Beddgelert to Maentwrog
DAY 3
10 SH591480 Start from the metal footbridge in the centre of Beddgelert, at the confluence of the Rivers Glaslyn and Colwyn. Turn right along the riverside path at the corner of the village green. Follow the Afon Glaslyn all the way to the Aberglasyn Pass, rock-hopping across the boulders and crossing the wooden boardwalks on the riverside trail en route. Watch your footing in wet weather, as this section, though popular, can be slippery and treacherous.
11 SH594462 Follow the woodland path round to the left and walk through the NT car park at Aberglaslyn. Take the lane through Nantmor, called Brynffynnon. Pass the church and follow the lane to the minor road junction at Bwlchgwernog. This is a quiet road, but the gradient is steep in places.
12 SH611452 Pick up the old byway ahead and follow it until you cross the Afon Dylif. This is a good stony track, so the going is fairly easy. Go through a metal barred gate (waymarked the Cambrian Way, with a distinctive black hat roundel) and follow the well-defined path uphill. As you ascend, the impressive and distinctive mountain of Cnicht (‘the knight’ in Welsh) hoves
into view.
From this aspect, it is easy to see why it has been dubbed ‘the Welsh Matterhorn’. After a steep climb, go through a metal barred gate and continue ahead. Look out for a marker post and wooden gate. Here, turn sharp left to go through the gate. Follow the path, going over a ladder stile next to a metal gate and continue climbing gently uphill. At a post marked ‘Cnicht’, the path starts to head off slightly right. Head uphill and cross over the wall via a ladder stile next to a gate. Go over a step stile and follow the path around to the left. Follow the winding rocky path and a short but easy scramble to reach Cnicht summit.
13 SH645466 Head north-east from the summit, along a path that descends towards Llyn
Yr Adar. As you draw level with the lake’s southern edge, take a path off to the right, again heading downhill – the path junction is marked with a cairn. Follow the path across a stream and wind your way between three lakes, eventually dropping down to the disused quarries of Cwmorthin and Rhosydd. Take the path that follows the old tramline up between the spoil heaps. Head over a ladder stile over a fence and the path up Moelwyn Mawr clearly lies ahead. It is a bit of a
slog up to the
14 SH658448 From the summit, there is a short but steep descent to Craigysgafn, with great views over the Stwlan dam. As you drop down to the bwlch there is the option to bag Moelwyn Bach with a quick out-and-back to the summit, or you can take a path down towards the dam itself, heading around the shore towards the very right-hand edge of the dam wall. Follow the path alongside the dam and hop over the stone wall at the stone stile. Head down the very steep path to reach the base of the dam and follow the fence line down to the right. As the path splits, take the left-hand path to loosely follow the Afon Stwlan down to Tanygrisiau. Lakeside Café is just off the path here if you need refreshments. Otherwise take the path right towards the power station and the reservoir, crossing over the railway line and walking along the water’s edge. At the far end of the reservoir you’ll start climbing uphill, following the line of the railway. Go through a gate and continue along the broad path, eventually taking a path off to the right and going through another gate to bring you out onto the tracks at Dduallt Station.
15 SH678421 Walk along the station and cross over a ladder stile on the right, continuing to walk besides the railway line. Eventually the path heads over another ladder stile, crosses the railway lines once again and down to another stile to walk through the grounds of Plas y Dduallt. Head down the road and look out for a gate on the right for a path that takes you down through Coedydd Maentwrog National Nature Reserve. Go through another wooden gate and walk up the driveway of a house, crossing a bridge over a waterfall and going through another gate to continue descending through the woods. Another gate brings you out on a lane. Turn right and
follow the lane to the end, before turning left to walk along the A487. Cross the road when the pavement ends, and continue down the road, taking the first right into the pretty village of Maentwrog where The Grapes Hotel will be waiting just on the right.