Walk Abergwyngregyn to Rowen, a walk with history.

A nine-mile linear walk using the no.19 bus.

 

Getting to the start of the walk…

Park in or near Rowen Car Park LL32 8YA, no charge. Free public toilets open April to end of October.  Please park considerately.

Buses from Rowen to Abergwyngregyn via Conwy.  See travelinecymru for times.  Check times carefully.

Mon to Sat Llew Jones no. 19 bus at 08.06 from Rowen to Conwy railway station, opposite the Erskine Arms, arrives at 08.35             

Then Arriva bus no. X5 or no. 5 direction Bangor from Conwy railway station, to Abergywngregyn.
Departs at 08.47, arrives at 09.16.   Service every 20 to 30 minutes.
See Traveline for a later service, leaving Rowen at 12.02.

Sunday 12.06 from Rowen arrives in Conwy at 12.25.  No other service.
Then X5 or no.5, departs at 12.51, arrives at 13.20 Service approx every 30 minutes. 

Walk starts at Abergwyngregyn bus stop.
Warning… This is a serious mountain walk. We were blown off our feet on section 6 in November 2017.  Turn back if in doubt.

  1. Walk up the path to the left of Aber Falls Hotel, passing old Pump House, with an interesting exhibition and free toilet. Go through a small metal gate. Cross road and glance up behind the houses to see y Mwd, an earthen mound 7.7m high with one large oak tree. It was possibly the base of an early Norman castle. Turn left at tee-junction and up the main street with Hen Felin Community Cafe on your left.  Recommended.

  2. Continue up main street to car park for Aber Falls. Ignore signs for Aber Falls.

  3. Bear left over Bont Newydd bridge.

  4. Long uphill walk to mountain car park, 1.7 miles from start of the walk.

  5. Bear right through a metal gate, signposted North Wales Path (which runs from Porth Penrhyn near Bangor to Prestatyn, 60 miles) then bear left.

  6. Continue along a good track. This track can be exposed to very strong winds.

  7. Walk steadily uphill, following the electricity pylons, until you reach a prominent wooden signpost, 3.1 miles from the start. This is near the highest point of the walk, and is the start of the old military track up Drum (a walk for another day). The signpost shows directions to Llanfairfechan, Rowen, Drum and Aber. 

  8. Continue to a new traditionally-made metal gate. This is a good spot for a picnic lunch. You are now in Bwlch y Ddeufaen (Pass of the two stones), The stones are directly ahead. Tal y Fan 2001ft is on your left, and Drum is on your right. (The direct route up Drum starts here, going alongside the wall).

  9. Walk past the two stones and onwards over a stile to the small car park.

  10. Cross cattle grid onto a tarmac road.

  11. Continue along the road for 450 metres and look out for a small stone stile on your right, easily missed. View an attractive small stone circle just inside the wall.

  12. Continue along the tarmac road to a tee junction at Cae Coch, passing a stile on your left, the start of the path up Tal y Fan.

  13. Leave the tarmac road at Cae Coch and continue straight ahead, along a rough muddy track. This is known as the Roman Road, but is probably much older. Ancient field boundaries can still be seen. Pass through several gates. Look out for standing stones on both sides of the road.  Stop at Maen y Bardd neolithic burial chamber, next to the track.  Admire the fabulous dry stone walling opposite the burial chamber.
  14. Go through one more gate and continue downhill to Rowen Youth Hostel, at Rhiw Farm.  Great views from the YH gate up the Conwy Valley.
  15. Walk carefully down a very steep hill to Isallt, a house on the right, and continue downhill and into Rowen village.

Recommended reading: Frances Lynch,  A guide to Ancient and Historic Wales, Gwynedd, CADW 2001.  Try abebooks.co.uk for a secondhand copy.

Peter McFadden, updated June 2022.

Email peterhoney914@gmail.com

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