Friday 4th August 2017 Lake Vyrnwy Dam - Rhos-y-Gwaliau - 12 miles

Friday 4th August 2017 Lake Vyrnwy Dam - Rhos-y-Gwaliau - 12 miles


Well, this was the section none of us were looking forward to. The whole section from Lake Vyrnwy to just outside Bala was routed on road due to Powys County Council refusing to permit any way-marking over the Berwyn Mountains. This would definitely be easier and thus safer navigating, but road walking can be hard-going!

Anyway, we found our car parking spot near Rhos-y-Gwaliau, only to find we had no phone signal! Fortunately, the others found us without any problem! Our drive back to our starting point followed exactly the route we'd be walking so we had a quick chance to recce the route! Sections were definitely very open and exposed, so following the road looked like a very sensible idea!

Back at Lake Vyrnwy, we left the car and crossed the dam, posing for photos on the dam as this is where you get the best views of the lake.

The weather was good again, we have been so lucky! The lake looked lovely, with the fairytale-like Straining Tower glowing in the sunshine as we crossed to follow the road on the northern side of the lake.

Views of the lake are limited as you follow the road, with tree planting on both sides of the road. The road was really quiet, though this was during the school holidays. We met more cyclists than cars! All in all, pleasant level walking with no risk of getting lost!

We decided to have a break at the RSPB Peregrine Watch lakeside bird hide at the far end of ythe lake, before starting the climb over the Berwyn Mountains to Bala. How civilised! Comfy padded seats! Not many birds to be seen though, let alone peregrines!

We then took the road to Bala - supposedly a very minor road - but we met more traffic on this single carriageway than around the lake! However, it was still relatively quiet and it was good to tackle the long sustained climb with even ground underfoot!

Soon we were climbing through conifer forest, not quite as gloomy as some we've walked through - the trees being less densely packed and allowing some light and life through. The land rose steeply with a bank rising to our right and the land dropping away to the left.

Finally, you emerge out over a cattle-grid into more open moorland. The climb evens out and you then cross into the Snowdonia National Park.

The landscape was stunning - huge expanses of open moorland all starting to purple up with the heather coming into bloom.

The road winds up and around with several blind bends and steep drops to the side! You can see how easy it would be to get lost up here, especially in poor conditions.

Now you've reached the summit of the Hirnant Pass over 1600 ft, so then its downhill to Bala!Walking on the road certainly allowed you to appreciate the scenery, stunning views all down the Hirnant Valley. The road follows down into the valley bottom. Here you meet more woodland and a stream in a much gentler landscape. This you follow until you reach the parking area where the route leaves the road to where we had parked.

Again, another pleasant days walking, far better than expected. Perhaps sending the route along roads was the best decision after all!