Get your walking boots out! Summer’s here so we love to make the most of the long days, warmer weather and (hopefully) blazing sunshine! Today we’ll share one of our favourite walks with you dear blog readers, a Dyffryn Ardudwy walk. The starting point is at the beach there, just a short drive from the Oakeley Arms.

This gentle walk starts by heading away from the sea and into pretty woodland and green fields. The route then takes a small detour to the pleasant village of Dyffryn Ardudwy and up the hill behind it to the impressive site of the Neolithic burial chambers. The walk returns through the village before veering towards the coast to make the return journey along the beach.

With the wide and rugged coastline of Cardigan Bay on one side, and the rolling hills of the Rhinog Mountains on the other, Dyffryn Ardudwy is a pretty village, situated between the larger towns of Harlech and Barmouth.

The beach is the main draw for tourists during the summer months – the wide, golden sands stretch out into the distance, both north and south. On a clear day the sun dances across the blue waters of Cardigan Bay to glimmer on the coastal towns that are scattered along the coast of the Lleyn Peninsula opposite.

Distance – 3 miles

Start – Benar Beach P&D Car Park (from the A496 road near Dyffryn Ardudwy village follow signs for Dyffryn Seaside Estate/Benar Beach)

Grid Ref – SH 573 227 (OS Explorer OL 23 Cadair Idris & Bala Lake)

1: With your back to the sea, leave the car parking area and walk back along the road you drove down, for about half a mile. Just after the large house on the right (Pennar Fawr) look for a footpath sign on the left. Go through the gate here and follow the path towards the trees. Cross a small footbridge over the stream, go through another gate, then over a second bridge and continue through the trees. When you reach the railway line cross the track carefully.

2: Go through a gate on the other side and follow the path through the trees. At the end of the path cross a small stream and turn left onto the lane then almost immediately right at a footpath sign. Cross the stile into a field. Walk along the field edge to cross another stile and emerge onto a lane. To visit the Neolithic burial chambers turn right to pass houses and soon reach the main road with a shop on the left corner. Cross the road, turn right and walk along the pavement to the brown signpost for the burial chambers. Turn left here and follow the path up to the tombs and explore.

A footpath here (in the top right corner) leads to an elegant tree lined avenue which is the entrance to the mansion of Cors-y-Gedol. It was built by a wealthy and powerful family in the 14^th century – the Vaughan dynasty was said to be influential in getting Henry VII to the throne in the late 1400’s. An older building on this spot was also thought to be the home of Llywelyn the Great, who was once the ruler of most of Wales. The manor house was rebuilt in the 16^th century, and is now a popular wedding venue.

3:  From the burial chambers, re-trace your steps back to the main road, turn right, and then left just before the shop to walk back along the lane, passing the stile you crossed earlier. At the next junction turn left and follow the windy road, passing the post box and houses and over a level crossing to walk past the Cadwgan Hotel. The road here turns into a stony track, so stay ahead and then bear left at a footpath sign. Eventually go through a gate into a holiday park. Follow the tarmac road and then go straight over a mini roundabout. Walk past the campsite shop and restaurant and then through a gate (often open). Bear right to follow the way marker arrows through a gate and onto the long path towards the sand dunes, then through another gate that leads into them.

4: Walk straight through the dunes before dropping onto the beach and turn left.

Sections of this beach are officially designated as a naturist beach; during summer months, signs and notices mark the designated areas. It has been used by naturists since the 1930’s, and is widely regarded as one of the best naturist beaches in the UK.

Walk along the beach until you reach a tall red and white pole. Turn left here to follow a boardwalk to meet a road. This passes a sculpture then leads all the way back to the car park.

Neolithic Burial Chambers

Dyffryn Ardudwy is home to some of the oldest burial chambers and tombs in the UK. There are several nearby, but the ones visited on this walk are the closest to the village. The site is unusual because there are two tombs close together, and they are thought to date back to around 3,500 BC, making them a remarkable Neolithic relic. They would probably have been used for family and community burials, and at one time would have been entirely covered by large stones. The site is open all year round, and is free to visit.