Part of the Afon Porth-llwyd seen on the Dolgarrog Memorial Trail.
Surf Snowdonia, seen from the zig-zag path through Coed Dolgarrog.
Not the best location for a footpath pointer!
The zig-zag path through Coed Dolgarrog
More of the zig-zag path through Coed Dolgarrog.
Following the pipe line.
In open country with views along the Afon Conwy as far as the estuary.
Moel Eilio and the Coedty Reservoir.
Stonechat and Bluebells on the Southern slopes of Moel Eilio.
The green track leading to the Cowlyd Reservoir.
Our first views of theAfon Porth-llwyd Valley.
Looking back towards Cwm Eigiau.
More Bluebells as we descended the Afon Porth-llwyd valley to Dolgarrog.
A waterfall on the Afon Porth-llwyd - not at its best.
Emerging from the woodland path at Perthi onto the Dolgarog road.
Walk stats: Distance: 10.0 miles. Climb: 2000' (2500' wind assisted on the GPS) .Time: 6 hours 34 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Ed.
We started off the walk by following the Dolgarrog Memorial Trail, but ended up retracing our steps when the way forward looked a little risky. This was the start of our route finding problem.
Finding the exact start of the walk description and then deciding what to do when the paths we wanted were closed for safety reasons. Eventually we were able to decipher the suggested alternative on a path that went around the back of Taylor Avenue and we started what turned out to be a steep zig-zag path through the wood that seemed to go on for ever, but eventually joined the described route by the pipe line above the restriction. Route finding would be plain sailing from now, or at least we thought it would be!
At least now we were in open country and could enjoy the views as we battled against the welcome wind that cooled us after that slog up the path through Dolgarrog Wood.
Having passed Coedty Reservoir, we heard a distant Cuckoo calling as we headed around Moel Eilio towards the Cowlyd Reservoir. We left the reservoir, shocked by seeing it so low, and took the track heading towards the Cowlyd Reservoir. This started of as a stone track, but eventually turned in to a pleasant green track as it descended in to the valley, but became less distinct as we got nearer to to the pipe line Having negotiated the pipe line we ended up taking the obvious track, but soon realised that we were getting too close to Cowlyd, and decided to take lunch behind a stone wall to protect us from the wind that had become pretty strong and felt cold by now.
After lunch, rather than retracing our steps, we took another path that linked with the one we should have taken on the way to Cwm Eigiau.
At last now, the route was easy to follow and again we could enjoy the views as the wind assisted us on the way back to the Coedty Reservoir.
Soon afterwards we met a couple, who had been exploring a Medieval Township on Moel Eilio. Ed knew then. They joined us briefly, but when they headed back towards Cwm Eigiau, as we headed back down the valley towards Dolgarrog.
Although not planned as a Bluebell walk, we saw plenty, many of them in swathes across the hillside and of course hearing the Cuckoo three times was a bonus, although we didn't actually see one.
Weather conditions were pretty good, not too cold despite the wind and occasional glimpses of the Sun towards the end of the walk.
Birds seen or heard today included: Barn swallow, Common blackbird, European robin, Skylark, Meadow pipit, Winter wren, Stonechat, Common whitethroat, Willow warbler, Grey heron and Cuckoo.
Conditions underfoot were good and firm and we only encountered one boggy patch which was easy to get round.
Overall a really enjoyable walk with Ed having seen Cowlyd for the first time, but it won't be a walk that will be repeated, that climb through the woods from Dolgarrog is one to assign to "the don't do again" file!
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn, where Blue Bell Bitter revived my spirits before heading home.
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