We
started the first stage by taking a T2 bus from Dolgellau to the highest place
on the A487 at the locally named Mach Loop.
From here there is a stile off the main road and a path heading northwards.
This drops down to a ford by some animal pens then rises uphill alongside an
overgrown green road. The route goes
over the brow of the shoulder of Cadair Idris where it crosses another path before
dropping down through fields to Bwlch Coch where the track becomes a minor
road. A short distance further on a
track goes off to the right into the forestry.
Follow this cycle route to a junction then turn left and follow footpath
signs leading towards Dref gerig. From
here the path winds towards Pen-yr-Allt then drops through woodland to a ford
near Trefeilia. The track reaches a road
which, turning left, drops steeply to a road junction. Turn left for Dolgellau town centre.
Top - Stile off A487 above Mach Loop (Above) ford stream near animal pens
(Above) Looking back towards top of hill over wall.
(Below) leaving farmland to join lane near Bwlch Coch
(Above) Track leaving road to enter forestry
(Below) Path goes round buildings before entering woods
(Below) Follow finger posts to avoid overgrown green lane
(Below) leaving farmland to join lane near Bwlch Coch
The
next stage required us to take the T2 bus back to Mach Loop, where we spent a
good hour waiting for military aircraft to appear and negotiate the steep sided
valley. Our route to the south took us over
a stile on the east side of the road then climbing steeply up a path to the north side
of Bwlch-Llyn Bach. This path joins a minor
road which we follow turning right to head south with forests on the left side
as the road drops to Waenllefenni. A
short distance later there is a footpath off to the right which crosses a
stream then cuts through open country before entering forestry at Cwm Hen-gae. The path emerges from the woodland and passes
Hen-gae then skirts the forest until it reaches an area of disused slate quarries
and tips with impressive workings on the opposite side of the valley. The path joins a road at Aberliefenni. Take a right turn to follow the road to a
picnic spot. Leave the road here to pass
the houses at Caecenau on the right side and then follow the path alongside the
river down to Abercorris. The track
meets a minor road where the route heads south skirting the wooded
hillsides.
(Below) Minor road which runs parallel to A487
(Above) Footpath off road to valley by Cwm Hen-gae.
(Above) Track behind buildings in valley (Below) Disused slate workings on other side of valley
(Above) Road through Aberliefenni. (Below) Leaving picnic spot after
Aberliefenni
At the far end of the village
of Esgairgelliog Ceinws there is a track to the left between houses and the
path climbs up to the right. It
continues to rise with woodland on the left.
A track on the right should be followed round to a small reservoir. From here there is a steep climb to a gate in
the forest. The track meets another
track where a right turn leads back out of the forest on the south side of the
valley. A wind turbine will be directly
ahead for a while then the path veers to the south of it towards the remains of
a quarry which lies above the Centre for Alternative Technology.
(Above) Entrance to track at far at Esgairgelliog Ceinws leading to footpath (below)
(Below) View from top of path
(Above) Entrance to forestry at top of hill (Below) Junction on forest road - take right turn
(Above) wind turbine beyond forest. Keep to left of it toward Centre for Alternative Technology
A stile leads into a narrow woodland where the path drops to the buildings in the museum (avoiding the ticket office). Head along the higher track around the edge of the centre towards a woodland on the south side. Keep above the trees to join a path following the contour before dropping to the farm buildings of Glan Dulas mawr and joining a minor road. Turn left, heading south, to the B4404 where a right turn crosses a stone bridge and, shortly later, joins the A487. Turn left following the cycle path which leaves the road to cross the river by a metal bridge then rejoins the main road at the old stone bridge at Pont ar Ddyfi. Turn left and follow the main road into Machynlleth where there are bookshops, art galleries, pubs and cafes to fill the hours.
(Above) Bridge on B4404 (Below) Cycle track to Pont ar Ddyfi
(Below) Minor road which runs parallel to A487
Aberliefenni
A stile leads into a narrow woodland where the path drops to the buildings in the museum (avoiding the ticket office). Head along the higher track around the edge of the centre towards a woodland on the south side. Keep above the trees to join a path following the contour before dropping to the farm buildings of Glan Dulas mawr and joining a minor road. Turn left, heading south, to the B4404 where a right turn crosses a stone bridge and, shortly later, joins the A487. Turn left following the cycle path which leaves the road to cross the river by a metal bridge then rejoins the main road at the old stone bridge at Pont ar Ddyfi. Turn left and follow the main road into Machynlleth where there are bookshops, art galleries, pubs and cafes to fill the hours.
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