Madog Dog Walks Group

I met Brenda today, and learned something new. I had to re-appraise some of my past assumptions about Good and Bad behaviour in the countryside. Benda uses a mobility scooter to get herself out and about in Snowdonia, single-handed. We had a great chat about what makes a route suitable for "walkers" with restricted mobility. Here's Brenda: And here is her most useful tool for disabled access to the countryside: Think about it.  When a mobility scooter arrives at a gate on a footpath, and pulls or pushes it open, how does the scooter-user get back onto the scooter and then travel through the gate without it self-closing upon them? That's where the elastic bungee cord comes in. In this case, someone's kindly provided a simple loop of baler twine, to achieve the same. So, once again, here it is - a simple solution to a not-so obvious problem to able-bodied walkers. Please don't abuse this though.  Please DO close the gate afte

                            Route : Starting at the entrance to Treborth Botanic Gardens, the route runs along the forest/coastal path beside the Menai Strait. It's imporant not to disturb the Red Squirrels, so the first section is best done with dogs on leads through the woodlands. There are some great views across the strait. The route passes under the Britannia Bridge ramparts and continues on to the edge of Vaynol Estate, and then returns. It is also possible to take an optional return route through the Treboth Botanical Gardens Nearest public transport is the set of bus stops outside the Antelope Inn, on the Menai Bridge approach. Obstacles : The (optional) short concrete roadway which leads down to the whatr below the Britannia Bridge can be slippery with green algal slime when wet. Directions:  Turn off the A5 besides the Antelope Inn, right on the mainland end of the old Menai Bridge rampart. This lane runs through the woodland and onward through Treborth B

Getting dogs safely and confidently over stiles seems to be a dark art. Not many stiles have been designed with dogs in mind. Dog-friemdly stiles do exist, although they do seem to be few and far between. Dog-friendly design is remarkably simple. Using many traditional stiles involves a certain degree of canine confidence. Some breeds seem to be better at this than others. Greyhounds, for example, seem to have been bred for speed on the flat, but not necessarily for clambering agility. The legs go everywhere, (especially when being lifted!) The added challenge to be prepared for when getting a greyhound over a stile is the "Greyhound Scream of Death". This often catches non-greyhound owners by surprise. For sighthound afficionados, however, this seems to be par for the course.

S tunning views from a high viewpoint; interesting woodland sculptures; spectacular riverside walk along rock-hewn ledges.                                     Route : Starting (and finishing) at Gelert’s Grave , this fairly strenuous 3 mile hike climbs up the valley side to a viewpoint at a ruined lookout post high above Aberglaslyn Pass. The ruins of the lookout post The route then descends steeply through the Aberglaslyn woodlands.  At one point in the woods there are a number of sympathetic woodland scultures. Leaving the woods, the route then crosses the river at Pont Aberglaslyn, and returns to Beddgelert along the Fisherman’s Path. Beddgelert village takes its name from the supposed burial site of Gelert, the legendary hound of Prince Llewelyn. The "grave" is well signposted, in the meadows along the riverside. Statue of Gelert, near the grave Obstacles : Strenuous in places; footpath surface is highly uneven in places; several flights of