PRECIPICE WALK
Popular and easy circular walk
An historic and iconic 5km trail, the Precipice Walk sounds intimidating but is nothing of the kind. The path is certainly narrow for most of the route but there is only one relatively short section that bears any resemblance to a precipice. However, the views are dramatic and this is a great walk if you don’t fancy tackling a strenuous mountain track but would like to enjoy sweeping views. The walk has its own car park with toilets and there are several great places to visit close by. The Precipice Walk could come in handy if you are looking for something to do before or after visiting Coed y Brenin, Dolgellau or Barmouth.
This route dates back to Victorian times and takes you through the Nannau estate. It is an easy undertaking and yet enables you to reach a height of 800 ft above the Mawddach Estuary. Along the way, there are wonderful views over the estuary to Barmouth and across Snowdonia. Better still, you will benefit from the added bonus of stroll around the very pretty Llyn Cynwch at the end.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Terrain: grassy, rocky and gravel paths with no steep climbs
Starting Out
The Precipice Walk begins from a car park that is reasonably generous in size but that nonetheless can fill up quickly, especially during the summer months. The walk is clearly signposted at the top of the car park and initially takes you along a well-made path through trees and past a farm. You will eventually emerge into a more open grassy area with Llyn Cynwch in front of you. It’s easy to miss the right turn you need to take here as there is no sign or waymark. As the lakes comes into view look to your right and up the bank. You need to walk up and behind the stone wall. The path follows the wall for a while before bearing left and becoming narrower. You are working your way around Foel Cynwch, relatively close to the summit but you don’t get a sense of the height you are at until you reach the other side of the peak. In the early stages of the walk you will have great views across Coed y Brenin to your right and down the valley through which the A470 runs.
Views over the estuary
Follow the narrow path around the mountain and you will eventually find yourself standing high above the valley and enjoying amazing views over the Mawddach estuary towards Barmouth. You will probably marvel at how you have managed to find yourself so high above the valley floor without having to climb. That’s the beauty of the Precipice Walk – the start point is several hundred feet above sea level but you have no sense of this until you walk around Foel Cymwch. Keep following the path around the mountain and you will eventually descend slightly and arrive at the serene Llyn Cynwch.
Llyn Cynwch
You will end your walk with a pleasant stroll along the shore of Llyn Cynwch. This pretty lake is a working reservoir that is nestled beneath Foel Cynwch. There’s a peaceful and serene feel here that is worth enjoying before you reach the end of the lake and then retrace your steps back to the car park. You probably won’t feel like you have covered 5km and if you need more action, there are several amazing trails at nearby Coed y Brenin Forest Park. Indeed, when you were admiring the vistas across Snowdonia near the beginning of the Precipice Walk, you were looking at Penrhos Mountain which is inside the park (see image below).
Directions
From the Woollen Mill, drive back to the A470 and head south. After passing Porthmadog, you will arrive at a roundabout where you turn left towards Penrhyndeudraeth. Continue on the A470 past Trawsfynydd and then the entrance to Coed y Brenin. Pass through the village of Ganllwyd and then turn left towards the Tyn y Groes Car Park. Drive past the car park and bear right onto a country lane. Follow signs for Llanfachreth and then Dolgellau and you will arrive at the Precipice Walk Car Park after roughly 3 miles.
