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Cwm Bychan

Date ... Saturday, 4 July 2009
Distance ... 6.0 miles
Ascent ... 1425 feet
Time ... 3 hours 0 mins
Weather ... 17 ºC, rain to start then cloudy with some sunny spells, and a fresh W breeze
Summits ... None
Start ... Beddgelert station - pay + display car park (SH587481) 
Maps ... Ordnance Survey - Outdoor Leisure Nº17 (1:25,000) or Landranger Nº115 (1:50,000)


slideshow View the photo's from this walk as a slideshow ...

It was chucking it down again on the Saturday morning so as we were camped right next to the station we decided to get the Welsh Highland Railway steam train to Beddgelert. This was the first time we'd been on the train, and it was a real treat, steam and smoke filling the air as we rattled along the narrow gauge track through the mountains. When we arrived at the village we walked down along the river and through the Aberglaslyn Pass to the village of Nantmoor. We then climbed up through Cwm Bychan, past the old copper mine workings and dropped down to the shores of Llyn Dinas. It was then a simple case of walking back along the river to the village, for a pint in the pub whilst we waited for the train to take us back to Waunfawr. The weather was pretty miserable for the first half of the walk, but the sun did come out towards the end, to brighten up the day.

The route map of our walk

The route map of our walk

Paul heading along the empty platform at Waunfawr station ready for the 10.35 am train

Paul heading along the empty platform at Waunfawr station ready for the 10.35 am train

By the time the train eventually arrived (10 minutes late) it was raining really heavy

By the time the train eventually arrived (10 minutes late) it was raining really heavy

Not much of view from the train window

Not much of view from the train window

Paul seemed to be enjoying the train ride, despite the lousy weather

Paul seemed to be enjoying the train ride, despite the lousy weather

Looking back along Llyn Cwellyn, Mynydd Mawr, the hill we were on yesterday, is in the cloud on the left

Looking back along Llyn Cwellyn, Mynydd Mawr, the hill we were on yesterday, is in the cloud on the left

Approaching Beddgelert station through the woods

Approaching Beddgelert station through the woods

After getting off the train we headed downstream along side the river, Moel Hebog is still in cloud behind

After getting off the train we headed downstream along side the river, Moel Hebog is still in cloud behind

Crossing the Welsh Highland Railway, this track and bridge were only re-laid about 2 years ago

Crossing the Welsh Highland Railway, this track and bridge were only re-laid about 2 years ago

The train returning from it's short trip through the Aberglaslyn Pass, trains won't run all the way to Portmadog until September 2009

The train returning from it's short trip through the Aberglaslyn Pass, trains won't run all the way to Portmadog until September 2009

Entering the narrowest part of the river gorge, the path is a little more tricky for a few hundred metres

Entering the narrowest part of the river gorge, the path is a little more tricky for a few hundred metres

Looking down the Aberglaslyn Pass

Looking down the Aberglaslyn Pass

Looking back at Moel-ddu, a satellite summit of Moel Hebog, as we climbed through Cwm Bychan

Looking back at Moel-ddu, a satellite summit of Moel Hebog, as we climbed through Cwm Bychan

Passing the remains of the ropeway that took the copper ore down to the valley from the mines

Passing the remains of the ropeway that took the copper ore down to the valley from the mines

Paul approaching the col at the top of the climb

Paul approaching the col at the top of the climb

Not much of a view from the top, but at least the rain had stopped!

Not much of a view from the top, but at least the rain had stopped!

We were cheered up when we found loads of Bleaberries ready, they were delicious!

We were cheered up when we found loads of Bleaberries ready, they were delicious!

As we reached the top of the steep descent down to Llyn Dinas the sun started to break through the clouds

As we reached the top of the steep descent down to Llyn Dinas the sun started to break through the clouds

Looking down onto Llyn Dinas

Looking down onto Llyn Dinas

Another view of Llyn Dinas from the bottom of the descent, you might just be able to make out a couple of people swimming???

Another view of Llyn Dinas from the bottom of the descent, you might just be able to make out a couple of people swimming???

As we started back towards Beddgelert, Moel Hebog dominates the view along the valley

As we started back towards Beddgelert, Moel Hebog dominates the view along the valley

The first signs of some blue sky started to appear, may be the weather was going to improve?

The first signs of some blue sky started to appear, may be the weather was going to improve?

The Sygun copper mining museum

The Sygun copper mining museum

Back at Beddgelert village

Back at Beddgelert village

The village church, the stream on the distant hill side gives some idea of how much it had rained!

The village church, the stream on the distant hill side gives some idea of how much it had rained!

Back at Beddgelert station to catch the train

Back at Beddgelert station to catch the train

The train arriving at the station, only 20 mins late!

The train arriving at the station, only 20 mins late!

Looking up at the cloudy slopes of Snowdon as we left Rhyd-Ddu station

Looking up at the cloudy slopes of Snowdon as we left Rhyd-Ddu station

Well the weather was much better on the return journey, we can make out Mynydd Mawr this time

Well the weather was much better on the return journey, we can make out Mynydd Mawr this time

Arriving back at Waunfawr in some early evening warm sun, off the the pub now for supper!

Arriving back at Waunfawr in some early evening warm sun, off the the pub now for supper!