Portmeirion Walk

August 14th, 2015

As the sun is shining here this week in beautiful Snowdonia, we’re feeling inspired to get out and about on another walk.

This lovely Portmeirion Walk is just a short hop from the Oakeley Arms. You can either drive to the start point, or catch the bus from outside the hotel, and if you’re feeling really energetic you can walk up the hill to the Tan-y-Bwlch Station, jump on the Ffestiniog Railway to Minffordd and then walk to the start point from there (approx a mile and a half).

Portmeirion is one of the area’s most popular attractions, and it’s easy to see why. This stunning collection of Italianate style buildings seem to have found a home among the gently sloping woodland on the Dwyryd Estuary. The village was the life’s work of local architect Clough Williams-Ellis.

After the end of the First World War, he bought up a crumbling old estate near the traditional Welsh harbour town of Porthmadog, describing the land as “a neglected wilderness” and set about transforming it into his idea of utopia; a perfect coastal village that paid more than a passing tribute to the glamorous air of the Mediterranean.  It became his life’s work, and between 1925 and 1975, he worked tirelessly on designing, building and renovating the village.
Today, the village is run as a hotel and self-catering apartments, incorporating a restaurant, cafes, shops and ice cream parlours.

Distance:          Approx 4.5 miles

Difficulty:          Easy – well marked tracks and paths through gardens

Start:                Portmeirion Car Park (Follow the A487 into Minffordd and at signpost turn into road for Portmeirion, then soon turn right to follow narrow road to car park. Post code for sat nav LL48 6ER)

Grid Ref:           SH 590 372

Maps:               OS Explorer 18 Harlech, Porthmadog & Y Bala

Directions:        1: With your back to village entrance, head to car park exit on left (back towards road) then turn left along drive. Just after passing Castell Deudraeth on left, take right turning at large tree to follow track downhill, then right to continue down road with house on left.

2: At yellow arch seat, turn left along track and follow to end. Turn left at road, heading towards main road. Cross and take narrow road straight head between two houses leading sharply downhill.

3: Cross railway line carefully and at bottom of hill after terrace of houses on left, turn left along lane to eventually reach T junction. Turn right towards Boston Lodge, and follow pavement for approx 100m (just before a lay-by) before crossing road and turning left up a way marked bridleway.

4: At top hill turn left, then soon cross over railway, bearing right, going through wooden gate and follow track uphill. At fork, stay left. Continue through two metal gates.

5: At gate by crossroads, go through and stay ahead, passing cattle grid on left. Follow path and at large stone wall go ahead and through gate. Follow track downhill to another large wall and continue ahead, following windy path along edge of fence.

6: Just before wooden gate, turn right through staggered wooden posts with fence on left to emerge at Portmeirion Car Park. To visit the village and explore the gardens, follow signs at other end of car park. See the map by the toll gate for details of paths and tracks through the gardens.

 

**Please note that these directions are for guidance only. The Oakeley Arms can accept no responsibility for any loss, damage or injury resulting from the use of this information. Always take a map with you and be prepared for the weather for turn. Do not venture out in bad weather.