. I then followed the estuary back to Porthmadog on the pathway that runs parallel to the railway line.

Walks And Walking – Wales Walks Coed y Brenin Forest Park – View from my seat

For more information on Coed y Brenin Forest Park click here.

Walks And Walking: Porthmadog Wales Walking Route

Walks And Walking: Porthmadog Wales Walking Route

Porthmadog Walking Route

Porthmadog is a very beautiful area for walking routes and a central location for walks and walking in Snowdonia. In the Spring of 2010 I walked around the Porthmadog walking route which included the fantastic harbour, Ffestiniog Railway and the Afon Glaslyn.

Porthmadog Harbour Wales

Just by the bridge there is the Tourist Information Centre which was the start of my walk. I continued up the road away from the river to the roundabout signposted Tremadog A487. I turned left at the roundabout up the road past the church on my left and then cutting in to the forest path on my left opposite the Snowdonia Press and a small retail park.

It was then a short but quite steep climb up through trees to a ladder stile again climbing straight up to the top of the hill to join another pathway where I turned left to a viewpoint where the path then went downhill veering right and then left to the caravan park on my right.

Walking along the road by the caravan park I joined the road heading downwards towards the main road where I turned right at the junction and veered left on to the minor road before turning left at the footpath sign. I then walked through a gate to the next one before walking along a fence on my left hand side.

By the next gate I was at the seafront by Borth-y-Gest where I turned left to cross the road and walk up the path steps with the road on my right. I then continued to walk ahead until I reached the road by Afon Glaslyn looking out to the sea to find the Cei Ballast Island on my right. I then followed the natural path until I returned back to the start.

I then walked back to the pub that advertised crab sandwiches and popped in for one complimented by a pint of the local ale feeling quite content at covering quite a light walk at nearly 3 miles and only taking me just over an hour to work up an appetite for some very good beer!

I recommend buying your walking clothes, walking boots and walking accessories for all types of walking routes from these highly reputable online retailers found in the Walks And Walking Shop

Walks And Walking: Wales Walking Routes; Portmeirion Village Walks

Walks And Walking: Wales Walking Routes; Portmeirion Village Walks

Portmeirion Village is an extremely interesting Italian Hill Village on the Welsh coast and offers great walking routes and also surprisingly close to all hill walks and mountain walking in Snowdonia. In the Spring of 2010 I walked around a short walking route which included Minffordd, Ffestiniog Railway, Afon Dwyryd and the Portmeirion Lighthouse.

Italian Hill Village, Portmeirion Lake, Wales, Welsh Coast

From the Portmeirion car park I walked away from the village to a sign for the footpath to the main road eventually crossing the road on this pathway before I turned right to follow the road. After a short while I reached a footpath that took me to the estuary where I turned left at a T-junction to reach a main road which I crossed to a minor road crossing the Ffestiniog Railway to reach another T- junction.

Turning left along a minor road where I then turn right down a main road to reach the Boston Lodge Halt. I then found a bridleway and walked beside the railway line which I crossed at the level crossing to climb a stile and then curving to the right I took the left hand fork and climbed up the track and through a gate to another gate to cross a farm road and continued along the rough track.

I then walked through the opening in the tall stone wall to continue through another similar wall before turning right at the ladder stile to cross another stile to return to the car park. With the entrance to Portmeirion on my right I met up with the family and took a few snaps of the lake, a robin and the quaint lighthouse.

This walk only took me less than an hour and covered just over 2 miles so I decided to lengthen it by walking back to our apartment in Porthmadog by following the railway line, viewing the birds (the flying ones) on the sandy beach on my left and the harbour on my right.

I recommend buying your walking clothes, walking boots and walking accessories for all types of walking routes from these highly reputable online retailers found in the Walks And Walking Shop

 

Walks And Walking: Criccieth Castle Walking Route

Walks And Walking: Criccieth Castle Walking Route

If you are looking for a good area for walking routes then walking in Wales is great for all types of walks. In the Spring of 2010 I walked around the Criccieth Castle walking route which included Cardigan Bay, Afon Dwyfor and Llanystumdwy.

For more photos of this walk and the surrounding areas please click here: Walking In Wales

Criccieth Castle, Cardigan Bay, Afon Dwyfor, Wales

Starting off my walk at the Criccieth Castle car park I headed straight down to the sea which is now on my left hand side. Walking for a short while the road turns inwards and around Cefn Castell in the middle of Cardigan Bay where I then turned left to rejoin the path by the sea.

The path then descended to the beach at Ynysgain, an area of the National Trust, where I then turned inland by Afon Dwyfor and maintained my route through a gate and stile to another gate and then I turned right at the gate and stile walking up to reach the railway line passing through several gates and stiles to Aberkin with Afon Dwfor on my left as I reached the village of Lllanystumdwy.

