Wizards, princes and an army of trees.
Todays little wandering adventure takes us to a most spectacular woodland walk in the Western portion of Wales.
Nestled near to the little hamlet of Maentwrog lies a large and ancient woodland, bespeckled with autumnal colors of browns, reds and oranges of the season our target for today is Coed Felenrhyd
Mrs beard had been searching through the internet and came across this little gem shortly before we headed off on a few days away in Gell, hovering just above the town of Criccieth.
The weather was a little odd the night before with heavy downs pour on and off over a number of hours, but thankfully as the dawn began to emerge the weather had improved massively to a warm autumn glow.
Being only 20minutes from us by car, it was a simple affair to arrive at our destination, having looked previously, there was no designated car park as such and a small laybye on the A496, for reference I used the post code for the Magnox power station LL41 4HY, from here it was a short walk over the bridge and on to the footpath.
Once you step through the gate, you feel instantly transported into another world, ferns almost drip from the ledges and trees, whilst moss seems to sprout abundantly from every available surface, we follow the river for short distance and stop to take in the hydro-electric plant and the shear force of water gushing through the outlets, when we first arrived at our parking spot the Afon Dwyryd had flooded from the torrential downpours during the evening and the water now flowing from the power plant seemed to help add to the flooding.
Once at the first intersection of paths, we eyed the welcome information bored and opted to take in the red loop which followed the now still and serene Afon Prysor, plus given my families fluctuating enthusiasm for anything more than a flat path this was the best option today.
We wandered slowly along the path, stopping to take pictures and take in the lush autumn forna, we came across our first amazing view, known through OS mapping as the Ivy bridge, as its name would suggest was draped in long strands of Ivy, overgrown with centuries of moss and grass, once my fellow walkers had caught up and viewed the fairy tail bridge the audible appreciation was notable.
We took turns standing upon it and gathering many pictures, maybe wasting a little to much time admiring this most intriguing structure, later searching would enlighten me to its history. It is a grade 2 listed structure, a bridge which once provided a crossing the original pack horse route between Harlec and Maentwrog and built somewhere before the 18thC, this most amazing bridge now provides a excellent photo opportunity, unfortunately, my own pictures did not quite do it justice.
We headed on, but were met with a taped off gateway and a sign stating the path ahead was closed due to recent storm damage and many trees covered the path, having been across a few of these in my time, I have both been blocked and found the paths passable, but with family and dog in tow, I reasoned that the path may not be quite that safe and headed back to the information board to take the yellow loop path.
The ascent was steep and seemed to go on for more than a mile or more upwards, the steep route a cause for the more than occasional pause along the winding and ancient pathway, about halfway along the path we came to a much needed bench, which at this time of year, had an obscured view across the valley and onto the hillside of Coed Llyn y Garnedd, once breath were caught, we continued on our mammoth hill ascent until we finally reached a forestry track and hidden around the bend lay 2 cottages which seemed at odds with the remote surroundings, I have yet to find out if these are private accommodation, but what an amazing place to have some much needed time away.
We looped back around the fire track, a more gentler and welcomed route downwards to our car, the promise of a lunch seemed to spur the family onwards, the views kept arriving as we twisted and turned along the track and marveled at the geology and crumbling rock edges along the way.
The footpath downward soon arrived and we wandered along an uneven path, through numerous horse chestnut trees, their fruit covering the ground below in a spiky green carpet, now before the thoughts of warm fires and the hearty smell of roasting chestnuts fills your mind, these are but the humble British native, small in stature and not much of an snack.
We were soon at our entry point to the woodlands and I’m sure the family were more than happy after a slightly hilly wander today.
Overall the route took us some 2 miles, but for a mile of that it was a strenuous climb upwards, the paths are uneven and slippy at times over the exposed wet slate.
Parking can be tricky, with one layby near to the power station, but from here there are many walks around the woodland.
I would love to spend an entire day here, wandering and taking pictures, so perhaps in the near future, this can be a plan.
There are may tales associated with this magical place, it is mentioned in the writings of the Mabinogion, the earliest stories written, here in this very woodland a great battle arose between Pryderi and Gwyndion.
Gwyndion is said to be a magician god in the stories and by trickery and theft, started a war between two houses. In the aftermath of a great battle, Pryderi offered to fight Gwydion one on one, to help spare his people from anymore blood shed, but Gwyndion who had caused so much trouble for his own family and by his magic ability managed to kill Pryderi, who is thought to reside on a nearby hill.
Another tale tells how Gwyndion having lost a race, fashioned an army of monsters and trees to battle his foe, the sight of an army of trees and shrubs brings to mind the famous scene in Lord of the Rings where an army of trees attacks the evil magician.
Go visit, go see this amazing and rare woodland.
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/coed-felenrhyd-llennyrch/
