Walks you can reach from Llanaber by train
Merionethshire · Wales
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Harlech Station to Barmouth Station (Merionethshire)
5m direct from Llanaber.
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.
21km.
The hills near Barmouth are steep, and there are numerous stiles.
Lunch: Carry your own food and drink; little is available on the route.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Tywyn Station to Barmouth Station (Merionethshire)
5m direct from Llanaber.
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.
Tough: 22km, steep ascents.
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.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Porthmadog Station to Harlech Station (Caernarfonshire)
30m direct from Llanaber.
Lovely section of coast path. A clearly signed coastal route following the Wales Coast Path the whole way, involving stiles and a lot of unmade dirt paths. Some parts follow roads and generally on safe pavements; the final stretch into Harlech is flat. A high tide can inundate the section at Glastraeth. Follows the well-signposted Wales Coast Path the whole way. Good facilities and public transport (bus and train) at both Porthmadog and Harlech.
18km.
Very high tides can flood the section at Glastraeth in places. Depending on whether you follow the cycle path or footpath across the Cob, there may be an awkward road crossing at the end (the cycle path avoids this). Stiles and unmade paths.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Tywyn Station to Machynlleth Station (Merionethshire)
45m direct from Llanaber.
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.
Tough: 24km, steep ascents.
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.
Lunch: A pub at Pennal, roughly midway (no shops there).
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Criccieth Station to Porthmadog Station (Caernarfonshire)
45m direct from Llanaber.
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.
11km.
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.
Lunch: Cafes and toilets both en route and at the finish.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Porthmadog Station to Blaenau Ffestiniog Station (Caernarfonshire)
45m direct from Llanaber.
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
Pwllheli Station to Criccieth Station (Caernarfonshire)
1h direct from Llanaber.
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.
18km.
Watch for spring/extreme high tides on the beach section between Pwllheli and Penychain.