Saturday 18th May, 2019

Lanes and Lakes of the Conwy Valley  (Hike & eBike)

A walk with a biking element – we will be providing you with e-bikes (battery-assisted bikes).  Essentially there will be some 3 – 4 miles of walking, and about 6 miles of biking.

This is an e-bike introduction on quiet lanes and roads with stunning views of the Conwy Valley, its lakes and surrounding hills and mountains. (Please note that there will be no technical terrain, but there are steep hills both up and down, so participants need to be reasonably confident and competent cyclists.)

The walkers will be accompanied by two of our leaders, and the cyclists will also be accompanied by experienced e-bike leaders.

There will be two groups of up to 10 people –

•  The first group will ride by e-bike from Trefriw, ending up at Llyn Geirionydd.  After a lunch stop (with the second group) we will swap and walk back to Trefriw by quiet footpaths.
• The second group will largely do this in reverse, i.e. walk up to our lunch stop at Llyn Geirionydd, then use the e-bikes to return to Trefriw.

Note that if you do not want to ride and walk in the same footwear, you will need to bring a second pair. You will need to ride with your rucksack anyway.

We will provide helmets (but you’re welcome to bring your own).

Duration:  All Day. Please bring a packed lunch.

Distance:  about 3 – 4 miles (5 – 6 km) of walking, plus 6 miles of biking

Grade:  Moderate, and at a leisurely pace

Meet:  10.00 a.m. at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)
or, if the Village Hall repairs are not completed in time, at Peniel Chapel, LL27 0JL, just a minute’s walk up the road opposite the hall.

Leaders:  Cate Bolsover and Colin Devine (walking)
Roger Pierce, Tomos Jones and Tim Ballam (bikes)

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

Booking:   To book a place on this walk, click on the ‘register’ button below.

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

(If you’re interested in biking, you may be interested in Llandudno’s U3A Cycling Groups. Their details are on our Local Organisations page.)

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Sunday 19th May, 2019

Mines and Minerals

The Gwydir Forest was once alive with slate and (mostly) metal mines; indeed in the early 19th century the population of tiny Llanrhychwyn was greater than that of Trefriw!  We’ll be passing some ten workings, both large and small, as we explore this pretty area on Trefriw’s doorstep.

We will walk from Trefriw up the steep path to Llanrhychwyn, firstly passing the old slate caverns on the edge of the Gwydir Forest.  We then descend through the forest to Hafna mine – the largest remains in the area – before passing Parc Mine (the last to close), the tiny Vale of Conwy mine, and Llanrwst mine up at Nant BH. Our return route takes us past the scenic lakes of Bwlch-y-gwynt and Glangors and the panoramic views above the remains of Pandora mine, which fed ore to the mill at Klondyke, which we’ll also pass. We descend to Trefriw on a scenic path above the Crafnant valley.

We’ll be back in time for our now-legendary Cake Fest.

Duration:  All Day.  Please bring a packed lunch.

Distance:  9.5 miles / 15 km

Grade:  Moderate, though with a steep start.

Meet:  9.05 a.m. at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)
or, if the Village Hall repairs are not completed in time, at Peniel Chapel, LL27 0JL, just a minute’s walk up the road opposite the hall.

Walk Leaders:  Karen Martindale and Jan Blaszkiewicz


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

Booking:   To book a place on this walk, click on the ‘register’ button below.

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

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Sunday 19th May, 2019

Views and Vistas

This is a great scenic walk in the higher parts of the edge of the Gwydir Forest, with some lovely open views over the surrounding valleys and over to the mountains of northern Snowdonia.

We’ll catch the bus to Gwydir (just 1.5 miles from Trefriw), then the route heads up from Gwydir Uchaf to Llyn Parc, with elevated views over the Conwy valley, then over to Nant Bwlch-yr-haearn, from where it’s possible (in good visibility) to spot nine 3000′ peaks. We pass the lovely lakes of Llyn Bwlch y Gwynt and Llyn Glangors, each offering their own views over to the mountains, then back to Trefriw via Llyn Geirionydd and above the Crafnant valley.

Duration:  All Day. Please bring a packed lunch.

Distance:  about 9 miles / 14 km

Grade:  Moderate, and at a leisurely pace

Meet:  9.20 a.m. at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)
or, if the Village Hall repairs are not completed in time, at Peniel Chapel, LL27 0JL, just a minute’s walk up the road opposite the hall.
(You will need to pay on the bus (£2.70) unless you have a bus pass.)

