Accept cookies We use cookies to make your browsing experience better. By using our site you agree to our use of cookies
For more information and the latest on Ramblers Group walks, please read our guidance and advice on walking and COVID-19.
Find your local Ramblers Group
Tuesday, 9 August 2022 (Group: Meirionnydd)
Start time 10:00
Strenuous 10 miles / 16.1 km
The hills above Blaenau Ffestiniog are scarred with the remains of old slate quarries, fascinating places to explore on a summer’s day. This walk approaches two of the dis-used quarries from the Dolwyddelan side, the Cwt-y-Bugail (shepherds hut) and Rhiw-bach (small hill) quarries. We start by ascending the quiet valley of Cwm Penamnen on an easy forest track, crossing a stretch of open moorland to reach the quarry area. Our return to Dolwyddelan is along Sarn Helen, which follows the route of an old Roman road.
Monday, 15 August 2022 (Group: Meirionnydd)
Strenuous 7 miles / 11.3 km
Cader Idris is one of the three most popular mountains in Snowdonia. It lies near the town of Dolgellau in the south of the National Park and reaches a height 893m. There are several routes to the top but today we choose the Pony Path, starting from the Ty Nant carpark above Dolgellau. Conditions permitting, we should be rewarded during our ascent with stunning views, looking out to the coast and over neighbouring mountains. Our walk initially takes us through a small mixed woodland of birch, hazel and sycamore, before we start climbing with the impressive cliffs of Cyfrwy above us to our left. The path follows a series of zig-zags until eventually we see ahead of us the summit, Penygadair, with its outline of frost-chiselled boulders. Continuing through the bleak, terrain of frost shattered rock, we soon overlook Llyn y Gadair, completing the ascent by following the ridge and undertaking an easy scramble. Having had lunch on the summit, we descend by retracing our steps on the Pony Path back to the start.
Sunday, 21 August 2022 (Group: Meirionnydd)
Start time 10:30
Moderate 7 miles / 11.3 km
(Note change of route from that originally published.) This walk is in an area not often visited by the Meirionnydd Ramblers, somewhat south of our usual patch. We start from Dylife on the mountain road between Machynlleth and Llanidloes. Once a thriving lead-mining community, little remains now of the village, just a few houses, a small cemetery and the spoil from the mine. Leaving the village, we head north and soon pick up a steep, zig-zag path which we follow down into the deep gorge of the Afon Twymyn. The footpath continues along the valley floor close to the river, with the steep cliffs of Creigiau Pennant towering above. After passing Cilcwm-fawr farm we cross the river and turn back to ascend gently through pleasant green pastures, looking across to the crags and waterfalls on the opposite side of the valley. Reaching the Dylife road, we cross over and head up to Glyndwr’s Way which we follow until we meet a track which takes us back down to the start.
Thursday, 25 August 2022 (Group: Meirionnydd)
Start time 12:30
Moderate 5 miles / 8 km
Foel Senigl is the nearest significant summit to Harlech, 311 metres/1020 feet high. So inevitably there are some steep climbs in the first part of the walk. We will, though, take these very steadily so the walk will be suitable for any reasonably fit adult or child accompanied by an adult. As the walk progresses through beautiful countryside, wonderful views of the area open up and there is a splendid panorama from the top across Tremadog Bay over the Llyn peninsula, Snowdon, the Dwyryd estuary, Moelwyns and Rhinogau.
Friday, 2 September 2022 (Group: Meirionnydd)
Moderate 7.5 miles / 12.1 km
The timing of this walk from Harlech Station is convenient for train travel from Machynllech or Pwllheli directions. The walk is not difficult and is on mostly good terrain. From the station we walk down Beach Road and along Harlech beach south to the end where we pick up a zig zag footpath over the railway line to the main road. Crossing the road, we walk the footpaths across fields to Llandanwg church a convenient place for a lunch break and chance to look around the ancient church yard of St Tanwg. From here we follow the path across the marsh to the CMC at Pensarn. After crossing back over the main road, we pick up the track through the old slate quarries and follow it across the fields back to Harlech. Hopefully we’ll reach the station in time for trains north or south just before 2.30 pm. If we do miss those trains there are cafes and shops to enjoy in Harlech until the next ones!
