Mawddach Bridge and Arthog from Barmouth

A short Gwynedd walk ideal for an evening stroll. The route includes crossing the Barmouth Bridge and some excellent views across the Mawddach Estuary and surrounding mountains. The walk also includes a section of the Mawddach Trail.

Technical sheet

293044
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.61 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 24 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 22 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 22 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m

Description of the walk

(S)From the start walk towards the sea and follow the promenade with the sea to your right. Continue around the harbour until you reach the main A496 through the town. Turn right and continue along the main road towards the Barmouth Bridge. Cross the road and take the footpath that runs over the bridge. There used to be a toll payable but in 2015 this was no longer the case. Cross the bridge with an excellent view across the Mawddach Estuary to your left.

(1)Reaching the other side of the Mawddach Estuary look out for a stile on your left (grid ref. SH626146). Cross this stile and walk across a raised dyke towards Fegla Fawr (a large rocky outcrop). Turn left along a rough path heading back towards the estuary shoreline. Continue on this path which continues behind a row of houses. At the end of the houses, turn left and locate the continuation of the path running parallel to the estuary.

(2)At the first footpath junction (grid ref. SH633148) continue straight ahead towards another large rocky outcrop, Fegla Fach. Reaching a rough track turn sharp right and follow the footpath inland. Reaching another path, which runs along the edge of a wood on your right. This track some becomes a proper lane which leads to a small car park beside the Mawddach Trail.

(3)Turn right along the Mawddach Trail/Cross Britain Way. This is easy walking and leads you to Morfa Mawddach station. Do not cross the railway but continue ahead to reach the Barmouth Bridge. All that remains is for you to retrace your steps back to the start.(E)

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Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 8 m - Barmouth
  2. 1 : km 2.32 - alt. 2 m - Cross stile on left
  3. 2 : km 3.24 - alt. 6 m - Continue straight at footpath junction
  4. 3 : km 4.27 - alt. 2 m - Turn right along the Mawddach Trail
  5. S/E : km 8.61 - alt. 8 m - Barmouth

Practical information

Starting from the railway station or main car park in Barmouth (grid ref. SH611158) the route crosses the Barmouth Bridge before exploring the area alongside the estuary near the village of Arthog.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.2 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Jude Cohen
Jude Cohen

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I did the route from Barmouth to George III pub and found the ease of following the route description excellent. Would highly recommend, not forgetting the spectacular estuary at low tide.

Deegee 550
Deegee 550

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Done the walk many times. I find the criticism of the route a bit picky..... you'd have to try very hard to get lost on this walk.

Aurelie-21
Aurelie-21 ★

Hi @john113,
We are sorry to hear that and going to improve the description following your advices.
Thanks !

Cheers,
Aurélie - Community manager.

john113
john113

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Distances between one important location point and the next would have helped to remove uncertainty.. Better path description would help ie "Reaching another path (which runs along the edge of a wood). turn right" is better that just "Reaching another path turn right"

The section after waymark 3 is called the Mawddach trail in the description but Cross Britain Way on the map. Not clever.

Lizrwest
Lizrwest

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 12, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Lovely easy walk with great views

aaucott
aaucott

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 22, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Fantastic walk over the Barmouth Bridge. A little further in terms of the circuit or an option to do so would have been better.

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