April 2000 - North Wales

Range Walking Club
Sunday April 9th 2000 - North Wales - Betws-y-Coed
This next walk is on Sunday, 9 April in the Betws-y-Coed area of North Wales (the name of the town means "Chapel in the Wood"). This is an outstanding area of natural beauty and has not been visited by the club since 1989. The coaches will leave school at 0800 hrs prompt and should be back in Formby by 1930 hrs. The journey will be along the coastal road (A55) up to the Conway Valley making for a more comfortable journey. All walks finish at Betws-y-Coed where there are a number of cafes and places of interest. The cost of travel is Ł7.00 for adults and Ł4.00 for children and for students in full time education who were formerly pupils at Range High School. Please return slips with cheques (NOT CASH) to the school office by Thursday, 30 March in an envelope marked "Range Walking Club". Boots are necessary on all walks.

Problems were experienced on each of the walks reconnoitred but, having overcome those problems, we think we have come up with a good selection.

'A' Walk
Starting just west of Dolwyddelan we head westwards past the castle at Blaenau Dolwyddelan where we turn north, keeping to the east of the forest, until we reach a small reservoir (697530). From here the route takes us up the south-west shoulder of Moel Siabod to its summit at 2863'. From the top, on a clear day, there are panoramic views of Snowdonia as well as the coastal areas around the National Park. The descent is rocky and leads down past disused quarries of a bygone era to Pant Cyfyng. Following the Afon Llugwy towards Betws-y-Coed utilising a minor road and riverside path which yields a close-up view of the Swallow Falls for no charge, we return to our parked coach.

Distance: 12˝ miles
Ascent: 2800'
Leaders: Ian and Ann Mitchell

'B'+ Walk
From Betws-y-Coed, the walk takes a minor road south through woodland and along the River Conway past Beaver Bridge to the joining with the River Lledr. The road continues above the Conway Gorge until joining the River Machno, past Machno Falls to the pretty "Roman" bridge. A long steady climb along forest roads proves panoramic views of the Convey Valley before descending into the Lledr Valley. Riverside paths are followed west from Pont-y-Gethin to Pont-y-Pant. The return to Betws-y-Coed is up the Roman road and over Rhiwddolion Forest uplands.

Distance: 11½ miles
Ascent: 1700'
Leaders: Arthur Jones and John Hughes

'B' Walk
This walk starts at Betws-y-Coed and goes north, contouring high above the Aberllyn Gorge with attendant waterfalls. This, being the main climb of the day, will be taken at a steady pace until we come to Llyn Parc. Passing along its east shore we take a forest track westwards emerging near the, now defunct, Llanwrst Mine. Time to visit this interesting relic of times past will be made. Turning south then west, we follow a waymarked path down to another ruined old mine called Cyffty. Continuing south-westerly we now start the descent to Swallow Falls but on the opposite bank to the tourist trap area. Following the riverside path for a short distance we then again turn north and ascend north-east before starting the descent south-west to Betws-y-Coed calling at the Crag End view point en route.

Distance: 8½ miles
Ascent: 1000'
Leaders: John Rothwell and Dave Luty

'C' Walk
This walk will be a very easy stroll taking in minor roads and tracks, visiting local beauty spots around Betws-y-Coed. Your walk starts with a pleasant stroll along a track through the woods to Beavers Bridge. A visit to "Fairy Glen", one of the famous beauty spots, will be made - the cost of entry being met by the club. We continue along a Roman road and a short stretch of the A5 before turning onto a minor road to a cafe and woollen mill/craft centre before crossing back over the Machno River. Stopping to view the old Roman bridge and the spectacular Machno Falls, we return to Betws-y-Coed via a minor road.

Distance: 7 miles
Ascent: 200'
Leaders: Nikki Harrison and Linda Trollope