At the church on the bend of the river I continued straight on passed the Lloyd George Museum on my right to a long farm lane with plenty of sheep to keep me company. Halfway along the lane was a wonderful viewpoint where I took a photo of the castle and at the end of the lane I turned right to head downwards along the road back to the sea front.

I then turned left back to the castle car park after a lovely spring stroll covering about 5 miles and taking just over 2 hours.

I recommend buying your walking clothes, walking boots and walking accessories for all types of walking routes from these highly reputable online retailers in my online walking shop

Walks and Walking in Snowdon – The Miners and PYG Tracks

Walks and Walking in Snowdon – The Miners and PYG (Pig) Tracks

Our day starts driving up to the Youth Hostel at Pen-y-Pass, Llanberis, Gwynedd. The morning was absolutely beautiful and the sky was clear blue. We were all strapped up in sensible walking clothes, sturdy walking boots and much needed walking poles. Lunch and extra layers were all packed in our rucksacks and away we went!

We couldn’t help but stop at Pen-y-Gwryd to take a picture of the lake that looked like a sheet of glass and was absolutely breathtaking.

The Lake at Pen-y-Gwryd

When we arrived at Pen-y-Pass we decided to take the Miners Track up and then the PYG Track back. That way we got some really good views of the lakes; Llyn Llydaw and Llyn Glaslyn. At the beginning of the walk you can turn left along the Miners Track or right for an early climb up to the PYG Track with the walk covering about 8 miles of very interesting scenery.

The Start of the Miners Track in Snowdon

We turned left along the Miners Track which is one beautiful long, and for the most part paved, track up to the mine ruins (which is where we were supposed to turn right to join the PYG Track above us!). However, we were seduced by the frozen lake so stopped to take loads of photos and breathe in that amazing clean, crisp and very fresh air.

This is where we should have turned right to meet the PYG Track

Frozen lake at Llyn Llaslyn Snowdon

The track was built during the 1800’s to serve Britannia Copper Mines which were abandoned in 1917.  Mine Manager Arthur Lockwood drove his car to Llyn Glaslyn, and the track to this point at the lake still resembles a road so is a good walking surface. When the lake came to an end we followed some other walkers up a very steep and snowy path to where the summit lies.

Scrambling up to the PYG Track Snowdon

The view back down to Llyn Glaslyn in Snowdon from the PYG Track

The PYG Track then meets the Llanberis Path  and, at this point you turn left and follow the track to be at the top in about 10 minutes.

As with all Snowdon walks, you then turn back and walk the way you came. However, we walked back along the PYG Track to Pen-y-Pass taking one last glance back towards Snowdon and what was a fantastic and enthralling walk.

One last view of Snowdon as we make our way along the PYG Track to Pen-y-Pass

Walks and Walking in Snowdon – The Llanberis Path

Walks and Walking Snowdon in Wales along the Llanberis Path.

I completed this Wales walk last March 2010 when there had been quite a bit of snow, although the day we walked The Llanberis Path the weather was absolutely fantastic; crystal clear blue skies and wonderful fresh air.

I highly recommend you ensure you have the correct equipment for this walk at this time of year; sensible layers, a windproof jacket, gloves, woolly hat, sturdy walking boots with a vibram sole, walking poles and ice axes just in case.

For this walk I decided to wear my bright red Bear Grylls jacket and walking trousers from the Bear Grylls Survival Clothing range.

The Llanberis Path is the longest and most popular pathway up to Snowdon, is roughly 5 miles from the railway station to the summit and is very easy to follow. From LLanberis we had a quick look around before finding the main car park for the station. Passing the car park we turned right to a small road and a small square where we found a gate at the far end. This is the start of the walk as it makes it’s way up a roughish by-road and the railway now on our right.

The LLanberis Path with Mount Snowdon behind me

The walk basically follows a parallel path to the railway line and there is a left hand turn that steadily rises until we head under the railway line up to Halfway House. Now the harder part of the walk commences but the beautiful sight of a frozen lake, Llyn Du’r Arddu,  still manages to put big smiles on our faces as we look down at Cwm Brwynog.

As we circle around the cwm we walk underneath the railway line at Clogwyn Station and this is wear the walk started to get very exciting with most people stopping to put their crampons on and swapping walking poles for ice axes.

We decided to stop here for lunch and admired the most stunning of views looking back at Llanberis Pass.

Moving on the pathway swings round to the south under the dome of Crib y Ddysgl and finishes close by the railway and the terminus is then reached.  We then walked back the way we came!