Category Archives: Saturday 17

Bluebells and Cake 25

Saturday 17th May, 2025

Bluebells and Cake

Join us for the walk that attracts many visitors to Trefriw– the classic round which takes in Llyn Crafnant and Llyn Geirionydd.
From Trefriw we ascend past the Fairy Falls and onto the edge of Gwydir Forest.
Gwydir Forest was mentioned in written texts at least 500 years ago, and we’ll certainly witness
some of its history, passing old mine works, the infamous Klondike mill and the monument to the bard, Taliesin.

The views from both lakes are stunning. We’ll take a break for lunch and there will be plenty of opportunity
to talk to your guides about the area along the way. At Llyn Crafnant we’ll walk ½ mile along its shore
to the lakeside cafe (which is where the cake comes in!)

After completing our visit to the two lakes we’ll head back to the Trefriw. If the seasons are kind to us,
we’ll take in the vast and stunning field of bluebells as we return to the village

Duration:  All day.  Please bring a packed lunch.

Distance:  6 miles / 10 km Please confirm Distance

Grade:  Easy / Moderate  Please confirm grade (for guidance click on Walk gradings )

Please be aware that this is a rural area and that all our walks take us out into the countryside
where some parts of paths and tracks will be uneven and sometimes wet and slippery underfoot; it isn’t like walking on pavements!

Departure time:  10.30 a.m. from Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)
Refreshments will be available in the Hall both before and after your walk. (See ‘our cafe’.)  Please stay and socialise!

Walk Leaders:  Lara Martin & Stuart Martin


Click on the map to see the rough location of this walk.

 

Booking: To book a place, please click on the Eventbrite button below (opens in a new tab).
Booking does not open until 15 March.

Please ensure that you have read the booking information, terms and conditions before you attend any walks.

Please note that, although we make no charge for our walks, we do ask for voluntary donations (card preferred, but cash accepted). More details on our funding page.


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Discover Dolgarrog 25

Saturday 17th May, 2025

Discover Dolgarrog, its history and natural history)

Dolgarrog is a small village situated on the western side of the Conwy Valley a few miles north of Trefriw.

2025 marks the 100th Anniversary of the Dolgarrog Dam disaster when one of the then newly built dams above the village, created to provide water for the villages Aluminium works burst and claimed the lives of sixteen of its residents.

Duration:  All day.  Please bring a packed lunch.

Distance: About 6 miles / 10 km

Grade:  Moderate, Moderate, Steep uneven paths for both ascent and descent otherwise good paths. The climb up out of the Conwy Valley is about 300m

Please be aware that this is a rural area and that all our walks take us out into the countryside where some parts of paths and tracks will be uneven and sometimes wet and slippery underfoot; it isn’t like walking on pavements!

Departure time:  10.45 a.m. from Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)
Note : This walk will use Car Share to access the start of the walk.
Please make sure you register at the village hall above first.

Refreshments will be available in the Hall both before and after your walk. (See ‘our cafe’.)  Please stay and socialise!

Walk Leaders:  Pete Kay & Greg Grundy


Click on the map to see the rough location of this walk.

 

Booking: To book a place, please click on the Eventbrite button below (opens in a new tab).
Booking does not open until 15 March.

Please ensure that you have read the booking information, terms and conditions before you attend any walks.

Please note that, although we make no charge for our walks, we do ask for voluntary donations (card preferred, but cash accepted). More details on our funding page.


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On our Doorstep 25

Saturday 17th May, 2025

On Our Doorstep

You may know that there is a series of walks around Trefriw called the Trefriw Trails. What we’ll be doing here is a lovely walk which combines part of four different trails, to make a 7-mile loop, never too far from the village itself.

The walk is undulating, with a total of 1,000 ft of ascent, and sees us on forest paths and on field paths.

Duration:  All day.  Please bring a packed lunch.

Distance:  7 miles / 11 km     Please Confirm Distance

Grade:  Moderate                      Please confirm grade (for guidance click on Walk gradings )

Please be aware that this is a rural area and that all our walks take us out into the countryside where some parts of paths and tracks will be uneven and sometimes wet and slippery underfoot; it isn’t like walking on pavements!

