Celebrating National Tree Week
Published on 2024-11-15
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By Hammy@Trefeddian
23 November – 1 December 2024
To celebrate National Tree Week we share with you our Favourite 3 Woodland Walks. All of these walks are perfect for an autumnal stroll or a summer time wander amongst the beautiful woodlands that we have on our doorstep.
Dolgoch Falls
The Fathew Valley in the south-western part of Snowdonia National Park takes in a wooded gorge along the Nant Dolgoch stream, a tributary of the River Fathew. Here, you will find three waterfalls tumbling down the steep sides of the gorge into pools below, and a popular circular walk links all three waterfalls. The first part of the walk passes underneath the Talyllyn railway viaduct and a viewing platform and then rises after the lower falls. Follow the path along the stream to the steps leading to the middle and upper falls. After leaving the middle falls, the path rises to the upper falls and a picnic area. The trail can be slippery in damp weather but on a hot day, it’s a beautiful place for children to play in the rock pools at the base of the upper falls.
Ynysmaengwyn
A short drive away is Ynysmaengwyn, just outside Tywyn. This beautiful woodland setting is perfect for a walk and wander, or for the more adventurous, there is an orienteering course! Explore the tranquil grounds of the estate once owned by the Corbett family where you can see the ruins of the once grand mansion and where the family’s coat of arms, ‘The Salt King’ can be seen displayed. There is also the Dovecote that stands in the grounds, a walled garden and also a Fairy Glen hidden in the woods. You can walk along the banks of the estuary from here, along the Broadwater to Tywyn if you feel like a longer walk, and loop back to Ynysmaengwyn along the road.
Nant Gwernol Forest Walks
A short drive from the Trefeddian takes you into Abergynolwyn, from here you can access 3 walks through the unspoilt woodlands of the forestry where you can see something of the former slate mining activity in the area. There are two shorter walks at one mile each or a longer three mile walk. The cascade trail is the yellow route and crosses the footbridge by the station and ascends the valley close to the river. Further down the river, another bridge is crossed to bring you back along the other side before descending steeply down the Allwyllt incline back to the station.
The red trail is also around the one mile mark. From Nant Gwernol station this route climbs close the Allwyllt incline by a zigzag path before descending to Abergynolwyn Station. Finally, the Quarryman Trail is the blue path and is longer at around three miles. This walk explores the old mine workings of Bryn Eglwys Quarry. It follows the river before climbing out of the woods, through the old quarry, past mill workings and descending along the old tramway and steep Allwyllt incline back to the station.
The starting point of the Nant Gwernol walks in Abergynolwyn, is the station at the end of the line on the Talyllyn narrow gauge railway on its route from Tywyn through the Fathew valley to Abergynolwyn, so a train ride and walk can be combined.
