Dolmelynllyn Estate

Route Description for Dolmelynllyn Estate

From the car park cross the main road and turn left to follow the road towards the black corrugated iron village hall. Immediately after the village hall turn right following the sign for Rhaeadr Ddu. The track leads you uphill alongside the wild waters of the River Gamlan. After heavy rain, the river is particularly impressive- some compensation for a wet weekend in Wales!

As the track bends sharply to the right, follow the waymarked footpath heading off into the woods towards the river and a small wooden footbridge. Cross the bridge and turn right to continue upstream. Shortly, you will reach the spectacular Rhaeadr Ddu. Welsh for Black Falls, these two beautiful waterfalls cascade just over 18 m.

After enjoying the falls, continue upstream following the waymarked route which shortly takes you away from the river and further into the woodland. After approximately 0.5 km, you will pass through a kissing gate. Next, turn right at the ‘T’ junction, following a path up to a small wooden bridge. Cross the stream and continue uphill to meet a tarmacked track and again continue ahead uphill. Passing through the gate into woodland and continuing ahead for 100 m, turn left following waymarkers leading up into the woodland and on to another small footbridge. From here, the waymarkers lead you out into the open moorland. Past the 19th century gold workings, the path turns left and heads downhill through a gate and on to the ruined cottage of Berthlwyd,

The path joins a tarmacked road, turn right to follow it downhill. After 0.5 km, at the stone house, take the path on the right, leading over a stile and into the woodland. Continue ahead on this path until reaching a junction turn right on the main track leading uphill and follow the waymarkers leading further through the woodland. After doubling back on itself, this path brings you out at a National Trust Workbase.

Turn right onto the tarmacked road and continue on to reach the A5 at the bottom of the valley. Turn right towards the Tyn-Groes Hotel and then cross the main road to join the path opposite leading down towards the River Mawddach.

Follow the river upstream. Upon reaching a small lane, exit through the gate and turn left. Follow the lane back up towards the A5 (main road). Cross the road and turn right, using the pavement to follow the main road back to the village of Gwynedd and your starting point.

Want to find more amazing walks in Snowdonia? Check out the Pyg Track to Snowdon, Llyn Ogwen or the Moel Siabod walks.

Insider Hints for Dolmelynllyn Estate

• Good footwear is essential as footpaths are slippery in places.
• Watch for the rock inscribed in Latin by the poet Thomas Grey alongside the footpath leading to the bridge crossing the River Gamlan.
• The waterfalls are particularly impressive after heavy rainfall.