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Maentwrog Walks

1.2 miles (2 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This delightful village is located in a fine position in the Vale of Ffestiniog in Snowdonia. There's views of the River Dwyryd, beautiful local gardens, several nearby reservoirs and expansive woodland to the north of the settlement.
This walk visits the lovely Plas Tan y Bwlch Gardens before heading to the picturesque Llyn Mair. The walk starts from the car park at Plas Tan y Bwlch which is the Snowdonia National Park environmental studies centre. There are some delightful gardens here with woodland, ornamental shrubs, streams, little waterfalls and views over the River Dwyryd to Maentwrog. During the Spring and early Summer, species of Rhododendron and Azalea are a splendid colourful sight in the gardens.
From the gardens you can then follow a footpath north to visit the nearby Llyn Mair. There's a pretty weir here and some nice trails through the surrounding woodland.

Postcode

LL41 3YU - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Maentwrog OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Maentwrog Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Head to the historic Grapes Hotel for some post walk refreshment. The grade II listed inn dates from the 17th Century and has a charming interior. Oustide there's a lovely garden area for warmer days. You can find them at postcode LL41 4HN for your sat navs.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

You can continue your walking by catching the Ffestiniog Railway to Blaenau Ffestiniog and visiting the old mines and the fascinating Llechwedd Slate Caverns. The pretty Tanygrisiau Reservoir and the photogenic Llyn Stwlan Dam are also located near here.
Just east of Blaenau Ffestiniog there's Cwm Penmachno where you can explore a number of striking slate mining quarries, enjoy views of the River Machno and visit the pretty Llyn Bowydd.
To the south there's the expansive Llyn Trawsfynydd where you'll find a visitor centre and lakeside cycling and walking trails.
The challenging climb to Cnicht can be started from the neighbouring village of Croesor which lies just to the north. The summit commands some wonderful views to the coast at Porthmadog.
Head east and there's the neighbouring village of Llan Ffestiniog where you can visit the Afon Cynfal gorge and the photogenic Cynfal waterfalls.
To the south west is neighbouring Penrhyndeudraeth where there are some lovely walks along the River Dwyryd estuary.
For more walks in the area see the Snowdonia Walks page.

Photos

Plas Tan y Bwlch garden, looking towards Maentwrog - geograph.org.uk - 1043908

Plas Tan y Bwlch garden, looking towards Maentwrog

Weir on Llyn Mair, Tan y Bwlch - geograph.org.uk - 636895

Weir on Llyn Mair, Tan y Bwlch

A waterfall in the gorge - geograph.org.uk - 545049

A waterfall in the gorge The waterfall is on Afon Tan-y-bwlch, a stream flowing from the man-made Llyn Mair which was created to provide a source of water for a HEP station serving the Tan-y-Bwlch mansion. Tan-y -Bwlch was the first house in Wales to have its own turbine, and in 2006 the Snowdonia National Park Authority, now owners of the mansion, resolved to commission a survey into the feasibility of restoring the HEP plant

Plas Halt railway station - geograph.org.uk - 1552690

Plas Halt railway station

Plas Tan-y-Bwlch - geograph.org.uk - 465424

Plas Tan-y-Bwlch. The centre from the gardens.

Arwyddion cyntaf yr Hydref. First signs of Autumn in Coed Tan y Bwlch - geograph.org.uk - 569673

Arwyddion cyntaf yr Hydref. First signs of Autumn in Coed Tan y Bwlch

Woodland overlooking the Vale of Maentwrog - geograph.org.uk - 545162

Woodland overlooking the Vale of Maentwrog

Sculpture in the making - geograph.org.uk - 1032633

Sculpture in the making next to Llyn Mair near to Maentwrog Gwynedd

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Maentwrog.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Maentwrog.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)