Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk starts from the car park at Arthog, beside the Mawddach Trail on the south shore of the Mawddach estuary. A path climbs in the woods beside the Arthog waterfalls, a series of falls above the village, and goes on to Llynnau Cregennen, the two lakes the National Trust owns, with Cadair Idris in view. The line takes in the top of Pared y Cefn-hir, 383 m, for the view over the estuary, then follows paths and lanes north-east down to Abergwynant, where the old railway is now the Mawddach Trail. The trail brings you back along the estuary to Arthog.
It is 15.3 km with 453 m of ascent; allow about 5 hours. The grade is Moderate.
The Park Authority says the walk includes steep or unsurfaced paths in open country, and that boots and waterproofs are essential. About a fifth of the way is on lanes, and the Mawddach Trail is shared with cyclists. There is no café or shop on the hill section.
OpenStreetMap shows no charge at the Arthog car park, which the National Park Authority runs. Morfa Mawddach railway station, on the same trail, is about 1.3 km from the start.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Cregennan's two lakes are owned by the National Trust and are popular for trout fishing
- A clapper bridge near Arthog stands by the site of Llys Bradwen, a 12th-century court
- Abergwynant Woods have been restored by the Park Authority since 1996: conifers removed, native oak and birch planted, rhododendron controlled
- The Mawddach Trail along the estuary runs 15 km between Dolgellau and Barmouth
Summits on the way
- Pen Llynnau Cregennen 279 m · passed close by
- Pared y Cefn-hir 383 m
Getting there
Start: Arthog car park · Free parking. 52.71350, -4.01436
Directions to the start
By train: Morfa Mawddach station is 1.3 km from the start.
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Morfa Mawddach: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.