Precipice Walk, Dolgellau

Snowdonia Classic Campers

Tour Snowdonia Mountains and Coast

CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE IN A CLASSIC CAMPERVAN Precipice Walk, Dolgellau

Precipice Walk is in my top 10 of favourite walks, it’s a relatively short circular walk of just 3 miles but has stunning views all the way that include the Mawddach Estuary and the mountain ranges of Snowdonia. To the north Snowdon and the Moelwynion, to the west the Rhinog, immediately south is the long scarp of Cader Idris, while to the east lies the Aran and Arenig. The walk does not follow a public footpath but a private walk over a particularly beautiful part of the Nannau Estate, which dates back to the twelfth century. Nannau has been home to two of the most powerful and influential families in the county for hundreds of years, the Nanneys and then the Vaughans. Since being sold by the family in 1975 the estate was split, and the house privately owned and has not been lived in for over twenty years. The walk is ideal for the whole family as it roughly follows the level of the 800ft contour line, so there is not much climbing involved. The precipice along the western side, is by no means as terrifying as it sounds but walkers who suffer from vertigo may need some assistance along this section.

Distance: Approx. 3 miles Time: Approx. 2 hours Difficulty: Easy Postcode for Sat Nav: LL40 2NG (approx. nearest farm) Grid Ref: SH 746 212 Ordnance Survey Map: OS Explorer OL 18 Harlech, Porthmadog & Y Bala

Start Point

The Snowdonia National Park Car Park, Saith Groesffordd. How to get there: From the centre of Dolgellau, go over the big bridge and turn right towards Bala. After about 500m turn left across the road to the Library up a hill towards Llanfachreth. After about 2 miles, at the top of the hill, you will arrive at Saith Groesffordd car park on your left at the junction. There are toilets here and ample parking.

Directions

1. At the far end of the car park, opposite the entrance from the road, there is a path which turns RIGHT through the wood, Coed Cefndiwiog. 2. After 250m the woodland path joins a track. Turn LEFT and follow the waymarkers past Gwern-offeiriaid farmhouse on your right, through a couple of gates to the start of the circular walk. 3. At the start of the circular walk, bear RIGHT up the hill and following the stone wall. Continue along the path following the waymarkers. 4. Follow the path left at the signpost directed towards the old copper mine of Glasdir and the Natural Resources Wales Tree Garden. 5. Continue along the path through a gate in the stone wall, following the path through another gate and down to the lake, Llyn Cynwch. 6. When you reach the lake turn LEFT and follow the path around the northern edge of the lake. 7. At the end of the lake, you will re-join the path you started on. Retrace the path back to the car park. On the opposite side of Llyn Cynwch is the ancient mansion of Nannau estate, on whose land this walk crosses.

Please note. These directions are for guidance only, we can accept no responsibility for any loss, damage or injury resulting from the use of this information. Always take a map with you and be prepared for the weather to turn. Do not venture out in bad weather and always take care with coastal tides.

Parking