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 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!

 

Walks And Walking in Swansea, South Wales

Walks And Walking in Swansea, South Wales

If you are looking for beautiful and breathtaking scenery that is very easily accessible to get to then I can’t recommend Swansea enough! Swansea is in South Wales and although it is, and has been, known mainly as an industrial area it is a brilliant location for walks and walking, at all levels.

I stayed there for a week with the family and certainly had some great experiences out in the Welsh Mountains, Coastal Walking along the Gower Peninsula, exploring Welsh Waterfalls, tasting Welsh Whisky and riding the well preserved Welsh Mountain Railway Line in a steam engine.

Sunset over Swansea Bay

Our first full day was spent walking from the Brecon Mountain Railway to the Taf Fechan Reservoir which is about 5 1/2 miles of quite easy walking. The railway journey itself was also an enjoyable experience. We finished our visit with a quick trip to the Penderyn Distillery to sample some Welsh Whisky!

Other walks included the Gower Peninsula to visit the Pennaid Pill Castle and a lovely coastal walk back to the Mumbles. A very hard going walk up to Table Mountain to see the views from Pen Cerrig-calch. Much easier walks through forestry to see plenty of Welsh Waterfalls, including the Sgwd yr Eira Waterfall and Henrhyd Falls, the highest in South Wales.

So, all in all, a very enjoyable trip to Swansea!

 

Walks and Walking: Henrhyd Falls; Walking The Welsh Waterfalls, 10 Miles Hard Walking in the Brecon Beacons

Walks and Walking: Henrhyd Falls; Walking The Welsh Waterfalls, Henrhyd Falls, 10 Miles Hard Walking in the Brecon Beacons.

Our second drizzly morning so, as with yesterday, we strapped up with gaiters, sturdy walking boots and hooded windproof jackets but this time our our hats and snoods stayed on for a while. Today was an early start as we wanted to get back to our long lost family and spend some time together on our last day in Wales so we quickly jumped in the Vito Sport and made our way to Neath and in the village of Coelbren we found the Henrhyd Falls, the largest of the welsh waterfalls in South Wales.

However, we don’t get to visit the falls until the end of our walk so we leave the Vito Sport in the car park and move on up the road from which we parked.

Walking past the mobile phone mast we continued up the road to a stile which we crossed and then followed the pathway across the fields, bending slightly to the left before we reached the same road that we had originally walked up. Turning right, we headed up towards Pen-y-cae before finding another pathway leading us to a wide road that quickly narrows before reaching another pathway.

There is only one pathway so it’s a very easy navigation up to a road that forks just after the Outdoor Adventure Centre, we go left that has a sharp left down to so gates in front of us that then lead up to gates that let us enter the Craig-y-nos Country Park.Passing some friendly Welsh ponies and keeping to the sound of the water there was a good photo opportunity by the giant stepping stones.

Giant Stepping Stones near Craig-y-nos Country Park

Expecting a grand entrance, it is more of a side entrance to the park curving round to our left we join the main park area before reaching it’s main entrance by a small lake. We turn left outside of the entrance by the Craig-y-nos Castle, which looks like a good venue for weddings rather than one of huge historical importance. Crossing the road we needed to get up on the hill and rather confusingly there is a sign that points us in the right direction, yet says “No access to the hill”!

We continue down the road until we see the correct access and this is where we also find a myriad of pathways. So, the general idea was to walk up the hill to Cribarth, walk over the hill and then walk back down the hill on the same side we went up. I had to get the walking poles out for this climb as my legs were quite tired after 4 hard walks this week!

Walking up Cribarth, so many paths and options to choose from!

Confusing? Yes, but that’s the idea… to explore the hillside and it’s geology. We walked away from the peak of Cribarth to explore the shake holes below us.

Shake Holes on Cribarth

We zig-zagged up, down, over, across and back over until we reached the bottom in sight various sign posts. If you can see the church from the top of the hill then that’s the easiest navigation point down. The road is where we needed to get to so we followed one of the signs down through the Abercrave Wood through Abercrave Farm to reach the road turning right to find Abercrave Bridge. We have now entered the residential area of Abercaf and wlak between the school and the fire station turning left and keeping left again we follow the road to Llech Bridge to find a very clear signpost to Henrhyd Falls on our right.

Once on this track we simply followed the river up to the falls up and down through the beautiful woodland noticing various waterfalls along the way and stopping off for belated and very welcome cheese and pickle sandwiches!

Stopping off at Craig Llech near Henrhyd Falls

Shortly after our stop we reached a sign that takes us to our car park or invites us towards the Henrhyd Falls itself. A few steps up and down we are at the falls and they are very impressive. As the falls are very accessible I made a short 2 minute video walking in to, behind and out of the Henrhyd Falls so you can see what the Henrhyd Falls look like.

Henrhyd Falls

We then retraced our steps back to the car park signpost and walked steeply up to the Vito Sport and, my god, after 5 1/2 hours walking on top of a whole week of walking the Brecon Beacons, it was a sight for sore eyes!!

 

 

Walks and Walking – Walking The Welsh Waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons.

Walks and Walking: Walking The Welsh Waterfalls, 8 Miles Hard Walking in the Brecon Beacons.

It was a little drizzly this morning and cloudy compared to our last few days of clear blue skies. However, a little rain would top up the rivers making it a good day to walk the welsh waterfalls!

Anticipating the mud we strapped ourselves up in gaiters, sturdy walking boots and hooded windproof jacket but as soon as our hats and snoods were on, they were off again as it brighten up typical British weather! Revving up the Vito Sport as we made our way up to Neath and the beginning of the walk at Clun Gwyn Farm and Bunkhouse, 3 miles up from Ystradfellte.

