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The Mawddach Trail Walk and Cycle Track

By Dave Roberts   

on April 11, 2018    4.5/5 (2)

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Low Level and Easier Walks in Snowdonia, Snowdonia National Park, Wales

The Mawddach Trail Walk and Cycle Track

Route Essentials

Route Summary

Scenic and flat multi use path from Dolgellau to Bermo (Barmouth)

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

14.37 km

Ascent

166 m

Time

3 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Dolgellau to Arthog (or the other way)

Difficulty

Moderate Walk, Mountain Biking

Hazards

n/a

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

The Mawddach Trail Walk and Cycle Track Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

The Mawddach Trail Walk and Cycle Track

The Mawddach Trail in South Snowdonia joins the towns of Dolgellau and Abermaw (Barmouth). along the beautiful shores of the Mawddach Estuary. It has the advantage of being totally flat, following the track of the old railway line that used to connect Barmouth to Ruabon many years back. You can join the Mawddach Trail at a number of locations, with car parks at the start in Dolgellau at Y Marian, and then along the trail at Pont y Wernddu, Penmaenpool, Arthog and Morfa Mawddach.

The Mawddach Trail is also the perfect family cycle trail. It provides flat and easy cycling for it’s entire length as well as wide open views in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. You can cycle the entire route, or just a section depending on your group and mood that day.

As an added bonus, you can stop at the Mawddach Trail’s very own pub – the George III Hotel at Penmaenpool for refreshments or wait until you reach Abermaw (Barmouth) for some Fish and Chips. There are also plenty of facilities in Dolgellau, with the trail starting or ending near the centre of the compact town.

Rembember that the distance is around 15km in one direction – so you’ll need to organise transport back or walk it in both directions!

The Mawddach Trail Route Description

There’s very little instructions needed to follow the Mawddach Trail. It starts from the Marian car park in Dolgellau. You can find this if driving into the town from the A470 over the Bont Fawr bridge and along Smithfield Street, the car park is on your right. The Mawddach Trail is clearly signposted, and is easy to follow all the way to Barmouth. Stopping at the George the III at Penmaenpool is essential, and the toll bridge worth seeing (you don’t need to cross it). The walk continues in much the same vein to Morfa Mawddach before you cross the railway viaduct to Barmouth. There is no longer a toll collection here.

Click the following link to download a PDF Map of the Mawddach Trail.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

Scenic and flat multi use path from Dolgellau to Bermo (Barmouth)

Route Start Location: Dolgellau to Arthog (or the other way)

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
14.37 km 166 m 3 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Moderate Walk, Mountain Biking

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

There’s the George III Hotel at Penmaenpool at around the half way – and plenty of facilities either end in Dolgellau and Abermaw (Barmouth) if needed.

Hazards

n/a

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking :

Available either end, or various points on the route.

Public Transport:

The 28 and 38 buses travel between Dolgellau and Barmouth

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

 

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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