Wednesday 27th September 2017 Dolgellau - Barmouth - 9.5 miles

Wednesday 27th September 2017 Dolgellau - Barmouth  - 9.5 miles


This was it! Our last section! The weather forecast wasn't brilliant, rain coming in by 1 pm, so we opted for an earlier breakfast to catch the 9.50 am bus to Dolgellau. We felt that once we'd finished it would be a shame to have to collect the cars, so bus it was! For once we surprised ourselves and after another fab breakfast, we were at the bus-stop, boots on, at 9.30!

The bus goes directly to Dolgellau, but then goes all round the houses to change driver! Luckily the driver warned us of this, and we arrived safely back in the square to resume the route.

 Fortunately, the route leaves town via the main car park (and hence loos!) so all set for a relatively easy last leg. The route follows the Mawddach Trail all the way to Barmouth, a well signed foot and cycle way along the route of a disused railway. So, flat, wide, well-surfaced with regular benches!

A bit grey and blustery, so we decided to press on! We reached the toll bridge and the George III at Penmaenpool in good time (more loos!) and met a group of walkers heading to Barmouth for lunch. Our paths were to cross several times along the route!

The estuary walk is stunning even on a grey day with the mountains behind and the sea opening up in front of you with the iconic Barmouth estuary railway bridge gradually coming into view.

As expected, the rain begain to fall - sadly earlier than anticipated! Stopping to put on waterproofs, we were overtaken by 'the walkers', but then we overtook them when they stopped for coffee! Fortunately, although damp, it wasn't cold, so as soon as the rain lifted, off came the coats!

It was one of those days, off and on! The trail bends inland to cross a woodland, before finally coming alongside the railway line in readiness to cross the bridge.

Here we met up with the walkers again, and walked with them across the bridge into Barmouth. A train rumbled across the bridge into Barmouth just as we reached the bridge and down came more rain, so on went the coats again. The views from the bridge are fabulous - Barmouth is one of my favourite places - a proper seaside town, boats on the harbour, a lovely sandy beach, promenade, buckets and spades, candy floss, fish and chips, crabbing, a small funfair.

After crossing the bridge, and on close examination you wonder how they ever built it and how it ever stays up, you head downhill into town.

We left the walkers at the Last Inn for their well-deserved lunch and we headed for the Harbourmasters Office, our official end point. After much searching, we found our marker - a small disc, pinned on the noticeboard on the wall outside the office, amongst all the other notices!

After 280 miles, we had to laugh! We grabbed a passerby to photograph our MOMENT ( and who very kindly made a donation) and that was it.

28 days of walking

280 miles covered (we actually did 294 miles somehow!)

TA DA!


We had walked across Britain on behalf of McMillan Nurses

P.S. Barmouth was not at its best on Wednesday, very grey and rainy, but on Thursday it was stunning!

P.P.S The Tilman in Barmouth was a fab place to stay with very helpful, friendly staff. Many thanks for your help and generous donations. We will return!