Summer is here, and our beautiful Snowdonia is basking in the stunning summer colours – bathed in warm yellow sunshine, draped in dramatic red sunsets and cloaked in lush, green leaves from the thousands of acres of forests and hedgerows.

Our walk this time takes us to a stunning location in southern Snowdonia – just a stone’s throw from the Oakeley Arms, and it affords incredible views across the beautiful landscapes.

So if you fancy doing some exploring this week then why not try our glorious Trawsfynydd Walk……

Where:              Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd.

Distance:          Approx 5 miles

Difficulty:          Moderate

Start:                Lay-by on the A470 opposite the entrance to Trawsfynydd Power Station. Sat nav for the Power Station is LL41 4DT (don’t go down the entrance drive, park in the lay-by opposite).

Grid Ref:           SH 698 384

Maps:               OS Explorer 18: Harlech, Porthmadog & Y Bala

Directions:        1: Walk to the Northern end of the lay-by (towards Maentwrog) and follow public footpath down steps and through trees. Go under railway and over stile into woodland. The path is vague here –  head left along stone wall for very short distance before bearing right uphill, then head left for gap in very old broken stone wall. Bear right and uphill to pass under electricity lines and follow their direction to reach stile.

2: Cross it into field and walk along right edge beside fence. At top of field, cross a stile by pylon and into another field; walk along the left edge this time to cross further stile.

3: At next field, bear half right, follow series of way-marked rocks across field, crossing small slate bridge to reach stile. Cross this, over bridge to follow path through rough trees and cross another stile to lane.

4: Turn right, pas entrance to Sychnant and parking area before crossing cattle grid. Look out for grassy remains of Roman amphitheatre on right. Soon after, take second gravelly track on right, with public footpath sign. Follow track past lake and old cottage on right. At quarry buildings stay ahead, follow track as it becomes grassier and stay on it heading downhill to eventually reach ruins near waterfall.

5: Bear sharp right just as you reach ruins, along another grassy track. This is Sarn Helen -keep following it, through gate and continue across fields. Track will meet wall on left so walk beside it for some distance before turning left through gate towards farm buildings. Just before farm follow path diversion signs to right along fence, turning left through way-marked gate then immediately right through another. Walk over field following way-marker and over small footbridge to reach ladder stile on left. Cross it, over slate bridge on left then bear right with way-marker to walk down right edge of field to gate.

6: Go through the gate and walk to edge of fences. Follow signpost pointing right for Amphitheatre, through metal gate and walk along track with wall on left. Continue for some time reach large metal gate with way-marker on gatepost pointing half right.

7: Follow across field, under power lines, passing a ruin and continue to gate. Go through, ford stream and through another gate, marked as Tomen-y-Mur. Walk across field (to visit fort bear left over stile in fence and walk towards ruined farm buildings and distinctive dome shape of Tomen y Mur before re-tracing your steps to field). Continue, to reach some sheep pens and wide gate at top of field.

8: Go through, bear right to loop to lane before turning left and over cattle grid. Pass parking area this time on left, then cross stile a little further along to re-trace your steps across fields and through woodland to lay-by.

**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 and always take care with coastal tides.