Departure time:  10.00 a.m. from Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)
Refreshments will be available in the Hall both before and after your walk. (See ‘our cafe’.)  Please stay and socialise!

Walk Leaders:  Jan Blaskiewicz and Karen Martindale


Click on the map to see the rough location of this walk.

 

Booking: To book a place, please click on the Eventbrite button below (opens in a new tab).
Booking does not open until 15 March.

Please ensure that you have read the booking information, terms and conditions before you attend any walks.

Please note that, although we make no charge for our walks, we do ask for voluntary donations (card preferred, but cash accepted). More details on our funding page.


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The Crafnant Horseshoe 25

Saturday 17th May, 2025

Crafnant Horseshoe

Not for the faint-hearted, this is possibly the toughest walk of the three days, and will demand a good level of fitness. We will be walking the route of the Trefriw Mill Fell Race, with a total ascent of about 4000′  (that’s higher than Snowdon!)

Ascending firstly up the ridge of Cefn Cyfarwydd – the ridge behind Trefriw – we head along its broad top to the peaks of Creigiau Gleision, from where there are incredible views over to the Glyders and the Snowdon Massif, but also down to the coast. After bagging the lesser tops of Craiglwyn, Craig Wen and the Crimpiau, we descend to Llyn Crafnant, then head over Mynydd Deulyn to Llyn Geirionydd on our way back to Trefriw.

Duration:  All day.  Please bring a packed lunch, and plenty of water

Distance: about 11 miles / 17.5 km Please Confirm Distance

Grade: Strenuous (High) Mountain      Please confirm grade (for guidance click on Walk gradings )
This area is remote, one part is boggy, and it can be cold on the tops, even in May.  Please ensure that you have warm, waterproof clothing and good boots. Gaiters would not be out of order in places.

Departure time:  09.30 a.m. from Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)
Refreshments will be available in the Hall both before and after your walk. (See ‘our cafe’.)  Please stay and socialise!

Walk Leaders:  Colin Devine & Nick Denney


Click on the map to see the rough location of this walk.

 

Booking: To book a place, please click on the Eventbrite button below (opens in a new tab).
Booking does not open until 15 March.

Please ensure that you have read the booking information, terms and conditions before you attend any walks.

Please note that, although we make no charge for our walks, we do ask for voluntary donations (card preferred, but cash accepted). More details on our funding page.


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In the Footsteps of Miners

Saturday 17th May, 2025

In the Footsteps of Miners

Join us for a fascinating journey through some of the more hidden relics of our local slate mining heritage, a landscape recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021. Our route is in the Blaenau Ffestiniog and Cwm Penmachno area and will include part of the renowned National Slate Trail, offering a unique glimpse into the region’s industrial past.

This full-day hike will lead us through a series of abandoned mining villages, past stunning lakes, and culminate in summiting one of the area’s local mountains. From the summit, you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of this historic landscape. Along the way, the remote terrain offers a chance to spot a variety of wildlife, so don’t forget your binoculars and camera!

Duration:  All day.  Please bring a packed lunch, plenty of water, and snacks.

Distance:  9.5 Miles  15 km     Please Confirm Distance

Grade:  Moderate: Please confirm grade (for guidance click on Walk gradings )
The hike lasts between 5 and 6 hours, plus breaks, with an elevation gain of over 2,000 feet.  Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots are essential due to the varied and rugged terrain.

Departure time:  09.30 a.m. from Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)       
Note :
 This walk will use Car Share to access the start of the walk.
Please make sure you register at the village hall above first.

Refreshments will be available in the Hall both before and after your walk. (See ‘our cafe’.)  Please stay and socialise!

Walk Leaders:  Marianne Siddorn & Maria Denny


Click on the map to see the rough location of this walk.

 

Booking: To book a place, please click on the Eventbrite button below (opens in a new tab).
Booking does not open until 15 March.

Please ensure that you have read the booking information, terms and conditions before you attend any walks.

