2025 Weekend Away, Bontnewydd, Caernarfon

2nd - 5th May 2025

Friday

After average journeys of around five hours sixteen of us converged at various times from 4pm onwards on, 'The Cadwaladr,' part of a complex of accomodation for larger groups in the village of Bontnewydd, less than a mile from Caernarfon and close to the Snowdonia National Park. We all commented on the spectacular scenery afforded to us as we drove deeper and deeper into Wales.  A tempting taste of the week ahead?

That evening, we shared a simple supper of delicious homemade fare, and after a relaxing and sociable evening we retired to our beds, keen to rest and very much looking forward to the walks on offer the following day.

Jackie, Val, Norman and David had reccied ths trip the previous month and had decided to offer two walks on the Saturday: Mynydd Mawr, around 9 miles with an ascent of 700m and a lower walk of 380m with a distance of 7.5 miles.

The take up was 50/50 demonstrating just how lucky we were to have the variety of walks on offer.

Saturday - walk A

Eight of us set off in two cars, driving approximately 5 miles to the village of Y Fron where we prepared for our ascent of Mynydd Mawr. Weather conditions were cloudy, cool and windy with a promise of sunshine early afternoon.

We left the village gently climbing along the North Wales Pilgrim's Way and soon came upon a disused slate mine; so indicative of the area. We all agreed that full of water and with its imposing slate sides, it really was ' brutality beautiful.' In hindsight, a phrase that summed up the day's walk perfectly!

Before we realised, we had started our serious ascent and soon received stunning views looking back to the Menai Straits, Caernarfon and its castle and Anglesey in the distance.

After a much needed break huddled in a shelter at the top, we began our descent, just as the sun come out, and as if by magic, Snowdon appeared out of the clouds on our left! On our right was the impressive Nantlle Ridge. We were truly spoilt for choice!

We returned along the Snowdonia Slate Trail Valley, surrounded by mountains - weary but thrilled with our exploits.

Saturday - walk B

The remaining 8 took another 2 cars to the village of Talysarn, built to house the workers from the former slate quarries in the area.

The walk went up via narrow paths flanked by drystone walls and past crumbling old farmsteads to reach the hamlet of Cilgwyn. From there we climbed the only hill on the walk, Mynydd Cilgwyn which had great views over the Lleyn peninsula and up to Caernarfon. It was pretty windy on top of the hill, so descended a little to get some relief while we had a coffee stop.

After descending the hill we walked through ond quarries with huge piles of slate debris, old industrial buildings and derelict workers cottages.

Next there was an impromptu session of trying to identify bird songs using an app. None of us had any great expertise but managed to identify two or three. Lunch was spent overlooking the lake at Nantlle Uchaf and after following a brook past a small waterfall, we climbed another small hill to give views back over the lake and to the mountain range beyond.

Back to the start past flooded quarries and having explored the abandoned village of Old Talysarn which has been engulfed by nature over the past century.

That evening we came together again as a group and travelled to, ' Garddfon,' in the pretty seaside village of Y Felinheli for a delicious meal and a few well-earned pints of beer.

Sunday 

We all set off on Sunday walk for a picturesque and exhilarating linear walk via Porth Dinllaen to Morfa Nefyn. After some complex logistics involving cars and drivers, everyone arrived at the right place at the right time to start the walk. The  conditions were perfect: bright , cool and sunny. 

During the day, we were delighted by sightings of seals and various sea-birds.We saw sandwich terns squeaking excitedly before plummeting into the sea, gannets, curlews, oyster catchers, skylarks, meadow pipits, and a majestic kestrel from above as it left the rockface directly below us. The flora and fauna was exquisite: swathes of sea thrift, sea campion, and squill, as well as bluebells and celandines. A true feast for our senses!

The final part of our walk took us to Towyn Farm near Tudweiliog where a little tea room provided very welcome coffee and ice-cream. More complex logistics saw the drivers being taken to retrieve their cars from the start location.

That evening we were spoilt for choice with more delicious home cooked food. 

Monday

Monday's walk was a circular walk of approximately 5 miles, taking in fields and coast. A group of 7 of us set off an a grey, cold morning but were soon rewarded with yet another fine, bright day. We walked along the North Wales Pilgrim's way which met up with the Wales Coast Path at Pistyll Farm.

There was plenty to see - from disused quarries, to an enchanting coppice of hazel and oak. However, St Beuno's church was a real gem. Dating back to the 15th century it was once a hospice with a leper colony, and still today offers solice and refuge to the weary traveller. We were entranced by its floor covered in rushes and herbs.

Walking on it was a sensory delight!

Our walk ended at the visitor's centre in the village of Nant Gwrtheryrn, where most of the group stopped for lunch before making their way home.

A huge thank you to Jackie, Val, Norman and David for putting on such a well organised and thoroughly enjoyable weekend.