To continue our celebration of Walking Month this month, this week on the Oakeley blog, we have decided to give you not one, but TWO fabulous local walks!!

Today, it’s the turn of Porthmadog, a handsome harbour town just a stone’s throw from us here at the Oakeley Arms.

In the Autumn of 1811, a huge celebration was held at the spot that is now the harbour at Porthmadog. William Madocks, a businessman and MP, had finally finished his ambitious project – to reclaim great swathes of land from the sea and to create a safe route across the perilous Glaslyn river sands.

Madocks’ legacy was the cob; an enormous stone embankment stretching across the estuary. Towns were built on the former marsh land, and when a railway was built between the coast and the slate mines at Blaenau Ffestiniog, Porthmadog soon flourished into a thriving harbour, exporting Welsh slate all over the world.

On this walk, discover Madocks’ ingenuity and enjoy stunning views across the Glaslyn estuary to the Snowdon mountain range, as well as a de-tour to the famous Italianate village of Portmeirion.

Distance:          Approx 4 miles

Difficulty:          Moderate

Start:               Porthmadog town (car park at Madog Street – from south take A487 over cob, turn right immediately after Shell petrol station; from north follow A487 through town centre, turn left before Shell petrol station)

Grid Ref:           SH 570 387

Map:                 OS Explorer OL 18: Harelch, Porthmadog and y Bala

Directions:

1: From the car park, head towards Wilkinsons supermarket, passing it on the left. Turn left at the road junction then left again, passing petrol station and over the bridge. Pass terrace of houses and tax office, then veer to the left to follow the path alongside road.

2: Pass the toll house on the right then at the end of the lay-by cross the main road to take a rough road going uphill to the railway line. At the top turn left, cross the railway and go through the wooden gate to follow the track uphill. At the fork, keep left. Continue through two metal gates, and keep ahead.

3: At a gate at crossroads, stay ahead passing a cattle grid on the left. Follow the track and at a large stone wall go ahead and through the gate. Follow the track downhill to another large wall and continue ahead, following windy path along the edge of the fence. Just before a wooden gate, turn right through staggered wooden posts with a fence on the left to emerge at Portmeirion Car Park. (To visit the village, follow signs at the other end of car park)

4: Head to the car park exit on your left, then turn left along the drive and follow it until just past Castell Deudraeth on your left. Take the right turning at a large tree to follow a track downhill and then soon veer right to continue down the road with the house on your left. At a yellow arch seat, turn left along a track and follow to the end. Emerge at the road and turn left heading towards the main road. Cross road (at the pedestrian crossing to your right) and take the narrow road between two houses that heads sharply downhill. Cross the railway line carefully and at the bottom of the hill after the terrace of houses on your left, turn left along another road.

5: Continue to the T junction, turning right, then after passing lay by on your left stay ahead through wooden arch to follow the path alongside the road. Soon after the toll house, leave the path on the left then turn right along pavement. At the pavement end cross the road carefully and go up the steep stone steps on the embankment. At the top, stay ahead and follow railway line back towards Porthmadog.

6: Pass the Ffestiniog Railway station and Spooners bar on your left and continue along pavement. To explore the harbour area and maritime museum, turn left immediately after crossing the bridge or stay ahead for the high street, turning right to go back to car park.

** Please note that dogs are not permitted into Portmeirion village.

**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.