From the car park we followed the clear signpost to Sgwd Clun-gwyn Waterfall, had a quick look, and then carried on up the track to cross a footbridge where we climbed a steep rocky path up and then turned right following the footpath back down the other side of the Afon Melte River to look at the waterfall from the other side.

Looking back down the river from the footbridge at Sgwd Clun-gwyn Waterfall

Next we followed the red way markers to the Sgwd yr Eira Waterfall. Although the zig-zag steps down were a little damp it was absolutely fine and safe to walk down the steep descent to the waterfall. I decided to video the approach to the waterfall and as it was just as easy to walk behind it and up the other side I also made a short video inside the waterfall.

After an exhilarating visit, the walk up the muddy and rocky ascent was completely exhausting but when we reached the top we both had very big smiles on our faces at what was a great experience with beautiful scenery. Keeping to the obvious pathway we headed through the forest encountering gorse, pine, bogs, welsh ponies, stream crossings, views of the wind farm, the Cilhepste-fach and Cilhepste-cerig ruins and then continuing to head south along the path until we came to Craig Dhinas (Dinas Rock Great Forest Geopark).

Crossing the bridge we followed the road down to The Angel Inn at Pontneddfechan where we were going to get half a local ale to eat with our sandwiches outside but, alas, there is a sign saying “No Muddy Boots” so we turned right by the ornate gates that head northwards alongside the Nedd River.

A few minutes walk on the right is a short pathway down to the river where we finally got our sarnies and a drink down us, sitting on the rocks in a little sun trap observing all of the different rocks and crystal clear water.

The view from our lunch time spot

We then continued to walk upwards following the signs and river marvelling at waterfall after waterfall… after waterfall after waterfall… after waterfall after waterfall!! We took our time for lots of photos to really breathe in and absorb the beautiful and unique scenery.

We reached the picnic area and car park by Pont Melin-fach turning right up the road to reach a distinct stile by the buildings of Glyn-mercher-uchaf where we met some very friendly sheep!

Very friendly sheep at the end of our Welsh Waterfalls Walk

Following the clear sign posts we crossed farmland until we reached sight of the road where we had parked and joined the road by the white chapel building and grave yard just by the very old fashioned petrol station.

A few minutes later, and after walking for 5 hours, we were back at the Vito Sport, chucked our muddy boots in the back and shot straight back down to The Angel Inn for a welcome pint of Rhymney’s. What a wonderful pub, such a shame we just missed out on some Welsh Cawl!

 

Walks and Walking – Walking Table Mountain and Pen Cerrig-calch

Walks and Walking: Walking Table Mountain and Pen Cerrig-calch, 8 Miles Very Hard Walking in the Brecon Beacons.

Awaking to a beautiful sunrise it was yet again perfect walking weather. Although it looks like high summer outside it is still freezing cold…. it was actually -5 Degrees in the Brecon Beacons last night. Sturdy walking boots are essential for today, as is the compulsory windproof jacket and sensible layers.

Wales is a haven for mountain biking and we passed quite a few in the Vito Sport as we made our way up to Llanbedr.  We found a parking space on the Great Oak Road, from Crickhowell, right next to the right hand turn sign for Llanbedr and just before Ty Mawr Farm.

Walking up to Ty Mawr Farm there is a track signposted “Perth y Pia and Table Mountain”. We then prepared for an exhausting and very steep walk up a concrete track to the Perth y Pia bunkhouse. After a metal barred gate the way becomes steeper again until we reached a way marked stile and then followed the right hand of the field edge up to a stile to the left of an old rusty metal barred gate.

Table Mountain is now in clear view and is the first stop off point for us to savor the panoramic views and breathtaking scenery…. and catch our breath!

 

The Route From Table Mountain To Pen Cerrig-calch

Pen Cerrig-calch is our next destination and so we continued up to Trywn Ysgwrfa, looking up we continued towards Pen Cerrig-calch using the most obvious pathway.

We then reached a natural rocky stream bed path that looks as though it gets very muddy after it’s been raining. We then followed this straight up, for what seemed an eternity, until we reached a large pile of rocks. I contributed to the pile by placing a large rock on the top!

Continuing further uphill we reached the top where there is a Rain Gauge and a huge circular rock shelter. We thought this was one of the Shake Holes on our map. (A Shake Hole is a natural depression in the Earth’s surface caused by water eroding the mud around the limestone under foot causing large holes to suddenly or gradually appearing on the landscape).

We decided to stop in the shelter for our sandwiches knowing all of the very hard walking had now been done. We then continued along our path until we came to a steep rocky climb down the edge of Pen Cerrig-calch and the beginning of Pen Alit-mawr. He we turned a sharp left around a natural pathway/animal track until we found another large circular rock shelter.

We then walked in a diagonal direction down the long slopes of the Pen Cerrig-calch using the Welsh pony and sheep tracks as a guide back towards Table Mountain until we reached a disused Butt by the field edge at the bottom of the slopes. Keeping to the field edge we walked back up to Table Mountain, past Crug Hywel Fort,  and walked round the right hand side until we came to a very clear pathway down.

We then followed the way markers which are all very clearly signposted first turning right, then left, straight ahead, left again and then right where you can walk down the shallow stream (and clean your boots at the same time!) and entering the road through Ty-yn-y-wlad.

The Route Back Down To Table Mountain

Turning left we walked back up the road to the Vito Sport exhausted after our 4 hour walk and feeling very thirsty for ale. We did hear that The Red Lion pub in Llandbedr was the closest watering hole but when we got there, at about 3.30pm, it was closed. So we drove back down to Crickhowell’s The Bridge End Inn which is a wonderful pub serving local ale’s and with exceptional hospitality.