Betws-y-Coed & Swallow Falls - Saturday 15 September 2018
Route
Betws-y-Coed - Jubilee Path - Llyn Elsi - Rhiwddolion - Sarn Helen - Miners Bridge - Swallow Falls - Ty Hwll (Ugly House) - Swallow Falls - Miners Bridge - Betws-y-Coed
Parking
Plenty to choose from in Betws-y-Coed
Mileage
10 miles
Terrain
Good clear paths throughout
Weather
Overcast with sunny spells
Time Taken
5hrs 40mins
Total Ascent
1575ft (480m)
Map
OL17 - Snowdon & Conwy Valley
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
Betws-y-Coed - Jubilee Path - Llyn Elsi - Rhiwddolion - Sarn Helen - Miners Bridge - Swallow Falls - Ty Hwll (Ugly House) - Swallow Falls - Miners Bridge - Betws-y-Coed
Parking
Plenty to choose from in Betws-y-Coed
Mileage
10 miles
Terrain
Good clear paths throughout
Weather
Overcast with sunny spells
Time Taken
5hrs 40mins
Total Ascent
1575ft (480m)
Map
OL17 - Snowdon & Conwy Valley
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
GPX File
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Route Map
St Michael's Old Church, Betws-y-Coed
All aboard at Betws-y-Coed Railway Station. The station opened in 1868 and is a lovely old building housing many shops & cafes. The station is on the Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog line.
The route crosses the railway bridge to reach the main (and only) platform on the station
Fudge and I head along the station platform whilst Angie takes this shot from the bridge. To the right is the Conwy Valley Railway Museum complete with miniature railway and buffet coach.
Edith the Rhinoceros. This wire sculpture stands on Betws-y-Coed’s station platform and is being filled by discarded container tops of various colours, shapes and sizes, collected in aid of Rhinos around the world. The Rhino has been set up as a community art project by Jacha, a political conservation artist, originally from South Africa. The project has so far been a huge success.
The clock tower outside the entrance to Betws-y-Coed Station
I could go overboard on the innuendo here but I will not succumb to such childishness. The cast iron statue made by Dolgarrog based company Garden Art, has been a familiar attraction to tourists and locals alike and stands proudly erect outside the station entrance.
St Mary's Church in Betws-y-Coed
The route heads west along the A5 which runs through the middle of the village to reach a staircase at a wall gap.
Heading through Gwydyr Forest on the Jubilee Path towards Llyn Elsi
Fudge leads the way as we continue up the Jubilee Path
Betws-y-Coed sits below us as we continue upwards
Finally after what seemed like a long climb the path flattened out
Moel Siabod
Llyn Elsi and the monument that sits above it. The Llyn is a reservoir that provides water to the village of Betws-y-Coed. The monument was erected in 1914 and is inscribed as follows:
'Erected in commemoration of the opening of the Betws-y-Coed Water Works by the Rt. Hon The Earl of Lancaster by whose generosity the right was granted to the Betws-y-Coed U.D.C. for water supply from Elsi Lake June 18th 1914.'
'Erected in commemoration of the opening of the Betws-y-Coed Water Works by the Rt. Hon The Earl of Lancaster by whose generosity the right was granted to the Betws-y-Coed U.D.C. for water supply from Elsi Lake June 18th 1914.'
Bored with monuments and such like, Fudge took it upon himself to have a sit on the bench and wait
The Miners Bridge over the Afon Llugwy - we did not cross the bridge but stayed on the western side of the river.
From the Miners Bridge we headed along the path beside the Afon Llugwy towards Swallow Falls
Nearing Swallow Falls the Afon Llugwy cascades down various rocky sections
Fudge was in his element today as we allowed him in the water when it was safe to do so
What a poser
The Swallow Falls Hotel on the A5
We carried on past the entrance to the falls and planned to view it from the eastern side of the Afon Llugwy on our way back
These old signs are very few and far between and it is great to find them, particularly measuring distance in furlongs. Having never heard of Cernioge, research informs me it was a a locality 10 miles south east of Llanrwst. A famous inn once stood there on the road from London to Holyhead. It is now a farmhouse.
Ty Hyll - The Ugly House incorporating the independently run Pot Mel Tearoom. Legend has it that the house was built in the 15th Century and was home to The Snowdonia Society until 2010 who still retain ownership and care of this unique property.
In addition to the Tea Room, The Ugly House has a beautiful garden where the external aspects of the property can be viewed. It is no surprise how the property could have been given its name - I mean just look at that brickwork! Whilst it is certainly rustic in appearance, it is extremely pretty to look at in its idyllic woodland setting. Nobody knows for certain who built it or when, but it is certainly unique and well worth a visit.
The bridge over the A5 & Afon Llugwy near The Ugly House
..... and on no account enjoy yourselves either!!
Peeking through the foliage at Swallow Falls
Swallow Falls
A last swim for Fudge in a calm section of the Afon Llugwy as we near Betws-y-Coed
Silly not to I suppose - cheers!