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The Ardudwy Way – South

By Dave Roberts   

on June 17, 2015    No ratings yet.

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Snowdonia National Park, The Rhinogydd, Wales

The Ardudwy Way – South

Route Essentials

Route Summary

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

11.54 km

Ascent

548 m

Time

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Difficulty

LDP, Moderate Walk

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. 

The Ardudwy Way – South Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

The Ardudwy Way – South

This is the first section from Barmouth to Tal-y-bont railway stations of the Ardudwy Way which is a little known multiday path that crosses the western side of the Rhinogydd from Barmouth in the south to Llandecwyn in the north. We completed this as part of a multiday walk from Machynlleth to Llanbedr.

The Route

1 Start off in Abermaw (Barmouth) at the railway station, and continue up St John’s Hill towards the red sandstone church, where the road keeps on rising steeply! This is as good an excuse as any to stop and look back on progress so far!

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2 Keep an eye out for the first of the clearly marked Ardudwy Way yellow markers as you take the green lane right as the path begins one of it’s first of many zig-zags up the steep hill. Thankfully, the track is excellent and you’ll be gaining height quickly.

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3 The route from this point on has been waymarked extensively, with credit due to those responsible for developing the route. The green track continues onwards and upwards, past the ruined farm at Cell Fechan and numerous manganese mining remains.

4 Just beyond the ruined farm, you’ll be surprised at the farmhouse at Gellifawr which is still in use and with no obvious access! Walk towards the building and follow the waymarkers past the ruined barn and uphill again along what continues as a good green track.

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5 Nearly a kilometre later, the track veers right towards Bwlch y Llan. We stopped here for the night, but the diversion south to the spot height of 350 is well worth the diversion and a worthy lunch spot.

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6 From Bwlch y Llan, the route descends gently towards the stone circle at Cerrig Arthur, with views across the Mawddach dominating this section.

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7 At Cerrig Arthur, the track begins a short sharp ascent to Bwlch y Rhowgyr and joins one of the many old coaching roads that cross this ridge. This must have been a tough gig for any of the coach drivers as it continues it’s descent for three kilometres along good tracks to the bridge at Pont Fadog.

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8 The final section of the southern leg is along the pleasant wooded Afon Ysgethin, and a highlight of an eclectic route which brings you right out at the Ysgethin Inn and a well earned pint!

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The official route site is here – Southern Section

 

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

Route Start Location:

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
11.54 km 548 m

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: LDP, Moderate Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

Check out the businesses nearby for more places to stay and drink.

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:

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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