LOCAL WALKS
General Description of the Walks
Several local walks and places to visit can also be found at the
Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre Site
Walks Summaries
New Precipice Walk
This walk can be done in a variety of ways. One can drive up the country lane from the
village of Taicynhaeaf, 2 miles outside of Dolgellau, up to Foel Ispri, high above the
glorious Mawddach Estuary park their car and just follow the trail for a walk that lasts around one hour
each way.
Alternatively, one can start this trek from the grounds of Ty Nant walking straight up Foel Yspri
turning left for the route to Taicynhaef or right for the longer route that takes you to Ganllwyd or
the Tyn-y-Groes Inn where (having previously checked the times!) one can get the bus back to Llanelltyd.
One of the most popular walks in Gwynedd it has very little climb or descent and in good weather has
spectacular views of Cadair Idris the Mawddach and the Mawddach Estuary. Less than 4 miles from Ty Nant
no visit here would be complete without doing this relatively easy walk.
Maintained by the Forestry Commission this most interesting walk examines the geology of the area
with particual reference to copper deposits. In fine weather there are superb views from the central section.
There are several display boards describing the features of local interest.
This particular walk begins at Cae'n y Coed, in the captivating Coed-y-Brenin forest park, and takes people along
the banks of the River Mawddach and up Moel Hafod-Owen (430m) to give people striking views of the
extinct volcano the Rhobell Fawr, and nearby lofty peaks, the Cader Idris and the Rhinogs.
People can find out about the various rock formations in the area, and learn more about the
Rhobell Fawr, which is said to have given rise to the Dolgellau Gold Belt and a wide range
of other mineral deposits, such as copper and silver.
The Panorama Walk affords wonderful views of much of southern Snowdonia, especially Barmouth, Fairbourne
and Cardigan Bay. Several routes of varying lengths are listed on the attached link. So for
beginners to more experienced fell walkers, there's really no excuse not to get out there and
have a fantastic day.
Tucked away near the Dyfi Estuary, Llyn Barfog may be quite a small lake in comparison to
many others in the region, especially the nearby glacial lake of Talyllyn. However, it has
a legend attached to it that rather dwarfs other local myths and folklore. The lake was
supposedly the setting for a battle between King Arthur and a water demon, the dreaded Afanc.
This walk takes in the beautiful scenery surrounding the lake and the rippling hills that roll
down into the Dyfi Estuary.
This walk takes in at three major waterfalls within the Coed-y-Brenin forest park where our
holiday let is located. People can start it from Glyn-yr-aur itself (should take around 5 hours)
and take in the Rhaeadr Mawddach, Pystyll Cain and Rhaeadr Ddu falls in addition to a stretch of
the River Eden where it's thought legendary Dark Age king, Arthur waged his last battle of Camlan.
A shorter version of around 3 hours starts from near the Signs Workshop off the A470, just past
the nearby village of Ganllwyd. People will need to take their car to the starting point.
This just takes in the Rhaeadr Ddu falls and the reputed last battleground of
King Arthur. Either way, each particular route provides a fascinating insight in to the
Coed-y-Brenin and the intriguing landscape and natural environment that can be found there.
The Cader Idris is perhaps second only to Snowdon in being the most popular peak in the Snowdonia National
Park. Keen walkers can regularly be seen scaling the Cader's heights at most times of the year.
This particular walk actually only goes as far as the mountain's mid section or renowned tarn,
Llyn Cau. Suitable for more experienced ramblers, it's well worth the journey from Glyn-yr-aur
to try this route along the well-trodden, Minffordd pathway. The walk lasts around 2.5 hrs from
start to finish, and begins on the southern flanks of the mountain near the Talyllyn lake.
(This walk is about a 20 minutes' drive from Ty Nant)
Starting from a lay-by near the Pentrepiod station, this walk takes in the far side of Bala Lake
where the Bala Lake Railway can be found. Suitable for all levels of walkers, people can follow
the scenic country road that parallels the railway and perhaps picnic by the lakeside at some of
the enchanting inlets en route. This walk would take around 1.5 hrs to complete. Alternatively,
people could take the train from Llanuchwyllyn station to the midpoint of the lake, and alight
there, and walk back to that station. (The walk's starting point is about a 40 minutes' drive from Glyn-yr-aur)
This is a walk up the Cader Idris starting from Ty Nant (not our Ty Nant!).
It takes around 10 minutes to reach here by car.
A tour around Dolgellau with the Dolgellau Civic Trust
The Dolgellau Civic Trust has penned this comprehensive walk which notes all the landmarks in the historic market town,
which as said previously is a leisurely 5 minutes drive away from Ty Nant.
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