Ramblers on wal

HALTON Ramblers travelled to Dolgellau/Gwynedd on Sunday, July 7.

Walkers from the Halton area had a long journey in front of them as they gathered together to travel to the county of Gwynedd in North Wales.

The group were heading for the market town of Dolgellau, which sits in the valley below Cadair Idris mountain, a magnet for the outdoor enthusiast.

The River Wnion runs through the town and is a

tributary of the River Mawddach, which flows into the nearby Irish sea.

The town was renowned for it’s woollen industry, the products being of such high quality they were sent all over the world.

In the 19th Century the town was the centre of a minor gold rush with the mines in the area employing over 500 workers.

The current Royal family have traditionally been recipients of Dolgellau gold for their wedding bands.

Ann Lister a trailblazer, voracious learner, cryptic diarist was the subject of the dramatisation of ‘Gentleman Jack’ recently televised.

Upon visiting Dolgellau she wrote in her diaries: “The town of Dolgellau finely situated and opened upon us beautifully.

“Indeed the whole of the last eight miles of this road baffles description, we have seen nothing to compare with it.”

The group knew they were in for four good walks and so armed with plenty of water, sun screen and sun hats they were prepared for the day.

Firstly to leave the coaches at Llanuwchllyn was Eric Fenney’s A group, a walk of 17.5 miles with a 4,000ft ascent.

Eric had chosen to walk one of Wales’s best kept secrets The Aran Ridge, with five peaks to climb, the highest being Aran Fawddwy at 2,968ft, the group had to keep moving at a good pace to finish before 6pm, but were awarded en-route with the marvellous views of the area.