Around Llyn Padarn and More 4th October 2008

The view towards Dolbadarn Castle.

Setting off on the lakeside path - is this the sensible thing to do?

The view from Dolbadarn Castle.

Walk stats:

Martyn only.

Distance:6.4 miles;Climb:1833'.

Time:3 hours 20 minutes; Walking average:2.9 m.p.h. Overall walk average:1.9 m.p.h.

Richard, Roger, Dave J and Sylvia.

Distance: 11.6 miles, Climb:30001.

Time:5 hours 40 minutes; Walking average:2.9 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:1.9 m.p.h.

This was a day when more sensible people would have stayed at home, but not to be deterred by the forecast of inclement weather the five of us set off on this low level walk. We started in light drizzle that hardly eased all morning. The first challenge of the day was to find access to the lakeside path and find a route to Dolbadarn Castle, the railway line blocked the way described in the route description. However we did eventually get there and climb the narrow circular stairs to what must have been the second level. Alas views today weren't that good with mist/clouds almost being down to a few hundred feet. The route from the National Slate Museum involved climbing whats seemed like an endless number of slate steps alongside impressive quarry workings. Once above the quarry it was time to descend back to the lakeside, but this time the route was a more gentle path through the woods with the final stretch on the a minor road back to the old road bridge.

It was at this point that I decided that I had had enough rain for one day and decided to return to the car while the rest of the group completed the Powdwr Oil Walk.

The return jouney along the old road and an old railway track between lagoons was quite delightful, even in the rain!

Having seen them arriving back like drowned rats I'm sure I made the right decision!

Birds seen or heard today included:Cormorant, Herring gull, Black-headed gull, Mallard, Coot, Jackdaw and Song thrush.

We arrived at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn for our usual after walk celebrations to find that we had missed meeting up with Sue and Graeme Anderson who had hoped to join us for a drink.

This walk will be put on the list again, but on a day when the delights of the low level moorland paths on the Powdwr Oil walk can be fully appeciated.