Mieko Yamaguchi - My walk
Bangor to Bethesda
From the course of the original tramway near Llandygai which was used to transport slate to Port Penrhyn in the 19th century
From the course of the original tramway near Llandygai which was used to transport slate to Port Penrhyn in the 19th centuryView towards Moel Wnion on a beautiful autumn day
View towards Moel Wnion on a beautiful autumn day
Shaky Bridge over Afon Ogwen near Tal-y-Bont
Cochwillan Mill sign
Some more reassuring arrows on the way to Half Way Bridge
The route description told me to continue through a gap in the wall between a slate pillar and an old tree trunk. And I found the gap!
Sprinkling of snow on the hills from near Llanllechid church
End of the walk for me as this was my first walk after a knee surgery. Looking back towards disused quarries above Rachub.
Another walker photobombed this image of the yew-lined drive of Llanllechid church that I saw on the trail’s website. But I enjoyed his company on the next leg of the walk.
Bethesda to Llanberis
Afon Ogwen
Immediately after this half-sunken cottage take a footpath on the right going downhill.
Snowdon from Sardis Chapel. As you can see it was a gorgeous day.
Snowdon from Sardis Chapel. As you can see it was a gorgeous day.
Found this ancient slate and iron stile “just to the left of one of the telegraph poles” but it wasn’t easy.
One of the many streams to cross - a challenge for walkers with short legs!
Restored Vivian Quarry V2 incline above Llanberis.
Vivian Quarry from the Welsh Slate Museum, Llanberis. The museum is well worth a visit.
Llanberis to Waunfawr
One of the many ruined buildings along the trail between Llanberis and Waunfawr.
This section of the Slate Trail shares the route with the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way.
Looking towards the Glyder range and the Snowdon massif from above Llanberis.
On the way down to Waunfawr.
Dinorwig quarry from above Llanberis on a lovely spring day.
The route between Llanberis and Waunfawr was mostly on easy paths and tracks but this gate on the outskirts of Waunfawr was a real challenge!
Waunfawr to Nantlle
Crossing Afon Gwyrfai in Waunfawr
3 1/4 miles to Y Fron
Ruined buildings above Waunfawr and Moel Eilio
A rock garden on a junction near Rhosgadfan
Mynydd Mawr or ‘Elephant’ Mountain
Nantlle Ridge
Climbing up a slate tip
A flooded quarry pit above Y Fron
Slate steps outside Y Fron
On the way down to Nantlle
More building ruins on the way down to Nantlle
Dorothea Quarry in late afternoon
Llyn Nantlle Uchaf
Nantlle to Rhyd Ddu
Information board at a view point outside the village of Nantlle.
A view of Y Garn, Bwlch y Fellten and Mynydd Drws y Coed beyond Llyn Nantlle Uchaf.
One of many stiles on the route.
Looking towards Tal y Mignedd Isaf farm.
A large chapel for a very small village of Drws-y-Coed.
Over the last stile into the woods and down to Rhyd-Ddu.
Joining B4418 again in Rhyd-Ddu. Another section of the Slate Trail completed!
Rhyd Ddu to Croesor
Rhyd-Ddu to Beddgelert with Cerdded Conwy Walks group. Setting off on Lôn Gwyrfai with snow capped hills. I have walked the first four sections of the trail by myself (still to do section 5) but this walk is combined with the next section which ends in Croesor. Logistically it’s getting difficult if not impossible to depend on public transport.
Rhyd-Ddu to Beddgelert. Llyn y Gader seen from Lôn Gwyrfai.
Another view of Llyn y Gader from Lôn Gwyrfai
A scenic but relatively easy walk along Lôn Gwyrfai from Rhyd-Ddu to Beddgelert.
Rhyd-Ddu to Beddgelert following Lôn Gwyrfai.
Beddgelert to Croesor. After a coffee stop leaving Beddgelert.
Aberglaslyn gorge between Beddgelert and Pont Aberglaslyn. Last time I walked here many years ago I could still walk along the disused railway line
Crossing the Welsh Highland Railway again near Nantmor on the way to Croesor.
Oriel Caffi Croesor at the start of the walk was unfortunately closed.
