BETWYS-Y-COED - 28th September 2025
The forecast was favourable and the day proved to be dry and calm for the walkers as they made their way across a variety of paths and tracks. Unfortunately for them there was a total absence of footpath signage in most areas, something that has been noted on other Welsh walks in the past! And even worse was the state of the paths that did exist - rutted and water filled, most likely as a result of trails bikes and other vehicles. However it made for a fun-filled day!!
On alighting the coach at Dolwyddelan, The Oldham’s headed
south to Y Ro Wen. A beautiful, lesser known peak with stunning views across the
Snowdonia National Park with not another soul in sight. Pure bliss! From here
the group began navigating their way cross-country to the peak of Ro Lwyd. The
walk card warned of no paths in places but it didn't quite prepare the group
for the calf deep bogs, thigh high heather and young pine forests they had use,
to support each other through to reach the final peak of Iwerddon. Thankfully
the paths back to Betws-y-Coed were much more favourable and a visit to Conwy
Falls was a perfect end to a perfect day. 14 miles and 2500ft of
ascent completed.
Geoff and his group had an eventful walk. The door to
Dolwyddelan Castle was unlocked so they had a good look around and it all
started so well!! However, after walking through the woods which were getting
wetter by the minute, they saw a rocky area which was ideal for lunch...but it
took another half an hour to find a way through the bogs! They thought they
were in the clear then, but they knew that they still had at least 2 more hours
of walking through wet grassy bogs and streams to negotiate, before climbing
onto the ridge which was more of the same. Darren got some drone footage just
before Moel Siabod where they decided to go down the road to Capel Curig. After
crossing a stream, a river and 2 barbed wire fences they arrived there, only to
realise that they still had 10 miles to go with less than 2 hours remaining.
Luckily their saviour arrived in the shape of a bus to Betws-Y-Coed 🙏.
The driver took pity on them and picked them up between stops!! They were first
back to the coach. Happy days 😊.
Paul’s group found navigating the start of the walk
out of the village a bit tricky, but they were soon up and running and able to
follow a good track – until they realised that they’d had missed a turning! A
short cross-country dash enabled them to find the route once more, although
there was little or no path to see. Things took a turn for the worse as they
crossed a stile into the forest to be faced with mud, water, mud and even more
mud. Much cursing from Anthony as he was the first to fall foul of the sticky
stuff, followed by Angie and Glyn with Barry narrowly avoiding the same fate!! Once
out of this they had lunch in the sunshine with beautiful views, but were now a
little short on time, so they were unable to go via the “official” paid route
to see Conwy Falls. Nevertheless they did manage a view from the unofficial
side, before pressing on to Betws-y-Coed with a slightly longer, and harder
than planned, 10.5 miles completed.
Pat’s walk included checking on the Birkby
family history!! Many years ago she did a walk in the area with Brian
Birkby and he told her about his family connections with Dolwyddelan. When they
left Dolwyddelan on this walk and headed for Betws-Y-Coed (which was mainly
along very wet, squelchy and not very distinct footpaths), they came across a seat
inscribed with the words “Happy Days - Nan and Arthur Birkby 1900-1991” (see
the photos).
Stuart’s group of five started out from Dolwyddelan,
and their route began with a 'lovely' forest path just to the north of the
village. It turned out to be almost like an assault course, very boggy bits and
so many trees, bushes and branches fallen across the not so obvious 'path'. Diversions
were made to get round all of these, and Frank was invaluable in locating some
of them! Upon reaching open ground and gaining the top of the flat ridge area
of Mynydd Cribau, a splendid view of the distant Moel Siabod mountain was the
reward.
They all thought of Geoff and his party, who were climbing
this magnificent mountain today.
The going on their route across Mynydd Cribau however, was
gruesome. Practically pathless although a clear indication of one was on the
O/S map.
Stuart went into a bog hole up to his knees and they resorted
to thrashing their way across the thick knee-high grass to a higher knoll where
they eventually stopped for lunch.
Continuing across the ridge on pathless muddy ground, they
finally reached a marked farm track which took them down to the
valley where they crossed the busy A5, stopping to admire the so called
'Ugly House' cafe.
It really isn't ugly at all, just very quaint.
Climbing a minor road, they ventured into more forest
territory, but this time they were on well-built forestry tracks, where all you
needed to do was study the map and take the correct turning.
Short sections out of the forests were followed by yet more
forest, beginning the descent to the Afon Llugwy (river) at Miners Bridge, with
a pleasant amble along the river into Betws-y-Coed
Next Walks:
Sunday 12th October 2025 –Torver to Broughton-in-Furness
5.30 p.m. departure
Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 36, A590 through Newby Bridge to Penny Bridge, A5092/A5084 to Torver, A593 to Broughton. Park in Broughton. Morning coffee stop at Burton services.
Sunday 26th October 2025 – Malham
5.00 p.m. departure
Northbound to Preston, on to the M65, M65 eastbound to junction 7, via A6185/A678 to the A680, A671 to roundabout N of Whalley, A59 to the Skipton roundabout, A65 to Gargrave, minor roads through Airton and Kirkby Malham to Malham. Park in Malham. Morning coffee stop at Darwen services, M65.
Sunday 9th November 2025 – Newbiggin to Orton
5.00 p.m. departure
Northbound to Preston, M6 north to
junction 38, A685 to Newbiggin, back along the A685 and then the B6261 to
Orton. Park in Orton. Morning coffee stop at Burton services.
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