A Welsh Mass Trespass

Saturday 5^th May 2012. Across the country groups were out walking to enjoy the first day of the 870 mile Wales Coast Path.  I joined in with the Caernarfon and Dwyfor Ramblers for the six miles from Cricieth to Porthmadog. It was brilliant: good company, fine weather, blooming flowers and a great sense of occasion.  We all waved at the TV helicopter as it hovered then flew onwards up the coast.

Despite fine weather and being a bank holiday weekend, there was plenty of space, with no feeling of being crowded – the long coastline a vast expanse at low tide. You could almost feel lonely!

It doesn’t sound right but, half way up the Vale of Ffestiniog, my local village of Maentwrog is on the Wales Coast Path! Further downstream is Pont (bridge) Briwet, but that doesn’t (yet) take walkers. It’s about to be rebuilt and maybe, in a few years time, there will be a footbridge. Another alternative is to wade across to Portmeirion at low tide but make sure you don’t step in the wrong part of the sands.

So, if you’ve made it half way up the Vale of Ffestiniog, why not go the whole hog? We’ve created this little eighteen mile diversion for your delight and delectation. The route takes you up to the ancient village of Llan Ffestiniog, with its community pub, then high up to the quarry which housed the National Gallery in WWII and down the other side of the valley where the last wolf in Wales was slain.

Here's a description of where to go and what you might see on The Vale of Ffestiniog Way.