Please note that, although we make no charge for our walks, we do ask for voluntary donations (card preferred, but cash accepted). More details on our funding page.


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Early Bird-Sat-25

Saturday 17 May, 2025

Early Bird

Enjoy the dawn chorus on an early morning walk in the countryside near Trefriw with some local bird watchers.
While walking a loop that includes woodland and riverbank, learn how to identify birds by their song.
We will be going at a leisurely pace, though there will be some rough and short steep sections.
The ground may be wet in places. Good boots and binoculars recommended.

There’ll be a hot drink and biscuits waiting for us on our return to the Village Hall,
and we’ll be back in sufficient time for you to attend another main walk, if you wish!

Duration:  A maximum of 3 hours  (It is likely that some walkers will be wanting to join a later walk.)

Distance:  A maximum of 4 miles, depending on progress Please confirm Distance

Grade:  Easy, leisurely Please confirm grade (for guidance click on Walk gradings )

Please be aware that this is a rural area and that all our walks take us out into the countryside
where some parts of paths and tracks will be uneven and sometimes wet and slippery underfoot; it isn’t like walking on pavements!

Departure time:  06:00 a.m. (i.e. early!) from the main car park in Trefriw (LL27 0JH, SH781631) opposite the Woollen Mill.
NOTE – This walk meets at Gowers car park, not at the village hall.

Refreshments will be available in the Hall after your walk. (See ‘our cafe’.)  Please stay and socialise!

Walk Leaders:  Shaun De Clancy & Cate Bolsover


Click on the map to see the rough location of this walk.


Booking: To book a place, please click on the Eventbrite button below (opens in a new tab).
Bookings open 15th March

Please ensure that you have read the booking information, terms and conditions before you attend any walks.

Please note that, although we make no charge for our walks, we do ask for voluntary donations (card preferred, but cash accepted). More details on our funding page.


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Black Dogs and Broomsticks 25

Saturday 17 May, 2025

Black Dogs and Broomsticks

The two main hills we’ll be walking, are Pen yr Helgi Du (‘Head/Hill of the Black Hound’) and Pen Llithrig y Wrach (‘The Slippery Peak of the Witch’)

This is a strenuous mountain walk, but if the weather is kind we’ll be rewarded by amazing views.

Our minibus will take us to the Ogwen valley, where we will walk up the access track to Ffynnon Llugwy reservoir, then follow the narrow Bwlch Eryl Farchog to climb steeply to the summit of Pen yr Helgi Du (833 m  / 2,733 ft). From here its down and up for a mile to the summit of Pen Llithrig y Wrach (799 m / 2,621 ft). We’ll follow its back ridge down to the dam of Llyn Cowlyd, then return to Trefriw over the ridge of Cefn Cyfarwydd (492 m / 1,614 ft).

(The picture is taken from Pen Llithrig y Wrach, looking back at Pen yr Helgi Du, with beyond it the higher Carneddau mountains.)

Duration:  All day.  Please bring a packed lunch.

Distance:  10m / 16 km

Grade:  Strenuous mountain, with nearly 3,000 ft (900m) of ascent in total. This mountain walk will include some uneven rocky ground, sometimes wet and slippery underfoot with a couple of very short short ‘clambery’ sections, and exposure in a couple of places.

Suitability:  Fit and experienced hill walkers. Participants must be used to coping with rough terrain and long walks in the mountains. Remember that it can be cold at altitude, even in May; please bring warm, waterproof clothing, including hat and gloves, and suitable sturdy boots.

Departure time:  08:30 a.m. from Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)
Minibus out, walking back to Trefriw
Refreshments will be available in the Hall both before and after your walk. (See ‘our cafe’.)  Please stay and socialise!

Walk Leaders:  Keith Hulse, Paul Newell & Mike Bolsover


Click on the map to see the rough location of this walk.


Booking: To book a place, please click on the Eventbrite button below (opens in a new tab).
Booking opens 15th March

Please ensure that you have read the booking information, terms and conditions before you attend any walks.

Please note that, although we make no charge for our walks, we do ask for voluntary donations (card preferred, but cash accepted). More details on our funding page.


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