Walk Leaders:  Karen Black and Gill Scheltinga

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

Booking:   To book a place on this walk, click on the ‘register’ button below.

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

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Sunday 19th May, 2019

The minibus will take us to Pen y Gaer, an Iron Age fort overlooking the Conwy Valley, from where we’ll walk to the sea at Conwy. Initially we pass through an area of ancient standing stones and burial chambers, to then follow part of the North Wales Path to Sychnant Pass before descending over Conwy mountain.  And once there, hopefully there’ll be time for an ice cream on the quay, if we fancy it, before the minibus returns us to Trefriw, in time for our now-legendary Cake Fest at 4 p.m.!

The walk will reward us with splendid views.

Duration:  A full day. Please bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink.

Distance:  about 8 miles (13 km)

  gradient profile

Grade: Moderate. Remember that it can be cold in the Carneddau foothills, even in May. Please ensure that you have warm, waterproof clothing and good boots.

Meet:  9.35 a.m. at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)
or, if the Village Hall repairs are not completed in time, at Peniel Chapel, LL27 0JL, just a minute’s walk up the road opposite the hall.

Walk Leaders: Colin Devine and Clive Noble

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

Booking:    To book a place on this walk, click on the ‘register’ button below.

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

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Sunday 19th May, 2019

Statements in Stone (aka Graveyard Watch – A walk through history)

We’ll be back in time for our now-legendary Cake Fest.

Duration:  All Day. Please bring a packed lunch.

Distance:  about 5 miles / 8 km

Grade:  Easy/moderate, at a leisurely pace

Meet:  9.45 a.m. at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)
or, if the Village Hall repairs are not completed in time, at Peniel Chapel, LL27 0JL, just a minute’s walk up the road opposite the hall.

Walk Leaders:  Ken Brassil (former Education Officer at San Fagans) and Bernard Owen

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

Booking:   To book a place on this walk, click on the ‘register’ button below.

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

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Sunday 19th May, 2019

Navigation Skills

This walk is ideal for people who want to feel more confident in their ability to navigate. It’s all about making sure you’re familiar and well-practised at the basics, with a solid understanding of what strategies to use if the cloud comes down and you need to navigate your way through the fog.

This is a relatively easy walk with plenty of opportunities to learn more about navigating with a map and compass. A treasure hunt around Crimpiau and Craig Wen in the afternoon will be a great chance to test the skills you’ve learned during the morning.

We’ll be back in time for our now-legendary Cake Fest.

Duration:  All Day.  Please bring a packed lunch.

Distance:  about 6 miles / 9 km

Grade: Easy/moderate, and at a leisurely pace

Meet:  10.00 a.m. at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631) for a car share to Capel Curig (20 mins away) and back.
Or, if the Village Hall repairs are not completed in time, meet at Peniel Chapel, LL27 0JL, just a minute’s walk up the road opposite the hall.

Walk Leaders:  Dave Evans and Nicola Jasieniecka

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

Booking:   To book a place on this walk, click on the ‘register’ button below.

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

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Sunday 19th May, 2019

Family Forage

A family-based (although everyone is welcome) activity walk. We will walk up from Trefriw past the Fairy Falls, following the Afon Crafnant into the beautiful bluebell-filled fields and woods of the Crafnant valley, where amongst many other things we will scavenger hunt, forage for wild food (your chance to munch on Ramson’s and dine on Pignut pie), hug a tree or two, play environmental games and enjoy ourselves. The exact structure of the day and the focus of the activities will depend on the group demographics … and the weather.

We’ll be back in time for our now-legendary Cake Fest.

Duration: about 5 hours.   Please bring a packed lunch.

Distance:  3 miles / 5 km

Grade:  Easy/leisurely. The walk will not be strenuous and will mostly follow good paths, but at times we will at move away from paths and tracks onto rougher ground so suitable footwear is required.

Meet:  10.15 a.m. at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)
or, if the Village Hall repairs are not completed in time, at Peniel Chapel, LL27 0JL, just a minute’s walk up the road opposite the hall.

Walk Leaders:  Pete Kay and Netti Collister

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

Booking:   To book a place on this walk, click on the ‘register’ button below.

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

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Sunday 19th May, 2019

Two Lakes Loop

Join us for the walk that attracts many visitors to Trefriw – the classic round of 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 Klondyke mill and the monument to the bard, Taliesin.

The views at both lakes are great.  After completing our loop of the two lakes we’ll head back to the Trefriw, and if the seasons are kind to us, we’ll take in the vast and stunning field of bluebells as we return to the village.

