Thursday 26 August 2021 - Llyn Trawsfynydd

The car park in Trawsfynydd was full, so a lay-by on the main A470 road had to make do. [Roadside parking in the village is possible.]

Today's walk comprised a 13 km clockwise circuit of Llyn Trawsfynydd, plus a 6 km loop on a new route through the Celtic Rainforest to the south of Maentwrog. 

We soon passed the statue of Hedd Wyn, a WW1 poet. He won a prize for one of his poems, and was called forward in the 1917 Eisteddfod to receive his award. Sadly, the assembly was then informed that he had just been killed in Flanders, so the empty chair was hurriedly cloaked in black.

Then we visited the war memorial, from where there was a good view of our footbridge across the end of the lake.

After a pleasant chat with an aged deaf shepherd, we crossed the bridge.

A few km of tarmac took us to Moelfryn, and a plethora of helpful signs to propel us towards the Coed y Rhygen nature reserve.

The next picture was taken from our elevenses bench, placed in memory of a lady called Sue.

Lots of different flowers were seen today. Rosebay Willowherb was fairly dominant where there was no heather, but there were also large patches of Yarrow and Harebells. I think the flower pictured below may be Sneezewort. [No, the leaves are wrong. It's Yarrow I think,]

The cloud was down again, but at least it wasn't raining! The sun came out later.

From the reservoir's dam, the new trails enticed us into the rainforest.

The 6 km circuit was most enjoyable, though it would have been easier in a clockwise direction as the waymarks were mainly visible from that direction.

We emerged next to a levada, presumably part of the power station infrastructure. 

Here's another view from the dam, showing the newly laid path that leads to the rainforest and Maentwrog. 

Then it was simply a question of ambling along the lakeside paths and tracks, chatting at length with a couple of old codgers and then with a couple of mountain bikers en route, as well as pausing for lunch, and to admire the lakeside views.

We even found time to enjoy afternoon tea on a bench overlooking the lake. 

We were back at the car by about 3:30, after our walk of about 19 km with 350 metres ascent. Another excellent day out, before a successful visit to our local fish and chips and mushy peas shop.

Here's our route - a blue line, if you can make it out.