It had stopped raining by the time we reached Croesor to start our walk. Beautiful Cwm Croesor - there used to be a tramway in the valley connecting the slate quarries with Porthmadog harbour.
Looking back towards Croesor.
Croesor Quarry
An interesting structure in Croesor Quarry
Llyn Croesor dam
Rhosydd Quarry
Cwmorthin barracks
Crossing the Ffestiniog Railway in Tanygrisiau
Monoliths in Blaenau Ffestiniog
Cwm Bowydd
Setting off from the Pengwern Arms, a community-run pub in Llan Ffestiniog on a beautiful morning in June.
A view of the Moelwyns from Llan Ffestiniog.
Cwm Cynfal gorge.
Disused Blaenau Ffestiniog to Trawsfynydd railway crossing the Afon Cynfal.
A steady ascent above Cwm Farm towards B4391.
Llyn Morwynion (Maidens’ Lake)
Abandoned farmstead of Garreglwyd.
The Moelwyns from near Garreglwyd.
A small detour to look at Bryn y Castell Iron Age hillfort.
Looking towards Drum Quarry.
A cavern near Manod Quarry.
Rhiwbach Quarry
On the way down to Cwm Penmachno.
Cwm Penmachno - our goal for the day and the start of the next walk. The guidebook author`s house is the white cottage on the far left
Cwm Penmachno to Betws y Coed
Where we finished our last walk at the entrance to the quarry. Welsh flags and bunting everywhere to mark the Eisteddfod taking place near Llanrwst
Waiting for a bus to take them to the Eisteddfod
Unexpectedly sunny morning in Cwm Penmachno
One of many scarecrows in Cwm Penmachno
There was a lot more water after the recent rain
Another scarecrow in Cwm Penmachno
Another view of the quarry
Looking the other way
Looking back...
Forecast of thundery showers on Friday did not sound promising but Cwm Penmachno welcomed us with blue sky and warm sunshine. The last section from Llan Ffestiniog which we walked at the end of June was the longest and toughest of the trail and we decided to stop in Cwm Penmachno instead of continuing another 5.5km to Penmachno. It was an excellent decision because we were able to return to Cwm Penmachno to enjoy the views of the surrounding hills and quirky scarecrows(?) in some gardens as well as a bus stop! I could not stop taking photos of the valley. Coming over the Migneint moor and quarries the area seemed very remote but coming from Betws-y-Coed and the A5 it is reasonably accessible and there are regular buses. I’m sure to return.
Walking down towards Penmachno
A custom-made roundel holder
Street corner of Penmachno
St Tudclud’s Church
Gravestones outside the church
Local community has installed a coffee machine and sells handicrafts, books, etc. with an honesty box in the church
One of the Penmachno stones
Notice on the door
By the church door
A newly opened Londis shop in Penmachno - impressively well stocked for the size of the shop
“Roman Bridge” dates back to the medieval or post-medieval period but definitely not Roman
Conwy Falls - a lot more water than when I was there a week earlier
Sign as you leave the Conwy Falls Café carpark
My Slate Trail Passport - stamps were collected over five months
Betws y Coed to Capel Curig
A lot of brackens had to be cut back to make the post visible
A footbridge on the trail
Swallow Falls - a free view without having to pay £2! A couple of days later the whole area near the falls including the footpath was closed for filming of Wonder Woman sequel
Pont Tŷ-Hyll on the A5 between Capel Curig and Betws-y-Coed
Tŷ Hyll aka Ugly House - it houses a tearoom and has an extensive woodland garden behind
Capel Curig to Ogwen
When I arrived in Capel Curig the sky was almost cloudless
After a hearty breakfast at Moel Siabod Cafe I took another Sherpa bus back to Capel Curig and started the walk
From the bus stop by Moel Siabod café
A reassuring Slate Trail waymark though it’s impossible to get lost
Tryfan
The trail continues
After crossing the main road (A5) the path on the north side of Llyn Ogwen became uneven and eventually reached the western end of the lake where some scrambling was necessary
Tryfan from across Llyn Ogwen
Llyn Ogwen
Lunchtime view
Ogwen to Bethesda
Nant Ffrancon
Looking back at Tryfan
Lon Las Ogwen
Welcome refreshments