Today we parked by the Penmaenpool Toll Bridge, a wooden construction built in 1879 to replace a ferry.
We then set off along the Mawddach Trail, a disused railway track for walkers and cyclists.
We followed the trail for over 7km as far as Arthog, where there's another car park.
Rosebay Willowherb was abundant beside the path.
Cyclists were abundant on the path, but not when the next picture was taken. Cows were paddling in the boggy ground just above the water level in the estuary. It must have been high tide. Jellyfish swam alongside us as we continued along the path.
Navigation became a little more taxing once we'd left the comfort of the old railway line, but Sue was pleased to glimpse a Kingfisher as we walked along an embankment beside a Afon Arthog.
Elevenses were taken in the porch of St Catherine's Church, then we embarked on a delightful, if rather steep, path beside the fast flowing Afon Arthog, with lots of small waterfalls.
By the time we had reached the top, a rain shower had reached us and Sue was fully waterproofed for a picture on a stone slab bridge over the stream.
By the time we reached our lunch spot in the shadow of Pared-y-Cefn hir, the rain had ceased.
From this perch we had wonderful panoramic views. Today, those towards Barmouth and the Lleyn Peninsula were better than the views towards the rocky ramparts of the North face of Cadair Idris, possibly because the latter were engulfed in cloud.
The paths were well signposted today, and Alex's route description was wholly accurate (as usual). We seemed to be on several signed routes, including the Cambrian Way that I thought about walking last year, but I was thwarted by Covid, and in particular by not being allowed into Wales.
After walking down to a road we encountered quite a few folk. It seems the area is favoured by Outwood Bound, and a school bus from Solihull was on duty to complement the supervised teenagers who were seen near Llynnau Cregennen, beside which there was a large car park.
Meanwhile, we enjoyed views to the summit of Pared-y-Cefn hir, languishing high above a hillside, the higher slopes of which are dominated by a carpet of bell heather.
It would be convenient to use the car park and ascend the hill from here.
After a fine path beside the lake and beyond, some steep descending through woodland got us past a deserted Youth Hostel to the main A493 road. We felt sorry for any hostelling cyclists who would have to negotiate the steep ascent after a long day.
Across the main road, we headed through an avenue of giant redwood trees, towards Abergwynant Farm.
Soon after that, Abergwynant Woods were entered. This is an area where timber (oak etc) was taken for shipbuilding and other uses. Then conifers were planted. Efforts are now being made to get rid of the conifers and return the area to its natural state thus benefiting wildlife and plants.
A short 'dog-leg' took us to a viewpoint over the estuary, the tide having now gone out some way.
Then it was down to the old railway line for a bike dodging (they were all very polite) stroll back to the car.
Here's our route - about 20km with 350 metres ascent, taking about 5.5 hours.
That's it from Porthmadog for now. I'll leave you with two views from our deck. In one of them, note the convoy of Canada Geese. At about 5:30 every afternoon a group of 60 geese paddle serenely, in single file, through the harbour and into the estuary, where yesterday a Peregrine falcon sat for hours on a rock.
This next picture was taken around sunset.
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