Where is it ? In the beautiful Lledr Valley, close to Dolwyddelan, near Betws y Coed, Snowdonia north Wales.
How long will it take ? 3.5 hours for full walk, Distance 7.25 miles / 11.4 km
What's the attraction ? Includes pastureland, riverside walk, medieval castle, 15th century church, fantastic views of Snowdonia, waterfalls, tumbling streams and pools, pub.
Rating : Easy to moderate. Walking boots are required however as there are a few boggy sections.

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Directions : [ Map of Pont y Pant to Dolwyddelan Castle Walk location ] 
If travelling by train on the Conwy Valley Railway (recommended) leave the train at Pont y Pant station, exit the station turn right and walk along the lane.
If travelling by car take the A470 from Betws-y-Coed to Dolwyddelan. Turn left at the Gwydir Pub and continue to the Dolwyddelan  Railway Station car park at Pentre Bont and join the walk after 2.3km / 1.5 mile).

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On exiting Pont-y-Pant Station turn right and follow the lane for .5km  (.3 mile) passing Dol mur Goch on your right. Carry on through the gate over the small hill and down the lane, bearing right through the tunnel and then left. The path continues alongside the Afon Lledr (affording delightful views of Moel Siabod) to Pentre Bont at Dolwyddelan station. Pass the station car park on the left, and the school on the right then turn left at the road junction. Cross over the bridge and bear right down the lane running alongside the railway line. After 100m the road bears left. Ignore the left turn and follow the track beside the railway until you reach a gate. Follow the path passing beside a house to reach a style over a fence. The path crosses open fields to reach another style, continue walking till you then cross over a small stone footbridge and follow the stepping stones through the woods (the ground can be boggy at times). The path rises gently and then descends through a gate and continues to the farm buildings at Bertheos. Dolwyddelan castle is visible to the right on this last section, and in the foreground you will see the remains of an earlier castle, a rocky outcrop thought to be the birthplace of Prince Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llewelyn the Great).

Pass through the farm yard at Bertheos bearing right taking the track toward the A470, The road crosses over the railway line and joins the the main A470 road,

But before heading off left along the A470 it is well worth crossing over the road and visiting the Afon Lledr at this point. There are some lovely waterfalls and pools where the river passes below the old bridge at Pont-y-Coblin.

Back to the walk and the route continues west along the A470 for a few hundred yards before turning right toward Roman Bridge railway station. Be prepared at this point for some breathtaking views of the cwm of Blaenau Dolwyddelan nestling in the shadow of Moel Siabod .

Continue past the railway station at Roman Bridge, following the road uphill then round a hairpin bend and, bearing right, the road takes you over the river and uphill again toward the farm buildings of Pen-y-Rhiw. At this point. you leave the road and turn right. Continue on the track through the farmyard and walk uphill. Follow the track through several gates till you see Dolwyddelan Castle ahead of you. Remain on the track till you find a footpath on your right. This leads down past farm buildings to the front entrance to the castle.

At this point you have the option to purchase an entry ticket to the castle from the farm house (recommended) or to return to Dolwyddelan.

(Should you choose to view the castle you will see fantastic views of Moel Siabod, the Lledr Valley, and the A470 snaking it's way up the Crimea Pass toward Blaenau Ffestiniog and the distant Moelwyns.)

On leaving the castle walk down to the A470 and turn left. Continue along the A470 till you come to the cross roads in the village. Turn right and walk down Bridge Street toward the station. Half way down the street on the right hand side you will find Dolwyddelan Church. The church of St Gwyddelan was built in the 15th century by Maredudd ap Iuean and is well worth visiting, if only (due to restricted opening) to view the fine slate tombs and gravestones. Find more information here >

Should you require refreshments on the walk now is a good time, as there is a Pub in the village, the Gwydir, that serves good ales and nice food. Or alternatively you can have a coffee al fresco at the Spar shop in the centre of the village.

Continue to walk down Bridge Street to either (a) pick up your car at the Dolwyddelan station car park, or (b) turn left at the school and walk back down the lane and alongside the river to Pont-y-Pant Station, or (c) as portrayed on the map above, take a short cut and catch the return train from Dolwyddelan Station.

Please -- click on the pictures -- for enlarged pictures of the Dolwyddelan Castle Walk.

Dolwyddelan Castle and rowan trees		Close up of Dolwyddelan Castle Keep

View from Dolwyddelan Castle toward the village		View from Dolwyddelan Castle Battlements toward the Crimea Pass and Blaenau Ffestiniog
Fields of bluebells in the Lledr valley in springtime		St Gwyddelan's Church in Dolwyddelan