St Davids Walk: Complete Route Details

The St Davids Walk
St Davids to Bangor
Full route details
Section 3 of 4

Days 15 - 18
Total for section: 72.6 Km in 4 days

As in the previous section, accommodation during this period is easy to find and it is suggested that days 15 - 18 be walked on four consecutive days, using accommodation suggested on the accommodation page. It is impossible to reach either the starting or finishing points by public transport so arangements will need to be made for dropping and collecting you.
The route details for any of the 24 days may be quickly found by going to the route map page and clicking the right spot on one of the maps. Then use the browser's back arrow (top left if you are using Explorer) to return to the map page to locate further days' route details.

Rights of Way

Virtually all the route described below lies on legal or permissive rights of way (the few bits that don't, cross open moorland where there is Right to Roam). This means that no one can legally stop you from following the route although you could meet temporary diversions.
As you may already know from bitter experience, not all rights of way shown on the map can be easily followed. Some parts of the pre-2010 route have become densely vegetated, bridges are broken down and farmers have placed illegal barbed wire to prevent cattle from straying.
After re-walking the whole route in 2010, I have therefore extensively revised the route details in the light of changing circumstances. The entire route described below can be followed at present (January 2011) and where there are special difficulties they are mentioned in the accompanying notes.
There will be places where an inviting looking right of way shown on the map appears to offer a better way than the one suggested. Tigers will probably succeed but try them at your own risk.
If you are successful, or if you have any other comments to make, please email me, Michael Slaney, by clicking here

Day 15 - Esgair Hir old mine to Machynlleth
distance from St David's 260.3 Km

start at Esgair Hir old mine SN
732 912

forest/miners' track 3.0 Angler's Retreat 746 923

track 1.7 Llyn Penrhaiadr N end 754 935

cross country 0.6 miners' track 759 934

miners' track 0.7 Hafodwnog 763 938

track 2.9 Bwlch y groesen 767 956

keep on north west 2.3 Mynydd Bach 756 972

track via Bwlch 0.7 Bryn Coch Bach 754 977

track steep NNW 0.5 forest 756 980

track in forest along ridge 1.5 forest exit near Parc 757 964

path NNW 1.5 near industrial estate 754 006

minor road = Glyndwr's Way 0.5 A489, Machynlleth 751 008

A489 0.1 Maenllwyd Guest House 751 008
The charm of today's fairly short walk lies in the gradual transition from wild mountain scenery to civilization in the shape of the quite large town of Machynlleth.
There are no serious route finding problems until Bwlch y groesen, although the section marked "cross country" is a trackless link joining two clear tracks. However, take great care at Bwlch y groesen, where many tracks meet. The correct one is outside the wood, going fairly steeply uphill.
The scenery as you approach Machynlleth is very good, particularly, perhaps, near Mynydd Bach.
You may not find exactly the route we found as you approach the town but it will not matter much.

total for day 16.0 Km
distance from St David's 276.3 Km

Day 16 - Machynlleth to Abergynolwyn
distance from St David's 276.3 Km

start at Machynlleth, probably Maenllwyd Guest House SH
751 008

A489 0.6 Machynlleth clock 745 008

A487 1.4 Dovey bridge 744 020

A493 0.3 turn off on right 741 019

lane 0.9 Cwm Gila 736 022

lane, bearing 350 0.9 enter forest*** 733 028

forest tracks 1.6 Pantyspydded (ruin) 728 040

forest tracks 2.0 forest exit 720 055

see notes* 2.0 Pont Llaeron 701 049

path/old road 2.2 Hendrewallog 687 063

track, surfaced road 1.3 Abergynolwyn 677 069

road through village 0.3 Riverside Guest House 676 072
Leaving Machynlleth on a main road is not much fun but unavoidable. This is the worst traffic you will meet on the whole route.
Once in the forest make for Pantspydded, ***Navigaation in the forest can be confusing and a GPS is exremely helpful as the work going on seems to create diversions and uncertainties. Take care or you will waste a lot of time.
*On emerging from the forest go uphill keeping close to the forest boundary, climb over the fence and re-enter it when you see a clear path. This will then take you to the delightful bridge of Pont Llaeron.
As you descend, Abergynolwyn looks most inviting. See the picture. The station of Nant Gwernol just before reaching the village is worth a look. After visiting the station a pleasant path follows the stream on the opposite side to the station and takes you quickly to the village.

total for day 13.5 Km
distance from St David's 289.8 Km

Day 17 - Abergynolwyn to Barmouth
distance from St David's 289.8 Km

start at Abergynolwyn SH
677 072

minor road North 4.6 Pennant farm 674 096

bridleway via Gwastadfryn 3.4 Hafotty Gwastadfryn 678 123

path 2.8 col (Cader Idris 2 Km) 691 135

Pony path 2.0 road, turn left 698
152

minor road 2.1 path off right 678 145

path past Llyn Cregennen 1.3 road at far end 659 146

winding gated road 1.8 Arthog falls 648 145

path beside falls 0.3 Arthog 646 146

road through Arthog 0.8 bridleway off right 638 143

bridleway 0.2 old railway 638 144

old railway bed 1.3 Morfa Mawddach Stn 628 142

Barmouth railway bridge 1.7 Barmouth 619 155

road 0.4 Bryn Melin Hotel 620 158
A great day's walk, particularly if you have the energy to include the summit of Cader Idris by going right at 691 135, following the easy ridge for just over 2 km and therefore adding slightly more than 4 km to the day's distance When deciding whether to do this or not, bear in mind that the detour involves an ascent of 300 m but that the rest of the day, though quite long, is easy with not much more up-hill.
The rest of the day is full of interest. A delightful lunch spot is reached at 699149, just befor reaching the road at 698152 and Arthog falls are delightful. The Barmouth railway bridge gives a romantically beautiful view of the Mawddach estuary (see the picture)

total for day 22.4 Km
distance from St David's 312.2 Km

Day 18 - Barmouth to Llyn Cwm Bychan
distance from St David's 312.2 Km

start at Bryn Melin Hotel SH
620 158

minor road 3.5 Sylfaen 632 185

track 2.2 path crossing 638 203

path 2.3 Cairn (alt 572m) 638 224

path on old coach road 2.1 Pont Scethin 634 236

bridleway 2.7 Road in Cwm Nantcol 631 257

minor road 2.7 Nantcol 640 273

tough going 2.7 Llyn Gloyw (south end) 647 297

see the notes 2.5 Llyn Cwm Bychan 646 316
The long Rhinog ridge has a fearsome reputation and the next two days offer a delghtful milder alternative to the whole ridge walk from Barmouth to Trawsfynydd in one day which tigers can happily manage if they wsh.
Before reaching Pont Scethin, an extraordinary bridge in the middle of nowhere (see the picture) you pass a stone saying "Courage Traveller", a timely piece of encouragement.
After walking out of Nantcol, the terrain suddenly changes completely and becomes really difficult - the Rhinog boulders and heather - you will find progress slow and you can make things easier if you stay 100 metres or so east of Llyn Gloyw instead o following the lake's east bank. It is a beauiful and wild spot.

total for day 20.7 Km
distance from St David's 332.9 Km