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A shot of the Gamlan river, which is flowing fast though dense woodland in Dolmelynllyn, Gwynedd, Wales. Its banks are covered in moss and grass.
The River Gamlan flowing through woodland | © National Trust Images/John Miller
Wales

Dolmelynllyn Estate walk

Walk alongside the cascading Rhaeadr Ddu Falls – an inspiration to generations of artists and writers – on this scenic circular route, and make sure to see the fascinating remains of the Cefn Coch gold mine.

Total steps: 9

Total steps: 9

Start point

Ganllwyd car park, grid ref: SH727243

Step 1

Cross the road from the car park towards the recently-restored corrugated iron village hall.

Step 2

Follow the tarmac road alongside the River Gamlan to its junction with a stoned footpath, waymarked towards a wooden bridge. As you follow this path look out for a rock inscribed in Latin with a line by the poet Thomas Grey.

Step 3

Cross over the bridge and veer right to Rhaeadr Ddu: the Black Falls. There are two separate waterfalls, both spectacular in all seasons.

Step 4

Continue along the path, following the waymarkers through a kissing gate. A little further on, take the path to your right and cross the wooden footbridge. Carry on along the path to your right, up a tarmac road and through a gate into into recently clear-felled NRW forestry.

Step 5

After about 110yds (100m) turn left up the forestry track. Follow the waymarkers over a rustic oak footbridge and onto the open mountain. From here the waymarkers will take you past the 19th-century gold workings. The path will lead you down to the ruined cottage of Berthlwyd.

Step 6

Walk downhill along the tarmac road as far as the stone house on the left. Take the path to the right and through the gate and into the woods.

Step 7

Carry on along this path until you reach a junction. Take the second path to the right and follow the waymarkers through the woods. This path will bring you to the Merionnydd National Trust work base.

Step 8

Continue on along the tarmac road to the Tyn-y-Groes Hotel. Cross the busy main road and take the path opposite, towards the River Mawddach and the Tyn-y-Groes bridge.

Step 9

Go left along the tarmac road back to the main road. Cross over to the pavement and turn right, back towards the village and the car park.

End point

Ganllwyd car park, grid ref: SH727243

Trail map

Map of Dolmelynlly Estate walk in South Snowdonia, Wales
Map of Dolmelynlly Estate walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey (England & Wales)

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Get in touch

Dolmelynllyn car park, Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2TF

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

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