Arthog and the Mawddach Estuary
"Along the Arthog Falls to Cregennen Lakes, returning along the Mawddach estuary"
Walk directions
From the car park, turn right, heading back up the lane. Take a path on the left and follow an embankment across fields towards St Catherine’s Church. Turn left for a short distance and carefully cross the road to a footpath sign opposite the church.
Climb steeply to a track. Keep ahead for a few paces, then bear right at a marker post to continue climbing steeply through woodland. Below on the left you will now be able to see and hear the Arthog Waterfalls. You eventually emerge on a track with a house visible above and to the right.
Keep ahead for a few paces and cross an attractive clapper bridge on the left. Bear slightly left onto a gravel track and continue gently uphill into rough pasture. Keep ahead along the line of a dry-stone wall, passing a stone ruin. At a corner, bear left between walls and then right, through a gap.
Turn left onto the path, bearing right after a ladder stile to continue along the shore of the lake. Ignore the next path to the right and continue ahead on a clear moorland path. Before long, the path joins the line of a dry-stone wall to the right.
The path eventually curves left, joining the line of another wall. Bear right and drop to a small metal gate to the left of an old farmhouse (Ty’n Llidiart). Join a clear grassy track leading away from the house and continue gently downhill to the corner of a lane. Keep ahead and shortly reach the ruins of Rehoboth Chapel.
On the left-hand bend by the chapel, keep ahead onto a woodland path and descend steeply to rejoin the lane near Kings Youth Hostel. Follow the lane downhill past the hostel and along the lovely wooded valley formed by the Gwynant river. At a T-junction with the A493, turn left.
Almost immediately, turn right, down the drive to Abergwynant Farm. Don’t turn left into the farm, but keep ahead with the stream to your left. A waymarked riverside track continues to a junction with the Mawddach Trail. Turn left and follow the estuary for 2.75 miles (4.4km) back to the car park in Arthog.
Additional information
Terrain
- Clear paths, tracks, minor roads and a cycle path
Landscape
- Oak woods, heather moorland, river estuary
Dog friendliness
- Could run free in woods and away from livestock
Parking
- Free car park at Arthog, down a gated lane off the A493
Toilets en route
- Just off the walk route, at the car park for Llynnau Cregennen
About the walk
Arthog today is a peaceful village on the shores of the Mawddach, but in the late 19th century, a developer from Cardiff, Solomon Andrews, had ambitious plans to build a bustling holiday resort on the estuary. His scheme was foiled by the underlying bogginess of the ground. Only two rows of houses... were ever completed, and the end of one, Mawddach Crescent, swiftly sank into the mud. With costs piling up, Andrews withdrew his investment, leaving the estuary and its wildlife in peace. After a riverside climb through attractive broadleaved woodland, you will emerge onto the open mountain by a beautiful clapper bridge. A short distance upstream stood a building in the Middle Ages known as Llys Bradwen (‘Bradwen’s Court’). The dwelling was home in the early 12th century to the Welsh noble Ednywain ab Bradwen (‘Ednywain son of Bradwen’), leader of one of the traditional 15 tribes of Gwynedd. One part of the building was used as a courthouse, and criminals convicted of serious crimes would be hanged from the branch of a nearby oak tree. The name of the Cregennen Lakes (Llynnau Cregennen) derives from this practice, being a corruption of crog gangen (‘hanging branch’). Despite the gruesome origin of their name, the lakes themselves are a very special place. On a fine day, there are spectacular views towards the towering massif of Cadair Idris and across the Mawddach Estuary towards Barmouth. There is a wild beauty to the area, though on a cold day the wind whistling across the lakes can be biting. In medieval times, there was a thriving township here, and numerous cairns, hut circles and standing stones provide evidence of a human presence dating back to prehistoric times. The final few miles couldn’t be easier, following a disused railway line along the shores of the Mawddach. Opened in the 1860s, the line connected the town of Dolgellau with the coastal line at Barmouth, but was a victim of the Beeching cuts a century later. Fortunately, access has been preserved through converting the track into a popular multi-use trail. Hugging the shore, the Mawddach Trail provides some wonderful vistas across the Mawddach.
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Been on this walk?
Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.
Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
About the area
The county of Gwynedd is home to most of the Snowdonia National Park – including the wettest spot in Britain, an arête running up to Snowdon’s summit that receives an average annual rainfall of 4,473mm. With its mighty peaks, rivers and strong Welsh heritage (it has the highest proportion of Welsh-speakers in all of Wales), it’s always been an extremely popular place to visit and live.
Nearby places to stay
View all (8)
Restaurant with Rooms
The Fanny Talbot
★★★★
"Not just your average seaside gastro pub...."
- Rooms 7
- Satellite TV
- Wifi
Caravan & Camping
Hendre Mynach Touring Caravan & Camping Park
★★★★★
"Walking distance from the beach and Barmouth attractions...."
- Launderette
- Ice pack facility
- Shop onsite
- Wifi available
Caravan & Camping
Trawsdir Touring Caravans & Camping Park
★★★★★
"A path leads to a notable eaterie from this top-notch park...."
- Launderette
- Ice pack facility
- BBQ
- Picnic Area
Nearby places to stay
The Fanny Talbot
First impressions at the Fanny Talbot might suggest a mere seaside resort pub, but this recently launched dining venue offers fabulous interiors, plenty of comfort and a gastro dining r...
★★★★ Rating
Hendre Mynach Touring Caravan & Camping Park
A constantly improving site where the enthusiastic owners invest year on year to enhance the customer experience. Although there is a steep decent to the arrivals' area, staff are alway...
★★★★★ Rating
Trawsdir Touring Caravans & Camping Park
Well run by the owners, this quality park enjoys spectacular views to the sea and hills, and is very accessible for motor traffic. The facilities are appointed to a very high standard, ...
★★★★★ Rating
Penmaenuchaf Dolgellau
Set under the imposing Cadair Idris and overlooking the Mawddach estuary, Penmaenuchaf is a comfortable retreat enjoying peace, fantastic views and dark skies. The house has long been w...
★★★★ Rating
Islawrffordd Caravan Park
Situated on the coast between Barmouth and Harlech and within the Snowdonia National Park, this site has clear views of Cardigan Bay, the Llŷn Peninsula and the Snowdonia and Cader Idri...
★★★★★ Rating
Barmouth Bay Holiday Park
With a mountain backdrop and direct access to miles of sandy beaches, Barmouth Bay Holiday Park is an ideal location for escaping from the pressures of everyday life. Holiday homes are ...
★★★★ Rating
Dolgun Uchaf Bed & Breakfast
Dolgun Uchaf Bed & Breakfast is located in a peaceful area with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. This 500-year-old property was a rich history including a time as a Quaker...
★★★★ Rating
Ynysymaengwyn Caravan Park
A lovely park set in the wooded grounds of a former manor house, with designated nature trails through 13 acres of wildlife-rich woodland, scenic river walks, fishing and a sandy beach ...
★★★★ Rating
Places to eat nearby View all
Places to eat nearby
The Fanny Talbot
AA Rosette Award
Afon Restaurant
AA Rosette Award
Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms
AA Rosette Award
The Firecat
AA Rosette Award
The Hotel Portmeirion
AA Rosette Award
Porth Tocyn Hotel
AA Rosette Award
The Potted Lobster Abersoch
AA Rosette Award
Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa
AA Rosette Award



