Best walks to or from Blaenau Ffestiniog

Porthmadog Station to Blaenau Ffestiniog Station

good views. A mostly pleasant route that closely follows the narrow-gauge railway, with slopes that are never too steep and a surface fine for an average walker. It passes a reservoir, lake and forest paths, includes a couple of kilometres on a quiet paved road with a narrow verge and finishes along the Porthmadog seafront. Closely follows the Ffestiniog narrow-gauge railway. Short detour to Coedydd Maentwrog nature reserve.

20km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Blaenau Ffestiniog Station to Betws-y-Coed Station

The views of the surroundings were magnificent. A mountainous walk rising through forest above Betws-y-Coed, past the railway down to Dolwyddelan, then over a ridge onto very rough, uneven, boggy moorland of tussocks and moss and bilberry with magnificent surrounding views. Strenuous and risky without sturdy footwear. There is a shop in Dolwyddelan, not far from the route.

Tough: steep ascents. 19km.

Navigation is poor in places: a wooded crossroads behind Betws-y-Coed and a missing stream crossing near Dolwyddelan (large boulders, dangerous to cross) where no bridge is in sight. The high section over the ridge has very uneven, boggy ground ideal for twisting an ankle; sturdy shoes essential. Can be muddy.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route