Walks from Blaenau Ffestiniog

Short climb along the Slate Trail to a viewpoint over the Moelwyn Mountains, returning on pavement into Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Slate Trail: Long-distance walking trail through the slate quarrying landscape of Snowdonia.

The Moelwyn Mountains: Mountain range in southern Snowdonia, visible from the route's highest point.

Stwlan Dam: Hydroelectric dam high in the Moelwyn range, visible across the landscape from the route.

Time: 1h–2h30

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk. Short steep climb.

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

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.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 5h–10h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 6h–12h30

Warnings: 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.

Walk details: Slow Ways.