Walks you can reach from Barmouth by train

Mix of tarmac paths and pavements through Criccieth past the castle and seafront, with an optional beach section.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Criccieth Castle: A native Welsh castle on a rocky headland above Criccieth's beaches, with views along the Llyn coast.

Criccieth Lifeboat Station: RNLI station established in 1853 on the seafront.

Time: 2h (30m walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).

Short circuit exploring the Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve, a former munitions factory now managed for wildlife.

Coastal: two thirds along the coast.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Gwaith Powdwr Nature Reserve: Former gunpowder and munitions factory site, now a North Wales Wildlife Trust reserve with woodland and heathland.

Time: 2h (30m walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Transport for Wales (tips, photos and turn-by-turn directions).

Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Rail Rambles.

Recommended: Some spectacular views. An interesting, varied route mostly following the well-signed Wales Coast Path, fairly level with a few short climbs. It crosses coastal heathland, the long sandy Black Rock Sands (with likely shallow stream crossings), secluded bays and a fairly steep rocky outcrop, then weaves around higher ground; some paths can be muddy and puddly when wet. Soft sand and rock outcrops and steps. Follows the Wales Coast Path. Passes the quaint harbour of Borth-y-Gest and Black Rock Sands. Plenty of cafes and toilets en route and at the finish; good transport links.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Lunch: Cafes and toilets both en route and at the finish.

Warnings: A fairly steep rocky outcrop at the eastern end of Black Rock Sands, where the signed coast path differs from the OS map amid criss-crossing minor and animal tracks - care with navigation. Likely shallow stream crossings on the sands. Soft sand and flights of steps.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Reverse direction: Railwalks (inc. GPX).

Recommended: A walk via Dyffryn Ardudwy, then over a beach and wetland.

Coastal: three fifths along the coast.

Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Lunch: Café at Dyffryn Ardudwy midway.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: An inland walk, climbing hills then descending to Fairbourne.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: Nearly all inland, including a hill climb, finishing with a descent.

Time: 4h (2h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: Mainly an estuary walk, also passing Talsarnau.

Coastal: two thirds along the coast.

Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: Flat walk with a choice of beach or golf course routes.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Time: 3h (1h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: Railwalks.

First three miles are good, then it follows a main road and passes through a holiday camp.

Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a third of the walk. Follows a main road for part of the route.

Walk details: Railwalks.

A coast-path walk with clear paths throughout: easy beach walking to Penychain, a roadside path to Llanystumdwy and clear trails around farmland and over boardwalks to Criccieth. Good facilities at both the start and finish.

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk. Watch for spring/extreme high tides on the beach section between Pwllheli and Penychain.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Many good views. A reasonably direct hill walk, mostly on the Wales Coast Path though not very coastal, on good paths and tracks and lanes with several steep climbs and panoramic views. A rough track between farms can be a quagmire; some sections muddy and used by trail bikers. Mostly follows the Wales Coast Path. Passes close to Aberdovey, which can shorten the route by about 3 miles. The route can be split at Aberdovey.

Hilly: a third on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Time: 9h (7h walking, 1h30 lunch, 30m break)

Lunch: A pub at Pennal, roughly midway (no shops there).

Warnings: Several steep climbs; a rough track between Cefn-cynhafal and Bwlch farms can be deep mud. Short sections on the A493 have no pavement; take care. A navigation aid or paper map is useful.

Walk details: Slow Ways.