This entry is a bit out of sequence as we have missed out part of the route from Dolwyddelan to the B4391 near Llan Ffestiniog but we will come back to it soon. The  logistics of continuing from Dolwyddelan meant we needed more time and two cars as public transport is sparse. Unfortunately Mike, our fellow traveller, wasn't available until later in the month so we decided to continue with trying to plan a few circular walks which would take in part of the Sarn Helen Path

Our first day involved driving from home and finding the campsite so we only had time for a half day circular walk. This also provided us with an opportunity to try a small café, near the planned walk, at Pont Afon Gam on the B4391. It was worth it and I recommend the hot sandwiches.

There is a parking spot a little further towards Llan Ffestiniog on the B4391 which is where we started this circular walk -

This isn't an ambitious walk but it takes in part of the new Slate Trail and part of Sarn Helen. It also follows the Afon Cynfal down a beautiful gorge with waterfalls that are picturesque .

Starting at the parking place cross the road at the foot path sign and proceed east following the path on the North side of the road, back towards the direction of the café. This basically prevents the need to walk on the busy and narrow road back to the cattle grid, just before the café,where the walk follows the route of the Slate Trail back west along the valley but on the south side of the road and along the gorge.

The slate trail is new and is well marked. Follow the route and the river until you reach a track and Bryn Mawr . Now continue along the track until you come to a T junction near Tyddyn Gwyn Bach and turn right up the hill on the metalled road. A short distance along this road a public path goes off to the right - this is Sarn Helen. Take the path and begin to walk NNE through the fields and gates until you again reach the B4391. Turn right and carefully walk back along the road to the parking spot where your vehicle is parked.

This was a pleasant afternoon saunter which gives good views of the waterfalls and doesn't take long - it also takes another mile or so off the Sarn Helen

The following day, having camped nearby, we again set off on a planned circular walk which would take in a small part of the Slate Trail, and then lead us to Sarn Helen - the main purpose of the day. Having set this as our objective we really did enjoy the walk along the Slate trail - another riverside walk with spectacular waterfalls and gorges. .

We had started our day by parking on the main A470 at Garth - a short distance to the west of  Bont Newydd. Leaving our vehicle in a layby we walked North on a public path back to the Afon Cynfal. This path wasn't well signposted and some of the stiles were a bit overgrown but not impossible. Once at the river you are back on the well signed Slate Trail.  Walk east towards Bont Newydd through some stunning gorges. Eventually you emerge at a metalled road and need to turn left,  after a short distance turn left again past some houses and continue to the main road bridge at Bont Newydd. Cross the road to the track opposite and you are now back on Sarn Helen.


The track then goes uphill towards a forest and then bears right. Eventually on the right hand side you will come to a pair of gate posts - mentioned in Cicerone. The path is sign posted to turn  right through the gate posts. The Cicerone guide however suggests continuing upwards.  As the footpath signs appeared fairly definite pointing through the gateposts, and there was a sign saying no right of way upwards, checked the map and  walked through the gateposts along a track which resembles a private drive. As you approach the buildings the path diverts to the right ( watch out for the small finger post on the right.)  Things get a bit overgrown here but he new signpost are visible until a point behind the buildings where the path is almost impassable and steep. We struggled on across a small stream and climb a steep slippery route through two new walker gates up to an area of cut forestry and then onto a forest vehicle track.

This seems to be a new diversion as the gates are fairly new but the path almost abandoned. I suppose that there aren't many walkers taking this route which also has a number of fallen trees blocking the path ( we intend to go back and investigate what would have happened if we'd followed Cicerone and ignored the signs. if someone else does it first please let us know - the difficult path will be reported to the Council.)
Once we were back on the forest track we turned right, within a few yards the footpath bears left off the track at the footpath signpost. This goes uphill off the track.

The path isn't very well defined in this section but the route is generally uphill - there will be a radio mast that becomes visible as you climb. Eventually you will come to a green lane. Turn right and follow the lane west. The lane should swing to the south and the Mast until it joins a metalled road. pass the mast and the lane becomes a dog leg right before arriving at  Tomen Y Mur Roman Fort. This is well worth having a look at.

After a break from serious walking of nearly a year we are now resuming our research of Sarn Helen. We are still comparing our experiences and the route to that described in the Cicerone Guide for the walk and hope these notes will compliment the descriptions and information in the guide.

In our last entry we left the walk at Dolwyddelan, having shown the two possible routes of the Roman road from Betws ( miners Bridge) and from Ugly House.  We now take up the walk going South from Dolwyddelan. Because of the remoteness of this section in relation to public transport we are going to break the route into sections and add in more of the Countryside to create circular walks so walkers can get back to their vehicles. This first walk is approximately 9 miles ( approx. 4 miles of Sarn Helen and 5 miles back over Y Rowen)

We again parked on the High Street near to the War Memorial. We then walked South over the river and rail bridges.  The guide book explains a route which initially takes in both sides of Afon Cwm Penamner , this route is now well marked so follow the blue footpath signs up into the forest along a well defined track. These signs become apparent as you turn right  after the river bridge and then left after the  rail bridges a short distance further on; the aforementioned forest track starts on your right. Ignore the lane down left to the station.  Watch out for the British Rail 6 ton weight limit on your right, the forest track is on the same side a few metres later.

(The alternative to this is to follow the road right just after the rail bridge which is marked on the OS map as the route of Sarn Helen but watch  for cars.)

This is a fairly moderate part of the walk and you will gain height gradually through the trees - occasionally seeing the road running in parallel to your right.

The walk through the forest is safe and pleasant, keep following the blue footpath signs and eventually you will be led down to a footbridge and a small parking area on the aforementioned road. Turn left here and follow the track south past Tan -y -bwlch farm and on through a gate to Ty'n-y-Cwm. Go through the second gate and bear left over a small bridge and stream. The track divides here so take the left hand path ( the narrow one of the two) over a second small bridge and continue towards the hills in front.  The only way South out of this Cwm (valley) is over those hills  so things now get a little more strenuous.

The path is still signed so don't turn off left or right at junctions but keep going until the path disappears through trees going steeply up.

The climb is hard but fairly easy to follow until you reach the crest and a stile. You cross the stile into open moor land with a fantastic view ( great lunch stop.) 

Instead of continuing on Sarn Helen from here we walked left - approximately NE - along the fence line of the forest and made our way towards Y Rowen. - a decent climb (594m).  The OS map shows a number of fences that can be followed to handrail a safe route through this access land. It's best to follow the fence as there isn't a defined path.  

The climb up to Y Rowen is rewarded with (in my opinion) one of the best views in Snowdonia.  To the west in the immediate foreground is the bulk of Moel Shabod; behind and to the South is Snowdon; and further to the left and south is Knicht.

The route down from YRowen is a green lane marked on the OS map, this is easily followed back to Dolwyddelan.   This is a great circular walk that advanced us on our way along Sarn Helen and got us back on the mountains to enjoy a great view. approximately 9 miles.

To try and meet up with where we left off  from the Sarn we did another circular from Cwm Penmachno. Having driven through the small village park on the left near a sign to the old slate works at Cwt -y bugall Quarry.  The track up to the quarry and works is well defined and the size of the old works surprising. An interesting place of industrial archaeology worth a look. Once you arrive at the works walk  up a steep incline near the tall chimney and you will see a track coming down from right to left. This is just before reaching Llyn Bowydd.  This track is Sarn Helen, continuing uphill to the right ( North) would bring you back to where we emerged from the woods above Dolwyddelan in our last section ( before we took the route over YRowen.)