It looks as if this Saturday's walk may be a little damp, but the prospect of ending the walk by the fireside in the Cwellyn Arms should banish any reservations about a January walk in the woods.
We meet opposite the Cwellyn Arms in Rhyd Ddu (time for coffee for those used to a morning break) to catch the 11.09 bus to Beddgelert. From there we follow the well know Moel Hebog path, the early part of which is now signed as Lon Gwyrfai, the newly created walkers/cyclists/horse riders trail to Rhyd Ddu. Leaving Moel Hebog for another day, we head north into Beddgelert Forest then follow forest roads and trails up to Llyn Llywelyn. Lunch at a small quarry on route, or at the picnic benches by the llyn.
From there we follow forestry tracks up to Cwm Ddu, one of the most impressive cwms in Snowdonia (well, I think so), with the the sharp outline of Mynydd Drws y Coed and Trum y Ddysgl just above us. Forest trails then lead us back down towards Pont Cae'r Gors, close to where we pick up Lon Gwyrfai again. Leaving the forest we walk on the best part of the new route, before following an old quarry causeway around the western shore of Llyn y Gader. The quarry men would hardly know it now, a lot of money has gone into making this a safe route for horse riders.
Another half mile brings us back to Rhyd Ddu. with the Cwellyn Arms or the Ty Mawr Tea Room (if open) providing some welcome refreshment. Hopefully, we will not be dripping water all over the floor!
Dave