Autumn Leaves

Here at the Oakeley Arms Hotel in Snowdonias, we noticed the other day how the fabulous hot and sunny summer we all enjoyed is turning into a lovely mellow Autumn. The forests that surround us have changed from vibrant and vivid greens to beautiful shades of burnt red and orange that light up the landscape like autumn flames.

And what better way to make the most of this lovely season than to head out for a walk in the forest. We think that there’s something special about forests….. the thick shades of green, the quiet wisdom of aged trees, the soft crackle as walking boots meet dewy undergrowth and the eerie stillness that has inspired a hundred fairy stories and ancient tales.

And autumn is absolutely the best time to celebrate and appreciate these natural leafy wonders; when the chameleon leaves turn from vivid green to deep red then burst to warm orange and rich gold. This is Mother Nature’s final fling before winter’s dreary cloak creeps across the land.

But just why do leaves change their colours so dramatically just before the end of their lives? It’s all down to the chemicals in the leaf. Chlorophyll is what makes leaves green but this chemical is sensitive to the cold, so as the temperatures start to drop in the autumn the chlorophyll starts to deteriorate and the other, hardier chemicals like carotene start to emerge, and that’s when different colours start to explode from each leaf.

image by gorand1983 on sxc.hu

One of our favourite forests close to the Oakeley Arms is the mighty Coed-y-Brenin near Dolgellau (just a 15 minute drive from the Oakeley Arms). Literally meaning the King’s Forest (it was once known as Vaughan Forest, but it was renamed to celebrate King George V’s silver jubilee in 1935), it is one of the area’s largest, and most celebrated woodlands. It is rich history, wildlife and famed for it’s stunning waterfalls and exciting mountain bike trails.

So, why not celebrate Autumn with a lovely walk in Coed-y-Brenin…. see our directions below.

Distance:          Approx 4 miles

Start:                Ganllwyd car park near the public toilets (on the A470 between Dolgellau and Trawsfynydd –on the right before the school if travelling north from Dolgellau, or on the left after the school if travelling south from Trawsfynydd). Nearest postcode for sat nav LL40 2TF (approx)

Grid Ref:           SH 726 243

Maps:               OS Explorer OL23: Cadair Idris & Bala Lake

Directions:        1: Leave car park, cross road, turn left. At black and white tin village hall, turn right through gate. Follow road uphill passing drive to Ty Cerig farm. Shortly after road bends to right, aim for way-marker post in the trees straight ahead a short distance away. At post, turn left along path.

2: Just before footbridge, stay to right to visit poetry memorial stone, then re-trace steps and cross footbridge. Turn right and head upwards for great views of waterfall. Return and walk past the bridge now on your left; follow grassy track through trees.

3: Go through gate then at way-marker post just ahead turn right. Follow steep path uphill which will eventually almost meet stone wall on left. Keep going then just before corner of wall turn left through gate and over bridge, then turn almost immediately right up small grassy path to meet road.

4: Turn right along road, go over bridge and through gate and carry on along path through woods. Shortly (about 75m – there is often a large refuse bin kept here) turn left for narrow path leading through trees. Soon the stream will be on left so continue following the path.

5: You’ll soon reach a gravel road. If you want to visit the remains of Cefn Coch gold mine, turn left here, then soon look for small gap in wall with wooden stile and narrow bridge immediately after. Follow the stepping stones uphill to the remains, then re-trace your steps to the gravel road.

6: Stay ahead (or turn right if you have not visited mines as above), aiming downhill on gravel road (not the small path you earlier emerged on). Follow this road to junction with sharp bend to right, take road on left through gate. Soon, pass house (Goetre). Stay ahead, through gate and follow track straight ahead, passing another house on left.

7: Through another gate and back into woodland. Keep following this road slightly uphill, and you should hear the river on right the other side of the trees. At junction, turn right over bridge, then right again to follow gravel road downhill. Stay ahead until you come to obvious right hand turning (at mountain biking way-marker post) for narrower road leading steeply downhill.

8: Soon this track bears slightly left and you should see wooden gate ahead. Go through to follow path between stone walls. Pass houses on left, and continue. Through one gate, stay ahead and through another gate. Keep on rough path leading ahead and downhill to join road. Turn right and follow road back past Ty Cerig, through gate then left to return to car park.

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. The information quoted is correct at the time of writing. Always take a map with you and be prepared for the weather for turn. Do not venture out in bad weather.

Check with staff if you need any help with these directions or guidance to the starting point.