Walk 3762 - printer friendly version

Happy Valley & Llyn Barfog from Aberdyfi Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 8.0 miles / 13 km

Ascent - 1720 feet / 521 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference SN613959
Lat 52.543235 + Long -4.0467099
Postcode LL35 0EB (approx. location only)

Scenic walk from Aberdyfi (Aberdovey) that climbs the range of hills adjacent to the coast before descending into tranquil Cwm Maethlon (Happy Valley). The route continues east to reach the Llyn Barfog (Bearded Lake) before starting the return to the coast. The walk then joins the Wales Coast Path which follows the Panorama Walk back to the start. The views during the walk include the Dyfi Estuary and south to the Ceredigion coast.

The walk starts from the main car park behind Aberdyfi Beach (grid ref. SN613959). After parking exit the parking area and turn right with the sea on your right and turn first left up Copperhill Street. Pass beneath the railway and turn left at the footpath notice on a lamppost. After 60 metres, turn right and head uphill to join a track which soon becomes a tarmac road. Continue up to a T-junction and take the footpath opposite through a kissing gate and turn right. The path climbs steadily and soon heads through a gate, passes a house (Mynydd Bychan) on the left.to reach a tarmac lane (grid ref. SN614968). Bear left, pass through a metal gate and continue climbing past Willow Hill Reservoir to a T-junction. Turn right and continue to a lane (grid ref. SN615971).

Turn left and take the rising lane with a yellow salt hopper on the right. Continue ahead passing to the left of the entrance to a caravan site and follow bridleway between hedges into an open field. Follow the track ahead with a hedge on your left into the next field where the path runs along the right-hand field edge. Entering the next field, continue ahead to a fence corner and descend half-right to a small gate. The onward path runs parallel to a small stream on your left and leads into a clear track heading northeast soon beside trees. Cross a footbridge over the Afon Dyffryn-gwyn and continue to a lane in Cwm Maethlon (grid ref. SN632984)).

Turn right and continue for 800 metres to reach the Llyn Barfog car park (grid ref. SN640986). Take the tarmac drive between hedges and below a house, bear left through a gate to follow a rising track. Join the signed path on the right, cross a stream and rejoin the track. Continue uphill, pass through a gate, fork right to a small gate and Llyn Barfog. After enjoying the view, retrace your steps for 100 metres and turn left on a grassy path heading south. Keep ahead and yellow post and continue to a clear track (grid ref. SN652983). Turn right to follow the Panorama Walk and Wales Coast Path.

The track is easy to follow and you soon get a superb view across the Dyfi Estuary on your left. The path undulates across the hillside before swinging north to descend to Bwlch Farm. Keep to the left of the farmhouse and head uphill on a clear track. Pass through a gate to join a tarmac lane. Enjoy the view on the right into Cwm Maethlon. After two kilometres the view switches to the left to the Dyfi Estuary. As the lane descends you reach a Wales Coast Path sign by some wheelie bins (grid ref. SN621974). Turn left downhill to a kissing gate on the right just before Erw-pistyll farm. The path descends to a gap in the left0-hand corner of the field. Pass through trees, cross a footbridge and follow a narrow woodland path above a valley passing through kissing gates with a view to the Dyfi Estuary. Descend steps to a track and cross to a path with railings that leads down to the A493 in Aberdyfi. Turn right to return to the start.

Messaging & Social Media

Message Walking Britain and follow the latest news.

Mountain Weather

Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices.