Earlier in the week we explored some of the history and the rich maritime heritage of Porthmadog, a small town not far from us here at the Oakeley Arms. And in today’s blog post we’re celebrating this wonderful history with a Porthmadog Discovery Walk. Here’s your chance to explore the town and the coastline and walk in the footsteps of history…..

This Porthmadog Discovery Walk is a lovely town trail to explore Madocks’ towns as well as a de-tour to the pretty harbour of Borth-y-Gest.

Distance:          Approx 5 miles

Difficulty:          Easy – town trail with well marked paths.

Start:                Tourist Information Centre, Porthmadog High Street (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 570 385

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

Directions:

1.  With your back to the TIC turn left along high street and cross road at crossing. Turn right to pass petrol station and over bridge.
2. Before record shop, turn left along path between old garage and houses then go through/round gate.
3. Follow path across sluice gates and around top of embankment. Where path meets road turn right, passing industrial units and over railway crossing. Continue ahead and shortly after passing entrance to sports club on right, tarmac road will end. Stay ahead for approx 20 metres and then turn left along farmyard track. **Before Madocks built the Cob, this land was all underwater and part of the Glaslyn Estuary.
4. Shortly cross railway and ahead through gate with farm on right. Follow tarmac road to emerge on main road, turning right towards Tremadog (please note that there are currently building works on this stretch – take care when passing).
5. At Tremadog Square turn left. After passing entrance to Craig Madog look for footpath on left. Follow path for some distance, eventually passing between edge of two housing estates with brook below on left.
6.  At main road with Queens Hotel on right, turn right. Cross railway and follow pavement up high street. Pass supermarket; at roundabout go straight over to continue along high street.
7. At crossroads turn right for Bank Place (after factory shop). After Indian restaurant turn left along Terrace Road. Stay ahead and slightly uphill following road alongside tall stone wall. After passing terrace on left, fantastic views of harbour and beyond will appear.
8. Continue on road for approx half a mile. After dip and then short down-hill section road will veer sharply to right (white bungalow straight ahead). To visit Borth-y-Gest (and it’s worth doing so), head right downhill then down steps to emerge at harbour. Village centre is at further side of bay. To by-pass Borth-y-Gest village, turn left at bend, head downhill. Follow from #10 below.
9. If you visit Borth-y-Gest, return up steps and uphill but don’t veer left the way you came, instead stay ahead on path between houses that soon leads down zig-zag hill.
10. Emerge on tarmac road and stay ahead passing boat yards, eventually reaching harbour. Follow pavement around green then just after slipway and small boats, stay ahead to cross paved area with benches. Head to top right corner and along narrow path between harbour-master’s office and railings. Stay ahead to reach TIC on left.

**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.