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About Gwydir Forest | About Betws Y Coed
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Having spent yesterday walking through some of the local woodland we saw a track up into Gwydyr Forest so decided our second day in Betws Y Coed would be a perfect time to look around.
Just as with our Llyn Elsi we started out at the train station on a wet day (to see just how we check out Paramo Alta 3 review here) and quickly made our way into the base of the forest after passing over the bridge in the middle of the village. This section is a woodland area with a raised walkway section that’s very easy to walk on and a couple of times the walkway splits around tree’s in a really nice way. Even though it was wet, this section wasn’t slippery. When it comes to an end, the walk continues over a slightly less wooded area as the middle section opens out. At this point, it’s very easy to lose the route, as the path we took is hidden on the left. Walking towards the river keeping an eye on the rocks in front of you will soon show a little hidden gate. Taking this leads through to a field which during our wet weekend was quite flooded.
Luckily, some rather large stones had been put down which helped us across the worst of it. Once over, the rest of the ground was quite low, similar height to the river and due to the fast flow, it was a little concerning although the ground does soon start to get a big higher again and towards the other end of the field where the tree line begins again, you get a nice height above the river.
Through this part of the forest there is a solid path and a few steps but the woodland is a treat keeping you slightly concealed while still being able to see the river running by, again out of the rain this was a welcome relief. Getting to the end of this section was a slightly uphill walk to a gate, from here you can go left and explore the fantastic Llyn Elsi as you can see here.
Turning right as we did takes you on a steep route up through the woodland and eventually starts to gradually get a little easier. Again, you are under a wooded area which will help shield from Sun or rain. Working our way up and up through the fresh wood, we eventually found a rocky section which brings you out into a a field around a farm house, passing by this we found some of the most stunning views and through a gap in the valley you can easily see Snowdon from there and the view across is absolutely stunning.
Moving along the edge of the forest and through the next field we came to a track that was potentially for small vehicles, we never happened across anything, but it is worth keeping your eyes open. This easier path allows for a much better pace than the rest of the walk and we managed to really get a nice walk here and the woodland either side ensured it was a very pleasant stroll. Along this section we also came past a cottage which looked to be rentable right in the middle of the forest which will be one to keep an eye out for. After passing this and coming out onto another track we found a small route that took us off the track and right into the depth of the woodland, this was fantastic and we managed to take this route back down to the looping track, cross it and again enter the woodland. Obviously, it’s easier going on the track, but this was a nice change for us.
Coming out the other side of the woodland and we were met with a huge lake (Llyn Y Parc), we quickly popped up to see this and it is very long vast piece of water that was beautiful in the afternoon sun that had come out. We really wanted to walk around the whole lake, but a drive home was waiting for us, so we started our route back.
The return leg was quite easy, it is one path all the way down, there are lots of adventure route off all the way down but sticking to the main route was the easiest and quickest way to the bottom. It starts off a little steep, so we had to go steady but soon opens into a nice forest walk again and a comfortable angle. Once at the bottom a quiet road leads you out to the bridge in the middle of the village again, at which point it’s a short route back to the train station. It’s a nice route, one we enjoyed a lot and the only problem was wanting more time to explore than we had available. It’s a place we will definitely be coming back to.