We’ll be back in time for our now-legendary Cake Fest at 4 p.m.!

Duration:  All day.  Please bring a packed lunch.

Distance:  about 6.5 miles / 10.5 km

Grade:  Moderate, but leisurely

Meet:  10.30 a.m. at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)
or, if the Village Hall repairs are not completed in time, at Peniel Chapel, LL27 0JL, just a minute’s walk up the road opposite the hall.

Walk Leaders:  Cate Bolsover and Mike Bolsover

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

Booking:   To book a place on this walk, click on the ‘register’ button below.

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

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Sunday 20th May, 2018

Moel Siabod round

This is a challenging round starting from Pont Cyfyng, near Capel Curig. We will ascend Moel Siabod by its east Ridge, which involves a bit of easy scrambling and some exposure on the section from Llyn y Foel up to the summit. From the summit (2861′ / 872m) there are great views of the Snowdonia mountains in all directions, but particularly of the Snowdon Horseshoe.  We will descend to Plas y Brenin down Siabod’s broad back (and perhaps have a cuppa in passing), then follow the river Llugwy back to Pont Cyfyng.

Please note that it can be cold on the tops, even in May. Please ensure that you have warm, waterproof clothing and good boots.

We will travel to and from Pont Cyfyng in our minibus, and be back in time in time for our now-legendary Cake Fest at 4 p.m.!.

Duration:  All Day. Please bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink.

Distance:  about 7 miles / 11 km

Grade:  a moderate/hard mountain walk

Meet:  8.45 at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)

Walk Leaders:  Chris Hopkins and Steve Collister

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

(Because this walk makes use of the minibus, numbers are restricted to 12.)

Booking: To book a place on this walk, click on the button below.
Before booking, please click here to check availability of places.

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

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Friday 18th May, 2018

Sacred Doors

This is a lovely local walk from Trefriw which takes in 3 churches and a chapel, namely Trefriw Church, ancient Llanrhychwyn Church, pretty Gwydir Uchaf Chapel and Llanrwst Church.

From Trefriw we will initially head up through the woods above the Crafnant valley to reach tiny Llanrhychwyn church (established in the 6th century), at the highest point of our walk. From here we will descend on the edge of the forest to Gwydir Uchaf chapel (built in 1673 and noted for its fine painted ceiling), with good views over to Trefriw and down the Conwy Valley.  We will then follow the riverbank into Llanrwst to visit Llanrwst church, then continue by the river back to Trefriw.

Duration:  All Day. Please bring a packed lunch.

Distance:  about 7.5 miles / 12 km

Grade:  Easy/moderate, at a leisurely pace

Meet:  10.30 a.m. at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)

Walk Leaders:  Ken Brassil and Bernard Owen

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

Booking: To book a place on this walk, click on the button below.
Before booking, please click here to check availability of places.

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

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Friday 18th May, 2018

Far from the Madding Crowd

Betws-y-coed is busy in the season – but not up at Llyn Elsi where we’ll be going! We start with a walk along the riverside at Betws-y-coed, then crossing MIners’ Bridge to head up to pretty Llyn Elsi, partly along the old Roman Road of Sarn Helen. After walking the mile round the lake (with good views over the mountains of northern Snowdonia), we return to Betws-y-coed.

Although Llyn Elsi lies nearly 700′ above Betws-y-coed, the ascent is long and gentle, then on the way back it’s downhill all the way!

Our minibus will take us to Betws-y-coed, then bring us back at the end of the day.

Duration:  All Day. Please bring a packed lunch.

Distance:  about 5.5 miles / 9 km

Grade:  moderate, much of it on good wide tracks

Meet:  10.15 a.m. at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)

Walk Leaders:  Cate and Mike Bolsover

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

(Because this walk makes use of the minibus, numbers are restricted to 12.)

Booking: To book a place on this walk, click on the button below.
Before booking, please click here to check availability of places.

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

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Saturday 19th May, 2018

The Crafnant Horseshoe

Not for the faint-hearted, this is the probably the toughest walk of the three days, and will demand a good level of fitness. We will be walking the route of the annual 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.

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.

Duration:  All Day.  Please bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink.

Distance:  about 11 miles / 17.5 km

Grade:  Strenuous mountain (see the gradient profile below)

Meet:  8.45 a.m. at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)

Walk Leaders: Tony Ellis and Brian Miller

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

Booking: To book a place on this walk, click on the button below.
Before booking, please click here to check availability of places.