Thursday, 8 September 2022 (Group: Meirionnydd)
Strenuous 9 miles / 14.5 km
Situated under Snowdon’s ridges, the 2450 foot Yr Aran is dwarfed by its majestic neighbour, which towers more than 1000 feet above it. But Yr Aran is, nevertheless, a fine peak in its own right, with a long ridge, a rocky, triangular summit and amazing views. To the north, the land drops away steeply to Cwm Llan, through which trudge walkers on the Watkin Path to the top of Snowdon. To the south lies the National Trust property at Craflwyn Hall, where little paths wind through ancient oak woodlands and around rocky knolls, offering tantalising glimpses of the nearby Llyn Dinas. Join today’s walk to climb to Yr Aran’s summit ridge and explore the paths along the mountain’s flanks.
Friday, 16 September 2022 (Group: Meirionnydd)
Start time 9:30
Strenuous 9.5 miles / 15.3 km
A challenging walk from the Nantcol view point car park on the narrow road from Dyffryn Ardudwy to Cwm Nantcol. The walk starts easily enough with a stretch along the valley floor, before taking a tractor track steeply up Y Llethr (756 metres). On a good day the views from here, the highest top in the Rhinogydd, are amazing. We then drop swiftly down the saddle of Moelyblithcwm to start the steep ascent of Moelfre (589 metres), firstly over a steep grassy slope, then clambering over boulders to finally reach a stile over the wall and the cairn at our second top. Leaving the summit, we head northwest to a second cairn before descending steeply to a section of the Ardudwy way, which we follow back to the car park.
Thursday, 22 September 2022 (Group: Meirionnydd)
Moderate 9 miles / 14.5 km
Today’s walk explores the quiet and little-visited hills on either side of the young Afon Dyfi, close to Dinas Mawddwy. Leaving the village, we cross the Dyfi to pick up a footpath through grazing fields, recrossing the river near Aber-Cywarch. After a few yards along a quiet lane, we join a permissive path which takes us up the hillside on the north side of the valley, with views opening up to either side. We follow the easy track as it descends again to the lane. Across the river, another second path takes us up into the hills south of the river, eventually reaching the head of the Clywedog valley. Hidden from the roads by steep hills, the valley has a surprisingly wild and remote feel to it. We continue up over pasture to the high point of the route at some 400 metres. On a fine day this is an idyllic spot; the views are wonderful, with a panorama of hills, valleys and mountain ridges. A short descent brings us to the quiet lane running down through Cwm Cewydd and thence to a path which we follow back to the village.
Wednesday, 28 September 2022 (Group: Meirionnydd)
Leisurely 5 miles / 8 km
A varied walk, initially heading west on the Wales Coastal Path from Borth-y-Gest before turning inland to explore the low hills between the coast and Moel-y-Gest. Our route follows the sea shore (sandy underfoot) and passes the golf course, with lovely views across the estuary. Reaching Ynys Cyngar lime kiln, the last point on Glaslyn estuary, we head down over rocks down to Black Rock Sands and then leave the coast to go towards Morfa Bychan. We take a path across the golf course and head uphill through wooded area, making our way through a chalet park with views of the mountains around Borth y Gest. After a visit to see a stone monument with the inscription “Cwyd cwyd ehedydd cwyd” (Rise, rise, lark rise) we finish the walk on footpath through woodland which takes us back to the start.
Sunday, 9 October 2022 (Group: Meirionnydd)
Moderate 8 miles / 12.9 km
Today’s walk follows relatively easy tracks and some rougher paths to visit two lakes in the valley of Afon Ysgethin. Llyn Bodlyn is a sizeable reservoir, originally damned in 1894 to supply water to Barmouth. As with many Welsh lakes there is a legend associated with Llyn Bodlyn; according to the story, the fairies stocked the lake with a rare cold-water fish, the Arctic Char, as a token of gratitude to a young local shepherd who once helped them. Further down the valley, Llyn Erddyn lies just below the steep cliffs of Llawlech. The original name of the lake was Irddyn, which may have meant “fruitful land”. Join this walk to visit first Llyn Erddyn and then Llyn Bodlyn and to enjoy great views of hills and sea, against the backdrop of a quiet and ancient farming area.