Leave Abergynolwyn Station and, after a short stretch of road, you are soon walking along a steep gorge defined by the Afon Dysynni, which squeezes through this narrow gap before reaching Dyffryn Dysynni, where it turns south-west and heads for the sea. A very quiet lane is then joined at Pont Ystumanner and this is followed for a short way to Llan llwyda, with the craggy hulk of Bird Rock directly ahead.
Calculated time: 2h40[?] 
Distance : 7.57km
Vertical gain : 174m
Vertical drop : 181m
Highest point : 192m
Lowest point : 14m 
Difficulty : 
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Snowdonia 
Location : Llanfihangel-y-Pennant
Starting point : N 52.639814° / W 3.964768° (D/A) Leave Abergynolwyn Station and walk down to the road. Turn right and walk along the verge until you see a footpath sign on the left-hand side, as you are approaching Abergynolwyn. Carefully cross the road and walk up the track as directed for about 15 yards, cross a stile and follow the track to the right. Cross a ladder-stile by a gate and continue. Pass a house to the right as the clear track ends. Maintain your direction across a field towards a tiny section of the fence over an equally small stream. Here the path becomes clearly defined – continue along the gorge, with the Dysynni to your right. Cross a ladder stile and continue, with the river now well below you on the right. The views here are superb. Cross a stile and continue, to reach another stile. Cross this and continue. Eventually, the path descends and joins the river. Pass a gate and stile by a broken fence and keep to the path. Go through the right-hand gate by Rhiwlas and then descend along the track to join a minor road through a gate.
(1) Continue ahead along the road (don't cross the bridge), with the river still to your right. Pass Tyn-y-bryn, the house of Dr William Owen Pugh (1759-1835). Continue along the road, to eventually reach Llanllwyda, where there is excellent caravanning and camping. The craggy profile of Bird Rock is dead ahead.
(2) As the road bends to the right, turn left over the signed ladder-stile and climb to join a green track, which continues uphill beside a stone wall on the left. Follow this up to a gate, go through and continue, curving initially to the left and then around the hill to the right. Go through a gate and continue ahead. Look for a gap in the wall to your left. Go through this and continue ahead to cross a stile by a gate. Now follow a track to join a surfaced lane.
(3) Turn left. Go through a gate and follow the surfaced lane, continuing through another gate and on beneath trees. Continue on the lane, passing Rhiwerfa. Ignore the footpath which beckons to the right and continue along the lane. Ignore the forest track on the left and continue downhill to descend a very steep 'S' bend, enjoying the views along the valley which open up as the trees clear. Join the main road through a gate, cross the road and turn left to return to Abergynolwyn Station, walking along the wide grassy verge.(D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : km 0 - alt. 79m - Abergynolwyn Station
1 : km 2.59 - alt. 24m - Road
2 : km 3.86 - alt. 23m - Ladder-stile
3 : km 5.15 - alt. 166m - Gate
D/A : km 7.57 - alt. 80m - Abergynolwyn Station
Remember this is sheep country : if you must take your dog, always keep it on a lead.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Abergynolwyn Station :
When the line opened in 1865, Abergynolwyn was the terminus. Slate from the Bryn Eglwys Quarry was brought down to here for transportation by cable worked inclines and mineral railway. The village was built to house workers in the quarry. When work ended here in 1946, the railway’s owner pledged to keep the line open for as long as he lived.
Global average : 4.33/5
Number of opinions : 1
Description quality : 5/5
Routemap quality : 3/5
Walk interest : 5/5
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 26/10/20
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Average
Walk interest
: Very good
A walk in beautiful countryside with a variety of interest from the narrow gauge railway station to the wonderful views above the Dysynni valley when it opens up beneath you. Unspolit countryside throughout and only short stretches of a very quiet road .
10.28km
+190m
-194m
3h30
Moderate
Starting point in Llanfihangel-y-Pennant - Gwynedd This Gwynedd walk is full of interest with a section across the hills, an historic chapel and a ruined castle. The final section is through a gorge. This is a surprisingly beautiful part of Snowdonia.
8.95km
+296m
-294m
3h25
Starting point in Llanfihangel-y-Pennant - Gwynedd A fascinating route which circumnavigates Foel Cae’rberllan and passes through the village of Abergynolwyn. You then walk along a valley with the Afon Dysynni hemmed in at its base before veering off above Coed Cae’r-berllan and approaching Castell y Bere, prominent on a rocky outcrop to your left. After visiting castles, you then make your return along the cwm of Nant-yr-eira, initially through woods and then along an open trackway.
6.39km
+33m
-32m
1h55
Starting point in Bryn-Crug - Gwynedd Following quiet lanes and pretty riverside paths down to the Afon Dysynni, this is an easy walk which offers expansive views towards the sea in the west, and the mountains to the east. Your return route passes Ynysymaengwyn on its way back to the station.
5.79km
+171m
-176m
2h10
Starting point in Bryn-Crug - Gwynedd Starting from Rhydyronen, you are soon presented with a stunning vista of the sea and the valley as you climb gently up the lower slopes of the south-western extremities of the Tarrens. A steep descent brings you back to the railway at Brynglas Station, an alternative starting point. You then pass a fine converted mill and the handsome house of Dolaugwyn before making your way through woods and beside Nant Rhydyronen back to the start.
6.51km
+89m
-109m
2h05
Starting point in Bryn-Crug - Gwynedd From Rhydyronen Station, there is a splendid walk up the steep-sided valley of Nant Braich-y-rhiw where, after crossing the stream, you turn sharp left to return to the station to start the second part of this route. If you have the stamina and help with transport, you could continue in a south-easterly direction to cross into Happy Valley. However, to continue this walk you then accompany the railway for an easy walk back to Pendre, passing an area of Open Access Land (Tir Cymen) at Hendy.
6.27km
+248m
-250m
2h30
Easy
Starting point in Tywyn - Gwynedd This is a short walk in the Snowodnia National Park, easily manageable in about a couple of hours making it suitable for families, for an evening excursion or for the remains of a day curtailed by bad weather. It is rewarding and enjoyable, in a land of Arthurian legend, providing varying interest and ever changing panoramas from coastal to more distant mountains.
5.56km
+14m
-14m
1h40
Easy
Starting point in Tywyn - Gwynedd An easy, level walk which visits St Cadfan's church before making a bee-line for the Afon Dysynni.After a walk beside the river, you turn inland, passing a fine dovecot and what remains of Ynysymaengwyn, once a stately home. A short walk along the road brings you to the ancient Croes-faen, where you turn left to either return to the start along quiet lanes or make a short diversion to Hen-dy Station and a ride back in the train.
16.78km
+353m
-351m
5h50
Moderate
Starting point in Barmouth - Gwynedd This Gwynedd walk is full of variety. The route includes a crossing of the Barmouth Bridge, a section of woodland with many waterfalls, two beautifully located lakes and some mountain vistas.
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
