Things To Do
Walking around Dolgellau and Southern Snowdonia
One of the best ways to get out and explore the area is by walking. See our list below of our top recommended walks near by.
The Mawddach Trail
From the doorstep of Bryn Adda, LL40 1YA - take a left turn at the bottom of the drive and walk to join the A493 Tywyn/ Penmaenpool road. 'The Mawddach Trail' is a few hundred yards to the right.
The eight mile or 15km walk follows the bed of the old Great Western railway to Barmouth. Being on a level, it is accessible for wheel chair users. Along the way there are 2 RSPB sites and the trail can be accessed at various points such as Pont y Wernddu, Penmaenpool/Taicynhaeaf/Arthog and Morfa Mawddach.
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The Mawddach Way
Start/finish: Barmouth - Distance from Bryn Adda LL40 1YA to starting point-10 miles/20mins
This circular route of 50 km takes in the ancient settlements of Llanelltyd and Dolgellau.
Specifically designed to be as 'car free' as possible, the planned stages are tailored to span a three day journey with the use of public transport to complete connections. For the more energetic, it can be completed sooner.
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Precipice Walk
Start/finish: Saith Groesffordd car park Llanfachreth -Distance from Bryn Adda LL40 1YA to starting point: 3.73 miles/6km taking 8mins.
OS Explorer OL18 (Harlech, Porthmadog and Bala). Grid reference SH 746 212.Toilet facilities here.
Along footpaths and fields, the route is classed as a 'moderate leisure walk' of approximately 3 miles, taking about two hours to complete.
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The Torrent Walk
Start/Finish at the lay-by near Brithdir. Distance from Bryn Adda LL40 1YA to starting point -4.10mls/6.59 km taking 8 mins
Refer to OS map OL23 (Cadair Idris and Llyn Tegid). Grid Ref. SH761 182 LL40 2RH
On the A470 travelling to Dolgellau from Tal-y-Llyn, turn right to Brithdir on the B4416. Cross the narrow bridge Pont ar Ddibyn in 50 metres. After a further 100m follow the oak signpost marking the path, located in the lay-by.
A moderate leisure walk of about 1 to 2 hours over some 2 1/2 miles/4 km, with some uneven paths and steep sections following the river Clywedog through its striking gorge.
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Cregennan Lakes
Distance from Bryn Adda LL40 1AY to the nearest starting point in Dolgellau -2miles/ 3.2km.
The lakes are located on a plateau below Cader Idris with beautiful views westwards to the coast.
They are also popular for fishing. Take the road towards Penmaenpool out of Dolgellau and take a left turn up Cader Road -well worth the steep uphill walk. Alternatively, access the lakes from Arthog (signposted).
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Cwm Mynach (Woodland Trust)
Cwm Mynach has a fascinating history, and echoes of its past haunt the site today. As you wander through the wood, look out for historic sheepfolds and standing relics of deserted mines such as old levels, shafts and winding houses, many of which are now home to lesser horseshoe bats.
In 1198, a group of Cistercian monks founded Cymer Abbey. Cwm Mynach lay within the abbey’s estate and the monks made use of its natural resources. Cattle were brought to the wood for shelter, and the Order turned to the trees to fuel their fires. They cared for the land, grazing sheep on the slopes of the hills, and breeding horses for the 12th-century Welsh prince Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great).
The valley was a refuge during the Second World War for two teachers from war-torn Liverpool who settled here to renovate an old farm house and try to make a living from the land. They left an account of their experiences in the book Four Fields, Five Gates.
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Start in the car park off on the left off the B4405 between Tal y Llyn lake and Tywyn. Distance from Bryn Adda LL40 1YA - 15.68 miles/25.23km -taking 25 minutes
A beautiful mossy walk located in the Fathew Valley, South West Snowdonia, follows a long series of waterfalls within deciduous woodland. Allow at least an hour to complete as the terrain which might include the sounds and whistles of the Tal-y-Llyn railway as it steams through the valley.
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Translated into Welsh - The Chair of Idris - After Snowdon, it is the most popular mountain for walkers.
Distances to the various paths from Bryn Adda LL40 1YA:
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To Pony Path -3.09 miles/4.97km taking 7 mins - OS Grid Ref SH697152
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Llanfihangel - y - Pennant - 15.96 miles/25.68km taking 28 mins - OS Grid Ref: SH6673095
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Minffordd - 8.7 miles/14.00km taking 15 mins - OS Grid Ref SH732115
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The New Precipice Walk is one of the Mawddach Estuary’s classic trails, and is now home to an ambitious scheme to make such spectacular viewpoints accessible to a wider range of people.
The estuary is glacial in origin, and as the ice sheets pushed their way to the sea, they carved out a characteristic U-shaped valley with a flattish bottom and steep sidewalls. The Precipice is a flat track cut into the valley side on the slopes of Foel Ispri, and makes use of an old tramway built to serve the long abandoned workings of the Voel Goldmine.
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