Gwydyr Forest & Mines Walk

[Ian A]

Walk
Yellow Route, Betws y Coed

Distance
6 Miles Approx.

Elevation
300m

Time
4-5Hours approx

Parking
Park in Betws y Coed, preferably just over the small, Pont y Pair bridge (car park costs £2 all day)

Walk Description
The walk begins from the car park just over the pont y pair bridge in the village. Follow the road up past the car park rising away and up from the river just yards away at the start. Take the first road turning on the right (after about 100 yards) and go past a few local houses and you will come to a sweeping bend with an entrance to the Gwydyr Forest â€" here are the way-marked walk signs and you can choose different routes.

The “yellow” route is this route and will take you on a somewhat steep walk up into the Gwydyr forest taking you past Gryffyn mine and then Aberllyn mine (on the footpath with gated portals to peer through).

Further up you pass a lovely little waterfall and Aberllyn cottage which is very isolated.

Just a smidge further and you reach Llyn Parc â€" the lake at the top of the forest â€" this is a very peaceful lake and it hides a secret â€" underneath is the largest lead mine of the Gwydyr forest â€" Parc Lead mine. Even though the lake sits above this mine â€" it is not flooded.

Following the yellow way markers will lead you towards Llanwrst which you will pass at altitude with several great viewing points. Around this part of the walk are numerous treats hiding in the woodland â€" sculptures, information boards, glades and other little gems.

Now the path will swing around and back up towards the lake bringing you close to Clawnewydd mine at the head of the lake.

The walk can be extended easily to include other parts of the forest and is a fantastic day out in the sun or, even better, in the snow.

Of course, there is a short video here;


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEUb5WitxaU

[Robin Jones]

Nice one Ian.  Bloody hell your woman's got long arms!  Is she free on Thurs evenings?  :whistle:

[Tony Salusbury]

Told ya it was gonna rain