Madog Walks Group

This easy 2.5 mile walk has sweeping sea views across to Anglesey. Portdinllaen was once a bustling port, but lost its trade to the likes of Liverpool and Holyhead. Porthdinllaen headland, once an Iron Age promontory fort From the high point on the cliff top at Morfa Nefyn, walk down onto the sandy beach at the foot of the Portdinllaen cliffs. Follow the beach round to the headland. At the lifeboat station, take the access road up onto the cliff top (once an Iron Age fort,) and return to Morfa Nefyn. Historical Iron Age fort information The date of this walk makes use of the opportunity to dog-walk on this stretch of beach before the May-September high season dog ban takes effect. Beach by the Lifeboat Station Parking National Trust Car Park, (opposite Caffi Porthdinllaen), Morfa Nefyn LL53 6DA There is a charge for this car park, except for National Trust members. Directions From A497 take B4412 into Morfa Nefyn.  Follow ...

Moderate 3.5 mile dog walk skirting across the slopes and forestry of Moelwyn Bach, using some good stone-surfaced forestry roadways. Llyn-y-Garnedd Uchaf Paddling Llyn-y-Garnedd Isaf Llyn-y-Garnedd Isaf is a good halfway point for a break. A bit of shelter at lunchtime! Parking is free at Tan-y-Bwlch Station (Ffestiniog Railway) Car Park. There are no stiles, three pedestrian gates, and a couple of pole barriers to duck under. The ascent is a long steady easy gradient, and the going is fairly even. There are usually no sheep grazing this section of forestry, so plenty opportunity to be off lead. The Cafe and Toilets at Tan-y-Bwlch Station are only open in season, when the trains are running.  The Oakley Arms is at the bottom of the hill, by the A487, and there are Public Toilets opposite, by the bus shelter. Directions : From A487 at Maentwrog, take the B4410 uphill from the Oakley Arms to Tan-y-Bwlch Station. Tan-y-Bwlch Station is well signpos...

Take a gentle 2 mile stroll around the disused quarry. There are many old buildings, tunnels and a Cornish Beam Engine to explore. Take care near the edges of the flooded parts of the quarry, (especially with dogs!) Engine house Dorothea Quarry commenced working in the early 1820s, though there were a number of smaller workings on or near the site before this. By 1848 it had become the dominant quarry in the area, employing 200 men and producing 5000 tons of finished slate. Production peaked in 1872 at 17442 tons. In the 1930s over 350 men were employed at Dorothea. Production dropped significantly after the start of World War II and the quarry closed in 1970. Quarryscape The quarry is now flooded and regularly used (unofficially) for scuba diving. Flooded quarry This is an easy walk but stout shoes/boots should be worn. Dog exploring with mounted videocamera Parking is free by the roundabout at the end of Nantlle Road The track is hardstanding but there are ma...

Pistyll Gwynn                         This is a circular 3 mile walk through the forestry to the Pistyll Gwyn waterfall. There are spectacular views over moorland between Trawsfynydd and the Rhinogs. The lower circular route has gentle ascents and descents and is fairly clearly waymarked. There is an optional 2 mile extra ascent up to the Roman Steps, somewhat steeper. The walk is mostly on good forestry tracks and paths with a firm stony base. There are no stiles, and the path crosses a small number of wooden footbridges. The (optional) moderately steep ascent up to the Roman Steps can be boggy in places, and is accessed through a single kissing gate. Kissing gate on the Rhinog slopes The lower forestry area is gated off from the surrounding hillsides and moorland, and is this keeps the sheep out. There may be some unfenced sheep on the open hillsides of the upper section. ...