Oh what a perfect day ! To paraphrase the song: I want to share it with you. Oh what a perfect walk!

I was looking for a walk that was suitable for myself and my wife Eira Wyn and two friends, Jim and Irene, a couple close to seventy year old who very rarely walk long distances. It was a mid September day at the end of a terribly wet summer (2009) in North Wales. The forecast for the day was OK, but nothing spectacular, but the omens were good as I looked to the west and could see the blue skies. The walk could not be too difficult or too long and I decided on a lakeside walk in Llanberis. We sped through the Conwy Tunnel and as we emerged into the sunlight it looked even more promising. By the time we reached Llanberis it was a positively perfect day, the lake was flat calm and the sky was blue.


We parked the car at the lakeside in what used to be called the "Free Car Park" alas no longer the case. But you do get great views of Llyn Padarn and they haven't started charging for views yet! Exit the car park heading north west along the A4086. After a short way the road forks, take the right hand fork leading to the track bed of an abandoned railway. Follow the track bed as far as the railway tunnel. Here there are two options. Either walk through the tunnel and then double back after crossing over the road, or skip the tunnel and take the steps at the right hand side of the tunnel entrance to the upper level. Both achieve the same result and you then pass through some double wooden gates and continue along the lakeside trail. From here it is just a short walk to the head of the lake. Pause awhile to admire the four stone arches of Padarn Bridge before crossing over the River Rhythallt. This is another great viewpoint with Snowdon and the pass of Llanberis forming a beautiful backdrop to Lake Padarn.

From here the road climbs to the village of Fachwen. The village consists of forty or so ex-miners homes that were abandoned before eventually becoming desirable holiday homes with views to die for. Climb the hill to Fachwen in mid september and enjoy an array of colours with gorse, heather and rowan berries complementing the autumnal scene.

On leaving Fachwen keep your eyes open for the telephone kiosk (blue not red). Take the path opposite the phone box and descend the steps to the road below. The trail continues along the lane passing isolated cottages, open countryside and deciduous woodlands, and all the while offering tempting views of Llyn Padarn through gaps in the trees. The lane changes character to a rough track and descends to a low point at a river crossing. There is a delightful waterfall close to the track. Soon after crossing the stream the track forks, take the left fork that ascends via some rough stone steps. The pathway continues to climb through the deciduous woods reaching a high point on exiting the trees. If, like me, you like to climb to the highest point before taking a break then this is the perfect spot to enjoy your sandwiches while taking in a glorious view of the lake, the village of Llanberis, and of course Snowdon itself.

Then its all down hill from here, a bit like life, we no sooner reach a high point than its all down hill to the mortuary! Yes after another trek through the woods we get to the mortuary, the mortuary in the grounds of the old Llanberis Quarry Hospital and the first building we come across.

But things brighten up soon after as we leave the woodlands and there are more fine views from the gardens of the old hospital. You would have to go a long way to see a better view than that of Padarn Park and Dolbadarn Castle sitting against a backdrop of Mount Snowdon and the Llanberis Pass.

Leave the hospital grounds via the wooden steps down to another lakeside car park. This area offers a choice of grabbing a lift on the railway engine alongside the lake, a boat trip around the lake or a visit to the Welsh National Slate Museum. We chose the latter as it is both free to enter (2009), and also offers a cafeteria for a refreshing cuppa tea. On exiting the museum area via the old workshops, you have a choice for the short walk back to the car park. Take the road that leaves the south eastern point of the museum/recreation area (parallel with railway line) and then either: cross the bridge towards the fields and continue across the fields to the A4086; or, stay on road and continue to the road junction with A4086 and bear right.

This is the more scenic route as it offers more views of Dolbadarn Castle and a magnificent lakeside view of Lake Peris and the Llanberis Pass. Both ways meet up on the A4086 from where it is just a short walk (half a mile) to where you parked the car.

Yes it was the perfect walk on a perfect day and what made it even better was that as we arrived home we were informed by Ophelia that it had been cloudy all day back at home!


Buy the Ordnance Survey Map:
Outdoor Leisure OL17 (1:25,000) or the Landranger Sheet 115 (1:50,000)