The Dysynni Gorge

(S/E) 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.(S/E)

Remember this is sheep country : if you must take your dog, always keep it on a lead.

Find more information at Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway website here.