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Walk the Wales Coast Path from Llwyngwril to Aberdyfi

By Dave Roberts   

on December 16, 2020   4.5/5 (2)

Posted in Wales Coast Path - Snowdonia Coast Path

Walk the Wales Coast Path from Llwyngwril to Aberdyfi

Further Details

Route Summary:

Another mixed bag on the Snowdonia ‘coast’ – which at least finishes with a section of proper coastal walking between the Dysynni and Aberdyfi

Start and Finish: Llwyngwril to Aberdyfi

Distance: 19 km

Ascent: 295 m

Time: 5 hours

Timings are approximate and depend on the individual. Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Facilities:

All facilities in Towyn, plenty of hostelries in Aberdyfi.

Public Transport:

The railway is recommended along the entire section from Pwllheli to Machynlleth.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Hazards:

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Keeping Safe on the Wales Coast Path,  Navigation and the Gear and Equipment you’ll need.

Wales Coast Path Guidebooks:

Recommended Wales Coast Path Maps: 

Walk the Wales Coast Path from Llwyngwril to Aberdyfi Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

Download file for GPS

Walk the Wales Coast Path from Llwyngwril to Aberdyfi

This section of the Wales Coastal Path between Llwyngwril and Aberdyfi takes an initially hilly approach before closing the Afon Dysynni at a new footbridge on the way to Tywyn. Finally following the coast into Aberdyfi (Aberdovey). At this point, you can see the seaside resort of Borth across the Dyfi barely a kilometre away but two day’s walking on the coastal path!

Llwyngwril to Tywyn

From Llwnygwril, the Wales Coast Path again heads uphill and inland. Following country lanes in the main, the trail takes an inexplicable downhill route in order to plod through some farmland, because no section of the Wales Coast Path is complete without one muddy field and a bunch of cows to negotiate. It does take you a little closer to the sea, but all that height is then regained to join the same country lane a few k from where you left it (we’d be tempted to stick to it!)

The coast is a distant memory, as the track contours around the hill of Foel Llanfendigaid to the landward side before following a quiet road past the former army base at Tonfannau, which still has a railway station and serviced over 3000 passengers a year in 2017/18. That places it as the UK’s 2,437th busiest station out of 2,563 stations and not in the 100 quietest stations.

The quiet country lane used to be the main coast road, but the bailey bridge over the Dysynni was removed when the army camps closed and until a few years back, entailed a diversion inland on the coast path’s original route. Thankfully there’s a shiny new Dysynni Bridge that makes the walk in to Tywyn around half an hour’s walk rather than the 90 minutes it would have been from this point.

Southern side of Castell y Gaer The mound ahead is what remains of the fort.
Llwybr Arfordir Cymru Looking north along The Wales Coast Path, the path goes down the bridleway through the dyke gate and skirts around the whins in the centre of the view.
Llwybr Arfordir Cymru The Wales Coast Path heading south in a place where the map comes into its own, as the path is only just visible.
Coast road north of Tonfanau
The Dysynni footbridge A recent construction, built on the site of a road bridge which disappeared many years ago, it carries the Wales Coast Path over the Dysynni. Seen here brightened up by a low sun, on a bitterly cold day when most places were covered by a cold haze; the waves on the Dysynni are the result of the strong easterly wind blasting over the flats.
The beach at Bryn-y-mor A generally sandy beach with wooden groynes awaiting the summer visitors.
Beach at Tywyn

Tywyn to Aberdyfi

The final approach into Aberdyfi is similar in some respects to that of Barmouth further north, with even the name mirroring that of Abermaw. However, the coastal path manages to stay faithfully to the coast by following the shore into Aberdyfi.  It’s not all good news as the wide estuaries previously crossed had embankments (Glaslyn), bridges (Dwyryd) and viaducts (Mawddach) to cross – the Dyfi leaves us no choice but to divert, a full two days’ diversion! Occasionally, the remains of tree stumps and peat can be seen on the beach, usually when exposed by stormy weather.

Wales Coast Path Between Aberdyfi and Tywyn
The seafront at Aberdyfi
Aberdyfi seafront houses
Penhelig Arms, Aberdyfi
Britannia Inn, Aberdyfi
High tide and a crowded beach A cracking summer bank holiday weekend, and high tide, combine to make for a rather crowded beach.

 

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

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