The Ceredigion and Snowdonia Coast Paths. John B Jones

recommended.

      In the route descriptions key features that appear on the OS and sketch maps are shown in bold type to help with navigation.

      In the appendices you will find a summary of the route distances and ascents/descents, and information on facilities such as places with accommodation, shops, cash points and where you can find a place to have lunch or an evening meal, and finally the addresses, websites and telephone numbers of useful contacts, including tourist information centres.

      THE SNOWDONIA COAST PATH

DAY 1

      Porthmadog to Maentwrog

Start	Glaslyn Bridge, Porthmadog (SH 570 384)
Finish	St Twrog’s Church, Maentwrog (SH 664 405)
Distance	14.5km (9 miles)
Ascent	325m (1065ft)
Descent	290m (950ft)
Time	5hrs
Maps	OS Landranger 124; OS Explorer OL18
Refreshments	Wide choice at Porthmadog; pubs and café at Penrhyndeudraeth; Oakeley Arms at Tan-y-bwlch and pub at Maentwrog
Public transport	Regular buses from Porthmadog to Maentwrog and Pwllheli; trains to Pwllheli and all stations to Machynlleth and national routes
Accommodation	Porthmadog (B&Bs, guest houses, hotels, campsites); Minffordd (B&B); Portmeirion (hotels); Penrhyndeudraeth (B&B, campsite); Tan-y-bwlch (hotel); Maentwrog (B&B, hotel)

      The walk begins with a mixture of road, lanes and field paths to Penrhyndeudraeth. Thereafter it is mainly through forest on paths and forest roads, with many ups and downs and some complicated route-finding at times. The going is generally firm underfoot.

      If time allows you may wish to arrive the day before the walk to enjoy a ride on either the Ffestiniog Railway or the Welsh Highland Railway. The walk leaves Porthmadog across The Cob in company with the Ffestiniog Railway before taking to the woods and fields on the headland above Portmeirion, with wide views opening up across the estuary of the Glaslyn. Consider taking quiet lanes rather than the official main road into Penrhyndeudraeth. The path then makes a long loop inland to the crossing point on the Dwyryd, at first through open country with great views ahead to Moelwyn Bach and later through mixed forest, where route directions need to be followed closely. The Ffestiniog Railway is never far away. The route descends via lovely Llyn Mair to Tan-y-bwlch, with a short section of main road to Maentwrog.

      If you are walking the Wales Coast Path in its entirety you will just have completed the Lleyn Peninsula Coast Path section from Caernarfon, a distance of some 145km (90 miles), over cliffs, moors, hills and beaches, following in the footsteps of the Bardsey pilgrims. See The Lleyn Peninsula Coastal Path (Cicerone: second edition, 2006), by John Cantrell.

      The Snowdonia Coast Path starts where the Lleyn Peninsula Coast Path finishes, at the bridge over the Glaslyn. Leave Porthmadog past the terminus of the Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog Railways. Cross The Cob, either on the cycleway, the official route, or the right of way alongside the Ffestiniog Railway. The right of way joins the cycleway at the far end of The Cob. On a good day there are splendid views north to Moel Ddu, Cnicht and the Moelwyns.

      Porthmadog’s harbour marks the end of the Lleyn Peninsula Coastal Path and the start of the Snowdonia Coast Path

      PORTHMADOG AND THE FFESTINIOG RAILWAY