Pompren and Tryfan Junction from Waunfawr WHR Station
By Dave Roberts
on May 18, 2014 No ratings yet.
Posted as a walk in – Europe, Low Level and Easier Walks in Snowdonia, Snowdonia National Park, Wales
Pompren and Tryfan Junction from Waunfawr WHR Station
Route Essentials
Route Summary
See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.
Distance
6.92 kmAscent
131 mTime
2 hoursCalculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.
Start Location
Waunfawr WHR Station
Difficulty
Easy Walk, Mountain Biking, Trail or Fell Runs
Hazards
Weather Forecast:
Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather
Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.
Pompren and Tryfan Junction from Waunfawr WHR Station Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download
Pompren and Tryfan Junction from Waunfawr WHR Station
This is a 7km route from the WHR station at Waunfawr, along quiet country lanes and tracks, to the newly renovated halt at Tryfan Junction and back to the start. It’s also ideally suited for an easy mountain bike in sections or even on horseback. You’ll probably see more horses than people.
Part of the route is along the Lon Gwyrfai, which is the same route as from Rhyd Ddu to Beddgelert, only there’s nothing in between!
The Route
1 – Start at the WHR Station in Waunfawr, and turn right along the main road, taking care as it is narrow though not too busy (peak season exempted!), crossing the bridge over the Gwyrfai. Follow the main road through the village of Waunfawr, all the way to the far end of the village.
2 As the village peters out, you pass a junction to your right with a straight long road leading uphill and a bus shelter on the left hand side of the road. Just past the bus shelter, follow the public footpath across two fields to join a minor road. If you’re cycling or on horseback, then ignore the footpath, and continue until you reach a minor road junction where you turn left. Its signposted Lon Gwyrfai and Caernarfon (note that the distances are bizarrely in miles, so must be regarded as ‘road’ signs).
3 Continue along the minor road, until you reach a cross roads. Turn left and downhill towards a bridge over the Gwyrfai known locally as Pompren – a derivation of Pont Pren or the Wooden Bridge and only notable as the only wood near it is growing from the ground. There appears to be an old ford here, but I’ve never seen the water low enough to fancy it myself.
4 – From here, the track continues muddily uphill, through a farm and within minutes to Tryfan Junction. This has recently been renovated, and there’s also a footpath into the hills from here (route to follow that takes you over the hills and back to Waunfawr station)
5– Continue along the lane for a short distance, before turning left along the narrow country lane, towards a farm (Erw) as the lane becomes two strips of tarmac and eventually a path that leads uphill. The views now open up towards Caernarfon and Anglesey, and this off path section is over far too soon. All that remains is for the path to turn into tarmac, and the steep descent along a minor road that brings you out almost opposite the station, which will be on your left hand side.
Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks
Route Summary:
Route Start Location: Waunfawr WHR Station
Distance |
Ascent |
Time |
6.92 km | 131 m | 2 hours |
Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.
Activivity Type: Easy Walk, Mountain Biking, Trail or Fell Runs
Summits and Places on this Route
Facilities
Pub and shop at Waunfawr
Hazards
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.
Parking :
Public Transport:
This walk can be started from the Welsh Highland Railway. Snowdon Sherpa buses available to Waunfawr from Caernarfon.
Weather Forecast:
Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather
Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?