Where is it? Above the Lledr Valley, between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Dolwyddelan, Snowdonia North Wales
Allow : 3 hours, Distance 6 miles / 9.5 km
Attractions : beautiful views ; tumbling streams, waterfall ; I would recommend this walk for late summer when the Rowan trees are at their red berried best, ....beautiful!
Rating : This is a moderate walk. Either level ground or down hill.
Car Parking : On street parking available in Dolwyddelan, or Dolwyddelan Railway Station Car Park. Alternatively why not catch the Conwy Valley Railway? Fantastic views of the Conwy and Lledr Valleys
Facilities : Toilets and restaurant / pub in Dolwyddelan village, Spar shop in Village, holiday cottages near by.

Directions:   [  Map of Crimea Pass to Roman Bridge walk location  ] From Betws-y-Coed take the A470 west toward Dolwyddelan. Turn left at the Gwydir Pub in Dolwyddelan. Continue on Church Street to the Railway Station car park. Alternatively, on street parking may be available in Church Street.

Lets Go:

The walk starts from the A470 road at the top of the Crimea Pass between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Dolwyddelan, and finishes at the bottom of the pass in Dolwyddelan village. This requires parking the car or alighting the train in Dolwyddelan and catching the number X1 bus in Dolwyddelan. The bus stops outside the Gwydir Pub in Dolwyddelan. Ask the driver to drop you off in the layby near the top of the Crimea pass.

(Before you start the walk there is a nice bunch of boulders that are worth visiting, if you like boulders that is, just a few hundred yards back down the A470)

To start the walk itself exit the layby, continue for a short way along the A470 to the stile on the right hand side of the road. Cross the stile to the pathway. It is a remarkably level track that leads round the lower slopes of Moel Dyrnogydd, but this is explained by the fact that it was originally the bed for a tramway that fed the disused quarry to be found further down the track. Moel Siabod stands proudly to the east, it's southern flank helping to form the beautiful Lledr Valley, while it's western flank guards the equally beautiful cwm of Blaenau Dolwyddelan.

The track heads toward Siabod before turning north around the headland bringing Mount Snowdon and the Glyders into view. Continue along the track and there appears to be a small stone castle turret ahead. This is not a castle however, it is the ventilation shaft for the railway tunnel that runs deep below the mountain. The tunnel enabled the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog to transport it's slate through the Lledr valley and on to the big wide world beyond.

Meanwhile our track bears to the right and leads off downhill passing , on the day I visited, a small herd of cattle. I must admit I acted as a bit of a wuzzer at this point. As is my wont I made mooing sounds while passing the animals and unfortunately this seemed to strike a chord with the bull, the master of his domain. Whether he thought I was a threat or he was feeling amorous, I don't know, but the bull with herd following started to head my way. I thought survival was the better part of valour and legged it down the bank. Having put a few hundred yards and a dry stone wall between me and the bull I relaxed and carried on with the walk.

This section is the best part of the walk with Rowan trees dotting the landscape and Moel Siabod as a glorious backdrop. A tumbling stream, waterfalls, a pool, a stone bridge and the ruins of an old church combine to make a beautiful location. And if the children accompany you on the walk it is the ideal place for a picnic and a paddle. (I believe the church was originally built by and for the navvies who constructed the rail tunnel through the mountain in the 19th century)

Continuing with the walk the track runs alongside the drystone wall passing a farmhouse before eventually becoming a country lane. Follow the lane as it twists and turns it's way down the valley, through the small community of Blaenau Dolwyddelan and seemingly ending up in a farmyard. But fear not. The sheep dogs are usually under control, which is more than can be said for some of the farmers ! But if you tip toe through the farmyard they won't hear you!

The lane is actually a right of way that passes between the farm buildings before turning right and dropping down to the valley floor. Follow the lane over the stone bridge before passing Roman Bridge Railway Station (Pont Rufeinig Sta.) and continue to the crossroads at the junction with the A470. Turn left at the crossroads and follow the A470 back to Dolwyddelan village, keeping your eyes open for the spectacular Pont-y-Coblyn waterfalls and the magnificent castle of Dolwyddelan on your left.

Should you have arrived by train it is possible to catch the return train at Roman Bridge station. The line is a request stop only so don't forget to stick your hand out to stop the train.