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We were spending a couple of days as a 60th birthday treat, ambling down memory lane in a part of Wales I have been visiting for more than 50 years.
Mrs Pigguy, who loves a walk, but whose dodgy knee has a limit of five or six miles, originally suggested I climb Cadair Idris and she'd come and pick me up later. I did the decent thing and said we should find a walk we could do together. We did - and it was grand fun.
- Abergynolwyn
Castell y Bere is one of my favourite spots in Wales - or anywhere for that matter - so I was keen to include that. We parked in Abergynolwyn village and set off up the road that runs above the Afon Dysynni. I'd found a route on the Talyllyn Railway website and was glad I'd checked it otherwise we'd have missed the stile and footpath that leads over to Castell y Bere, avoiding a march around the road.
- Heading away from the road
- The path is straightforward to follow
- Mrs Pigguy sets the pace
It's a fine amble through semi-agricultural land, the path coming and going, but it's easy enough to find your way with plenty of views to enjoy in all directions.
- Castell-y-Bere surrounded by trees
- Castell-y-Bere ruins looking towards Bird Rock
- Looking towards Cadair Idris from the ruins
We had a look around the ruins of the castle built by Llewellyn the Great 800 years ago and settled down for our lunch there in the sunshine. From the castle we rejoined the road down to Llanfihangel-y-Pennant and then took the path directly opposite the church gate, heading east.
The path is well marked most of the way as it crosses between the hills, an enjoyable steady climb alongside the Nant-yr-Eira, following in the (bare) footsteps of Mary Jones who walked from Llanfihangel to Bala to buy a bible in 1800, inspiring the foundation of the Bible Society.
- Path from Llanfihangel
- Looking back down the valley towards Llanfihangel
- Mynydd Cedris
The route has been ploughed up part of the way, but it's simple enough to find a way across and regain the path. We picked up a downward track which went in the direction of Talyllyn Lake, then turned off to the right following a path through woods before coming out onto a field next to the back road which we followed the mile and a half into Abergynolwyn.