Oakeley Winter Walk

Ffestiniog Valley Walk

We love a bracing winter walk here at the Oakeley Arms, and we don't need much of an excuse to drag the walking boots from the cupboard, fill up the thermos and head out for an amble.

The forecast's pretty good this weekend, so what are you waiting for? Try our brilliant walk along the Ffestiniog Valley - there are some cracking views and stunning scenery.

This walk leaves straight from the Oakeley. See you in the bar afterwards for a well-earned drink!

Distance:               approx 5 ½ miles

Start:                       Oakeley Arms, Maentwrog

Maps:                     OL Explorer 18: Harlech, Porthmadog and Y Bala

Directions:            

1: Leave the pub and turn left onto the main road; follow pavement round corner towards bridge. Just before bridge over Dwyryd, turn left through gate (at a footpath sign) and walk along top of grassy mound. Ahead are stunning views of the Ffestiniog valley.

2: When you get close to the river, the path swings left. Go through gate, turn right and stay on the quiet lane for over a mile. The river is parallel to the lane at first, then it veers away from it. Finally you will reach a small bridge, cross it and continue ahead to follow lane to a road.

 3: Turn right to soon reach a junction, then turn left and very soon cross over for footpath sign turning right over stone stile. Follow path up through trees and over stile. Walk besides wall for short distance and at a corner of wall where the stones have fallen go through gap and turn left (the wall should now be on your left) towards road.

4: Over stile, turn right on road and walk for almost 200metres. At a footpath sign turn left, through gate and along path. Go through gate then steeply downhill to gate at bottom.

5: Go through small boggy land and head to right, walking along field edge towards the corner. Here head upwards along right edge of field, passing way-marker. At top of field go through gap and stay straight ahead, keeping wall on left. Cross stile and turn left along a track heading downhill.

6: At the road turn sharp right and at end of parking area on the right cross road and turn left down narrow path. Go through gate and soon track will veer to left, but as it ends stay ahead on path through trees which curves left to gate.

7: Through gate and into nature reserve and follow path uphill by river. Turn left to cross bridge and climb steeply. Walk past another information board and follow main path. Go over small stream and through gap in broken wall.

8: At top of woods go over stile and continue straight on to walk alongside wall then through ferns. Over stile then turn left and soon head right up track following edge of trees. At a fork, stay left.

9: You’ll soon reach the old railway track (look for the ruined bridge ahead. Turn left here and walk along the old track; you should be able to see wooden sleepers to mark the track.

10: At Dduallt station go through gate and cross railway line to pass railway buildings. Just after old house on right look for stile over fence on the other side of the track. Opposite the stile, cross the track again and over stile, turning left.

11: After going under bridge follow path through more ferns and go through two gaps in the broken stone walls to stile. Over stile, cross railway, over another stile and turn right. Follow path that heads downhill.

12: At a track by a house, continue ahead and the track will start to go steeply downhill. At a very sharp bend to left keep straight on over stile at footpath sign. Go downhill and cross stream, then carry on descending through woods to gate.

13: Through gate, turn left to follow steeply path down to track. Turn uphill to right, passing house and cross bridge. Go half left along path then through gate to follow windy path through trees. When you reach lane, turn right and then at main road turn right again to reach Oakeley Arms.

**Please note that appropriate clothing and shoes should be worn for this walk, and it should not be attempted in bad weather. It is also recommended that you take a map with you, as well as adequate food and drink supplies.

All directions are correct at the time of writing but the Oakeley Arms cannot accept responsibility for errors, omissions or changes or any damages caused as a result of following these walk directions. Please notify us if you find any errors and we will do our best to rectify them.

Ask a member of staff if you'd like help with directions or advice on the route.