Our Walk Routes at Trefriw

Click on map (or any picture) to enlarge it.

Weather forecast for Trefriw

Fairy Falls, just above Trefriw, both parties will be visiting here.

Lake Geirionydd

B Walk
Leader: Gwyn Jones
Distance: approx 8.5 miles

The walk explores the landscapes around the lakes Crafnant and Geirionydd. From Trefriw we climb up through the woods to the monument at the northern end of Geirionydd (ascent to this point is approx. 650ft). From here we head N West towards lake Crafnant and walk round its north western shore. Then we climb up through the woods (ascent approx. 280ft) then down to lake Geirionydd. We walk along its eastern shore before we head down back to Trefriw. Most of the walk is on good trails and tarmac roads.

C Walk
Leader:Terry
Distance: approx 6.5 miles

From the car park in the centre of the village, cross the main road in front of the Woollen Mill and turn right. At the end of the row of shops - opposite the Fairy Falls Hotel - turn left and walk up the hill. After a few yards, turn left onto the waymarked Trail 4 that will take you to the Falls. From the Falls climb up to the footbridge and follow the Trail 5 waymark signs.

The Trail takes you up into woods above the village and climbs steadily up 680 feet before Trail 8 branches off up a steep slope to a cluster of houses at Penrallt. This lies in a natural hollow and after the last ice age was probably a shallow lake. Over time this has dried out and silted up to leave a large area of marsh and bog which has been colonized by willow to form a Willow Carr.

From here, the Trail winds around the small community of Llanrhychwyn, including taking in the famous 6th Century church.

During the 19th century Llanrychwyn had a larger population than Trefriw with 87 recorded houses and a population of 376. By 1851 the population had increased to 586, due mainly to the flourishing mining industry.

From Llanrhychwyn Church, Trail 8 takes you into Gwydir Forest before a short stretch of narrow road and then a path which descends through woodland to the Conwy Valley floor. The trail crosses the B5106 (Trefriw to Llanrwst) road). WARNING: This road can be dangerous and you are advised to cross with caution. Trail 8 takes you along a farm track, a narrow footpath, and then onto the Cob (flood defences) and along the River Conwy to the suspension bridge. To return to Trefriw follow Trail 1 or extend your walk by following Trail 2 in a loop back to the village.

Before we commence the walk we can have coffee or tea plus a scone at the local provisions shop on the right of the of the Woolen Mill. A coffee shop can also be found here [ not so sure of hot scones though]?.

September Walks from Trefriw

Our next walk will be from the ever popular Trefriw in the beautiful Conwy Valley. We will park by the Old Mill where refreshments can be obtained and any last minute shopping from the Mill Shop (serious shoppers after the walk please!) The views here are spectacular, with high peaks and plenty of water - hopefully already there.

We last visited Trefriw in May 2004, when despite a rather damp start to the day we had a great walk.

The coach will leave the back of Iceland at 8.00am on Saturday 13th September 2008. Pre-booking is essential through the Church office, but there are often spaces available in August for visitors (or for those unable to walk but wishing to visit with us).
There will be 3 parties;

• A ?
  
• B led by Gwyn Jones
  
• C led by Terry

More details will be available nearer the date, but should be 'on site' by 6th September.

Fairy Glen waterfalls in Trefriew

Surveying the falls from the bridge.

2 views on Llyn Crafnant ( I think, not mine!)

Haworth......Saturday......August. 9th. 20008

Steam loco 41241 arrives at Oakworth Station on the Keighley and Worth line.

What a day!!, if we had all been DUCKS we would have been in our 'element' !!

It's the first time I can remember being 'rained upon' all day without a break, we all returned to the coach absolutely soaked to the skin, literally.
But hey, we were in the beautiful Emily Bronte countryside, magnificent scenery, swathes of lovely heather, ( and not a Gypsy in sight !) green fields, small streams, waterfalls, stone bridges, styles, kissing gates, ( no-one was seen taking advantage of these.) we had it all on this great walk. (Except sunshine), but the thing that kept us all going, and able to ignore the inclement weather was, great company and interesting conversation.
The 'A' and the 'B' walkers were fortunate in finding a derelict building which had a good solid roof, enabling us to enjoy our lunch in dry conditions. Unfortunately the 'C' walkers were not as lucky, but they did enjoy a warm start in there usual cafe venue.
The 'A' walkers had to change tack on a number of occasions due to the low lying mist, but each diversion brought more enjoyment.
All adding up to us all wanting more, and looking forward to the September jaunt with enthusiasm.
Thanks again to our leaders: Jenny, John, and Norman.

C Party arriving back in Haworth.

B Group Walk

The weather forecast was atrocious – wet, wet, wet and windy. As the coach set off in dry conditions optimism prevailed, soon to be dampened as the coach encountered the rain (by then, in Yorkshire). So, the mood changed to one of resignation and how to remain dry for the longest time – ‘do the C walk’ is the answer. The net result of these calculations was the B walk registered a meagre 8, actually 6 and 2 guests against an average of 12 plus – such a pity as the walk to Top Withins (on a good day) is stunning with wonderful views. The B walkers got off to an early start through the village onto Cemetery Road and then the Moors. Rain lashing down! An hour’s walking brought us to the Bronte Seat and the bridge over the beck, where we met the Group A resting after overtaking us just before the Bronte Seat. There was some talk of defection as the B walk is shorter, but as the A’s got going up the sharp slope and the long incline to Top Withins, the B’s followed a respectful distance behind. After some 2 hours of leaning into the wind and rain we reached the dry sanctuary of Top Withins looking forward to sitting down for a rest and lunch……only to find the shelter full up with A walkers. They soon left and we had the place to ourselves. But there’s little point in having a long break when you’re soaking wet and there’s more to come so, off we set for the return journey to Howarth. It was a relief to have the wind and rain behind and to know that it was almost all downhill. Still rain lashing down!! On, to Stanbury past the alluring attraction of a number of warm and welcoming pubs to a right turn and down across the lake road. A last uphill section to regain Cemetery Road and our path into Howarth. Rain still lashing down!! Then a split in the party, 4 for a cuppa and 4 for a pint before returning to the coach and ….at last a dry change of clothes.

A good walk of 7 and ½ miles spoilt by wind and rain with a walking time total of just over 3 hours 45 minutes.

John Smith

More photo's of the walk

B Party ready for the off!

B Party find somewhere to have lunch

2 of the A Party wet but happy

Haworth streets pretty deserted

What a difference to our last visit

The Walks at Haworth

All 3 walks cover much the same area and have been roughly marked.
They vary in distance and height gain.
Please read in conjunction with the route description.
Click on map to enlarge and print out if you desire.
Weather forecast for Keighley (nearest town)