Bwlch Drws Ardudwy Moderate Leisure Walk Distance: 4 miles - 7km (circular walk) Time: Around 2 hours Grade: Moderate Leisure Walk Terrain: Mountain heathland & some rough, wet terrain. Start/Finish: Coed Graigddu car park Parking: Free designated parking area Post Code: LL45 2PL Relevant Map: OS Explorer O18 (Harlech, Porthmadog and Bala) The longer of two walks in the area, this circular route (a moderate graded walk) will lead you towards Bwlch Drws Ardudwy, which is the gap between Rhinog Fawr and Rhinog Fach. This walk gives you the opportunity to experience the rugged Rhinogydd National Nature Reserve, before leading you back to the Graigddu woodland. Many say that the Rhinogydd is one of the last true wilderness in Wales, and once you’re there it’s easy to see why. A word of warning Since this is a National Nature Reserve which is famous for its wildlife and wilderness, there are no markers on the path, and the path can get very wet. You will need to carry a map and wear strong, waterproof shoes if you’re going to follow Bwlch Drws Ardudwy this route. How to get there Traveling south down the A470 turn right, 1/2 mile (1 km) after the Bronaber turning. Traveling north up the A470 turn left, 2 mile (3 km) after the sign post on the right to the Coed y Brenin center. Follow the narrow road for just over 2 miles (3.5km) through two gates and park your vehicle in the designated parking area. Remember to keep the gates shut at all times. © Crown copyright 2017 OS 100022403 Bwlch Drws Ardudwy - page 1 of 4 www.snowdonia.gov.wales Snowdonia National Park Authority, National Park Office, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd LL48 6LF Telephone: 01766 770274 © Crown copyright 2016 OS 100022403 Note: This map is intended as a rough guide only. You should use the most recent version of the relevant Ordnance Survey map (OL 23) when walking this route. Bwlch Drws Ardudwy - page 2 of 4 www.snowdonia.gov.wales Snowdonia National Park Authority, National Park Office, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd LL48 6LF Telephone: 01766 770274 Start your journey by bearing right, At around 200m, bear left at the first Mind the animals as you walk past Graigddu following the sign out of the car park along a junction on the gravel road. Isaf on your right. Keep left of the farmhouse gravel road. and cross the bridge straight ahead. Soon you will see a signpost to your right After a further 200m, follow the path to After a short distance, continue straight ahead for Bwlch Tyddiad, carry on following the the right, passing round the gated entrance. passing the turning on your right. Bwlch Drws Ardudwy path. Continue along the track for around 1km. At the next junction take the track to After 200m turn right following the sign the left, following the sign for Bwlch Drws for Bwlch Drws Ardudwy. Ardudwy. Continue up the path for around 350m. Pass through the gate in to the Rhinogydd After around 600m, turn sharp right 50m or National Nature Reserve (NNR). The terrain so before a stone wall. gets more rugged and at times can be wet under foot. Bwlch Drws Ardudwy - page 3 of 4 www.snowdonia.gov.wales Snowdonia National Park Authority, National Park Office, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd LL48 6LF Telephone: 01766 770274 Continue up towards a saddle in the ridge. At the top of the hill, follow the path down Follow the path along the edge of the and after around 750m climb over the fence plantation until you reach a stile, cross over using the steps provided. the style and follow the path to your left. Continue following the path through the Soon you will approach a junction. take After 500m you will pass a small water fall plantation for 500m until you come to a the right turn and follow the path down on your left (Pistyll Gwyn). After a further junction. Turn left following a wider track. following a river. 500m you will reach a T-junction, turn left and follow the path back to the car park re- tracing your steps. Please Remember The path passes through privately owned farm land. Dogs must be kept under close control, preferably on a lead when in the vicinity of livestock, and kept on a short lead at all times between 1st March and 31st July to protect ground nesting birds. Bwlch Drws Ardudwy - page 4 of 4 www.snowdonia.gov.wales Snowdonia National Park Authority, National Park Office, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd LL48 6LF Telephone: 01766 770274.