Walking
Dolffanog Fawr is an awesome location for walkers. The numbers and variety of walks are literally endless. Whether you prefer gentle strolls along the valleys or coasts or more strenuous rambles and scrambles in the hills and mountains there are an array of adventures for everybody.
Coed y Brenin Forest Park
Coed y Brenin is one of premier recreational sites in Wales. There are lots of waymarked trails from a few hundred metres up to 10+ miles. There are also running trails, orienteering courses and geocaching. The forest really does offer something for everybody including stunning waterfalls, old ‘mothballed’ gold mines, Go Ape Treetop course and the recently extended visitor centre and café.
The Precipice Walk
A gentle 41/2 mile walk with very little climbing. This stunning walk contours around the peak of Moel Cynwch high above the Mawddach valley. There are outstanding views across the Mawddach estuary out to Fairbourne and Barmouth to the west and the craggy northern escarpment of Cader Idris to the South. Round every corner the views continue to get better and better – remember to take plenty of camera film!
Although busy at times, this walk should not be missed.
The Torrent Walk
This is a 2 1/2 mile circular walk based around a picturesque ravine with the Clywedog River running through it, especially spectacular when the river is in flood. There is also the opportunity to visit the remains of an old charcoal blast furnace.
The Dysinni Estuary
A gentle low level walk that skirts the broadwater (a saltwater lagoon in the lower reaches of the Dysinni River). This could be of particular interest to birdwatchers as there are always a wide variety of waders feeding at the edges of the shallow lagoon. There are also stunning views in land towards Bird Rock and Cader Idris.
Cader Idris
Surely one of the most impressive mountain ranges in Snowdonia. It possibly got the name due to the two high cwms below the main ridge. There are a wide variety of routes up Cadair although the main ones are:
The Pony Path
The Fox’s Path
The Minffordd Path
The Minffordd Path virtually goes from the back garden at Dolffanog Fawr. It continues up to Llyn Cau through a national nature reserve and a variety of wild flowers – especially out of the reach of sheep!
For guests wishing to complete a traverse across the Cader range we will, when possible, drop guests off allowing them to walk back across the range to the house.
The Tarren Hills
Although Cadair’s little brother across the valley these hills feel very remote and are walked far less. There are a network of forestry roads lower down but few marked paths across the summits. A day on the tops in bad weather will really test your navigation skills – we’ve been there and survived! These hills are undoubtedly one of the best kept secrets in Snowdonia.
These are just a tiny selection of walks available. We haven’t even mentioned the Arrans, Arenigs, Rhinogs, Dovey Hills, Plynlimon, Moelwyns, Snowdon, Glyders and Carneddau. We have copies of most relevant guide books and maps and have also done many of the walks ourselves so can provide first hand information and guidance where required.