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

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Friday 18th May, 2018

The Tide is High

The River Conwy is tidal to Tan Lan, between Trefriw and Llanrwst. This is a totally level, largely riverside walk on the Trefriw flood plain, with glimpses of the old quay from where slate and metals were shipped before steamers brought passengers in their hundreds. We’ll follow the Cob past Tan Lan to the suspension bridge over the Conwy, then cross to follow the riverbank on the Llanrwst side. After a refreshment stop at Ty Hwnt i’r Bont cafe, we’ll return to Trefriw on this side of the river, by a different route.

Duration:  Half day

Distance:  about 4 miles / 6.5 km

Grade:  Very easy and leisurely, but please wear good footwear as the riverbank can be a bit uneven underfoot.

Meet:  1.15 p.m. at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)

Walk Leaders:  Jan Blaszkiewicz and Kim Ellis


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

Booking: To book a place on this walk, click on the button below.
Before booking, please click here to check availability of places.

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

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Saturday 19th May, 2018

Arctic-Alpine Plants of Cwm Idwal

Arctic-alpine plants make up Britain’s most ancient plant communities and represent the first page of our island’s post glacial natural history. They mostly disappeared as our climate warmed, and have been extinct in most of the British Isles for many thousands of years.  Miraculously, in a few special places a handful of these both extremely beautiful and extremely hardy plants still survive, right on the edge of their geographical and ecological range.

Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve at the head of the Ogwen Valley is perhaps the most famous and the most accessible of these ‘Arctic Refugia’ in Snowdonia

This walk will visit some of these plant communities, take a look at their ecology and past and current threats to their survival as well as other aspects of this magnificent site’s geology, management and human and natural history.

(This is a chance to walk with an expert who knows where to find rare stuff!)

Duration:  All Day. Please bring a packed lunch, plenty to drink and clothing for the upland environment. Binoculars and hand lenses if you have them may also be of use. Return for 5.30pm (earlier if the weather is inclement).

Distance:  No more than 6 miles / 10 km

Grade and suitability: moderate, but participants need to be comfortable walking over, at times, steep and very uneven ground away from paths in an upland environment.

Meet: 9.15 a.m. at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631) for transport via car share.

Walk Leaders:  Pete Kay and Joan Prime

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

Booking: To book a place on this walk, click on the button below.
Before booking, please click here to check availability of places.

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

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Saturday 19th May, 2018

Way Back When (an archaeology walk)

This year we have again teamed up with the Snowdonia Society to present a walk with archaeologist and heritage consultant Dr Sarah McCarthy.

Starting and finishing in Llanbedr-y-cennin, highlights will include the Iron Age hillfort of Pen-y-gaer (with its defensive chevaux de frise), stunning views into the Carneddau and out to Liverpool Bay, and a brief sojourn in one of the best pubs in North Wales!

This will be a ‘mid-level’ walk, with some rougher (off-path) walking.

We will be getting to the start point of the walk in our minibus, returning by the same method.

Duration:  All day .   Please bring a packed lunch.

Distance:  about 5.5 miles / 9 km

Grade:  Moderate

Meet:  9.45 a.m. at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)

Walk Leaders:  Dr Sarah McCarthy and Cat Scheltinga

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

(Because this walk makes use of the minibus, numbers are restricted to 12.)

Booking: To book a place on this walk, click on the button below.
Before booking, please click here to check availability of places.

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

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Saturday 19th May, 2018

Cuckoo Country

The cuckoo (invariably several) can be heard all through May in the scenic area covered by this walk.  The minibus will take us up to Llyn Crafnant, where we will then walk beside the lake to its far end, then up over the bwlch towards Capel Curig (with great views down towards Siabod and Snowdon). On the way back, on good wide paths, we pass small Llyn Bychan before reaching Llyn Geirionydd (where there are toilets), returning to Trefriw on meadows close to the river Crafnant.

We can’t guarantee cuckoos, of course, but this is a great round in its own right, and a lot of hats will definitely be eaten if we don’t hear any!

Duration:  All Day.  Please bring a packed lunch.

Distance:  about 10 miles / 16 km

Grade:  Moderate, with one steep section, but leisurely

Meet:  9.00 a.m. at Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)

Walk Leaders:  Nigel Thomas and Mike Bolsover

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

(Because this walk makes use of the minibus, numbers are restricted to 12.)

Booking: To book a place on this walk, click on the button below.
Before booking, please click here to check availability of places.

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

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