LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Den parked in the long stay car park just off the huge sandy beach of Barmouth. After a walk round the town for sandwiches, we consumed them on the promenade in the sunshine. From the promenade we walked to the harbour, then continued to the estuary railway and footbridge. Care was required on the windy and hilly road before the bridge, then watch our footing on the wooden 'sleepers' on the bridge. The toll booth was not manned so all the many pedestrians and cyclists crossed for free. At the Morfa Mawddach station we followed the road to the right to the main road A493. We turned right again along the busy road without a footpath to Fairbourne junction and Friog village. Just after houses we turned left uphill on a lane signed 'No Parking'. We continued uphill alongside a stream to a path on the right through a kissing gate. Again there was another steep ascent to another junction where the path turned right and the slate debris path forked right under a bridge. On a steep climb to the old quarry we took care on the rocks as they were slippery and uneven, and followed the main track of quarry workings to the left and a tunnel by old pieces of machinery. There were fantastic views across the estuary to Barmouth and beyond. All hills and mountains on the Llyn Peninsula were easily visible. Through the low wet tunnel to the blue lake with its very high vertical walls and very deep lake with straight edges to its square shape. After discussions with the few people in and around the lake we started downhill for our return to Barmouth. As we were leaving we noticed the fish swimming in the clear water of the lake. Again extra care was taken on the steep, smooth wet rocks to the lake. At the junction on the A493 we turned right, then almost immediately turned left to Fairbourne to miss the main road traffic. We visited the church briefly on the bend near the junction, then proceeded past the BR level crossing of the miniature railway station to the sea wall. We continued along the sea wall to the golf course, where we turned right on the sea defence embankment. Ken phoned to say the footpath was closed but it was too late, we were committed. We inspected the gate and found that the notice on the open gate did say 'footpath closed', but no alternative route was available but to walk on the non works side of the embankment, the seaward side. Great care was required climbing down from the top of the embankment to the seaward side as it was very steep. Also care was required alongside the embankment as the ground could be very boggy from the spring high tides. We climbed up the embankment again to scale the very muddy part of the estuary, then stayed high to the end of the embankment by Morfa Mawddach railway station. We had to scale the fence due to the footpath restrictions. We crossed the line with care to the footpath and cycleway, crossing the estuary alongside the railway bridge. We returned to Barmouth harbour where we met Ken and Den before returning to the car in the long stay car park by Barmouth beach. Another great exhilarating walk with the boyz. Good to get some meaningful exercise and companionship. Magic.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk
Barmouth car park just of Sandy Beach.

Hazards: None.