Apr 15, 2016 | 5-10 Miles, Gwynedd
A nice 6.8 mile walk with multiple terrains, and stunning vistas. Starting at the car park at Borth Y Gest (near Porthmadog), then following well defined paths, you travel through woodland, lanes and tracks. Then ascend Moel Y gest, there are 2 peaks here, the furthest having the trig point and also being marked as a Hill Fort on the OS map, both affording stunning views of Snowdonia, the estuary, and the coast, Cricceth Castle is visible to the North. From the peak you travel down until you eventually find yourself on a section of the Wales coastal path, then onto a beach, before the final leg back to the car park. This was a really great walk for views, the ascent of Moel y Gest is steep but well worth it for the 360 views. It was quite overcast for us so the photographs are not so impressive – a walk for a good day owing to the great views.
Grid Ref: N 52.915875 W 4.136570 (where we parked)
Total distance: 6.45 Miles
Total time: 4.48 hrs
Moving time: 4.00 hrs
Average speed: 1.34 mi/h
Max elevation: 1044 ft
Min elevation: 10 ft
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Apr 6, 2016 | 5-10 Miles, Gwynedd
Melynllyn & Dulyn Reservoirs on the eastern side of the Carneddau mountains in Snowdonia. Upon parking we spotted a huge dam wall in the distance with breaks in, so added that at the start, we had to see it. It turns out after researching the dam: “on 2 November 1925, following 26 inches (660 mm) of rain in just five days, the dam broke. The water flowed down to Coedty Reservoir, also causing that to burst, and millions of gallons of water flowed down into the village of Dolgarrog, causing the loss of 17 lives” from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llyn_Eigiau
Upon returning to the car park we commenced our walk to the Melynllyn & Dulyn Reservoirs. The walk is uphill most of the way to the Melynllyn Reservoir (wiki info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llyn_Melynllyn) on well defined paths, unfortunate for us we chose a day with 40-50mph winds and occasional hail coming straight at us on this section, making it quite a slog to the reservoir. From the Melynllyn you travel down a rocky path to the Dulyn Reservoir (wiki info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llyn_Dulyn). From there you then cross very boggy moorland for the bulk of the journey back, the paths are not well defined on this section, but there are a couple of styles and occasional concrete posts marking the way.
This walk has spectacular views, just wished we had chosen better weather, obviously in this area and at this height the weather can also be very changeable – be prepared and well equipped.
Grid Ref: 53.177726N –3.900219W (where we parked)
Total distance: 8.5 Miles
Total time: 4.36 hrs
Moving time: 4.06 hrs
Average speed: 1.8 mi/h
Max elevation: 2126 ft
Min elevation: 1214 ft
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Mar 25, 2016 | Gwynedd, Under 5 Miles
A beautiful walk taking in Aber Falls (Rhaeadr Fawr), just under 5 miles. The walk starts from the car park, then ascends on well defined paths for about 2 miles to the waterfall. Known as Aber Falls (Rhaeadr Fawr in Welsh) this is a spectacular waterfall, its formed from the Red River (Afon Goch) that plunges about 120 feet over an outcrop of igneous rock in in the Carneddau range. To make the walk more interesting we walked on a different route back, that takes in another waterfall, has wonderful scenic countryside, mountain vistas, with views of Anglesey, Puffin Island and the Menai Straights, before returning downhill to the car park.
Grid Ref: 53.22.809’N -4.00.515’W (where we parked)
Total distance: 4.71 Miles
Total time: 2.56 hrs
Moving time: 2.16 hrs
Average speed: 1.6 mi/h
Max elevation: 873 ft
Min elevation: 144 ft
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Mar 16, 2016 | Under 5 Miles, Wrexham
A nice easy walk taking in the River Dee and some nice countryside. Starting at the Boat Inn in Erbistock village, then following the river Dee on well defined paths, before turning off for some countryside across fields and lanes, before returning to the river for the final stretch. Would be boggy in places in wet weather, but today was fine. Plenty of lovely scenery and vistas, as well as wildlife, on a fairly flat walk.
Grid Ref: 52.57.906’N 5.57.744’W (where we parked at The Boat Inn)
Total distance: 4.7 Miles
Total time: 2.33 hrs
Moving time: 2.05 hrs
Average speed: 1.8 mi/h
Max elevation: 322 ft
Min elevation: 82 ft
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Feb 24, 2016 | Denbighshire, Under 5 Miles
A really nice little walk with stunning views of the Dee Valley, and Snowdonia in the distance and the Berwyns. Parking near Carrog then ascending up the hill on clearly defined paths for about 1.5 miles, you reach the slate mines. Many old slate buildings and metal workings still present. Traveling around then you will see two cave entrances, one with graffiti on the wall saying ‘Enter The Dragon’ – you need good torches for this bit as there is a warren of tunnels underground (not mapped on the GPX as no signal inside) – enter the mines and explore at your own risk. These caves are sometimes referred to as The Dragons Breathe – as the air inside is warm! We walked back down on a slightly different route for variation.
Grid Ref: SH 94761 64071 – 52.58.708’N 3.19.392’W (where we parked)
Total distance: 3.35 Miles 5.4 Km (and whatever you do underground)
Total time: 4 hrs
Moving time: 3.23 hrs
Average speed: 1.3 mi/h
Max elevation: 1161 ft
Min elevation: 461 ft
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