Walks you can reach from Dyffryn Ardudwy by train

Wales Coast Path circuit across Barmouth Bridge and around the Mawddach estuary to Fairbourne, returning via a seasonal Easter-to-October ferry.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

The Barmouth Bridge: A Grade II listed railway viaduct across the Mawddach estuary; at 820m it is the longest timber viaduct in Wales, with a walkway alongside the line.

Fairbourne: Coastal village home to the Fairbourne narrow-gauge heritage railway.

Time: 2h–4h

1 lunch spot: Fairbourne Railway café

Warnings: Return ferry to Barmouth runs Easter to October only.

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

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: 30m–1h30

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

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Time: 2h–3h30

Walk details: Rail Rambles.

Similar walk: Railwalks (inc. GPX).

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: 30m–1h

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

Recommended: Fantastic route with amazing views. A varied landscape of hills, estuary, meadows, woodland and beach. The hills around Barmouth are steep and strenuous and with quite a few stiles along the way. Frequent buses and trains run between Harlech and Barmouth for the return. Carry your own food and drink.

Time: 6h–12h30

Lunch: Carry your own food and drink; little is available on the route.

Warnings: The hills near Barmouth are steep, and there are numerous stiles.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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: 3h–5h30

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: 3h30–7h30

Lunch: Café at Dyffryn Ardudwy midway.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Recommended: Mainly an estuary walk, also passing Talsarnau.

Coastal: two thirds along the coast.

Time: 3h–6h

Walk details: Railwalks.

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

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 3h–6h

Walk details: Railwalks.

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

Time: 2h30–5h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

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

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Time: 1h30–3h30

Walk details: Railwalks.

Wonderful views; Stunning views on a good day. A scenic, reasonably direct hill walk over the hills following the Wales Coast Path, with wonderful views, several fairly steep climbs and mostly sheep fields and country/forest lanes. Can get muddy when wet; stiles and ladder stiles make it walkers-only. Follows the Wales Coast Path for most of the way, cutting off the detour into Fairbourne. Passes long-abandoned buildings and disused slate quarries.

The Barmouth Bridge: A Grade II listed railway viaduct across the Mawddach estuary; at 820m it is the longest timber viaduct in Wales, with a walkway alongside the line.

Time: 6h30–12h30

Warnings: Several steep climbs; some stiles and ladder stiles; can be muddy in wet weather. The A493 approach into Barmouth has no pavement and the road to the railway bridge can be busy; Barmouth Bridge has a toll. Waymarking is inconsistent, so carry a GPS or paper map. Follow Wales Coast Path signs over the GPX track at three detours.

Walk details: Slow Ways.