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Seaward slopes above Aber Falls
Mar 31 2008 By John Tanner
Where is it?
The seaward slopes of the Carneddau mountains between Bangor and Llanfairfechan.
What’s the attraction?
Easy, short walk with fine coastal views and an unusual angle on a well-known waterfall.
How do you get there?
Start from the village of Aber, which is on the Llandudno-Bangor bus route of the 5, 5X and the two No 9 buses (A and B). By car, exit the A55 at Abergwyngregyn. With the Aber Falls Hotel on your right, drive just past the village bus stop where there’s free parking (map ref 655 727).
How long will it take?
Allow 1½ hours. It’s no more than two miles.
Difficulty rating?
Easy. One steady climb to the half-way point but otherwise downhill or on the flat.
Let’s go...
In terms of effort employed, this walk isn’t much more than a leg-stretcher; but its possible to extend it, as I explain below, and that produces a respectable 3- hour hike
Walk back the way you came from the car park, past the entry to the narrow lane that is Aber’s main street, and then follow the road as it bears left past a church.
From here on, it’s a wriggling lane that can take you all the way to Llanllechid, above Bangor. But about 200 yards past the church, look out for a footpath sign on the left, pointing up a driveway towards a white house
Go up the driveway and bear right, opposite the house, through a gate, and onto a broad track. Follow this as it heads uphill, twisting occasionally but generally following a diagonally left orientation to emerge above woods on a shoulder of hillside
From here you can look down upon the village and across the bay towards Anglesey and the coast near Bangor
There’s a choice of paths. Your final route will be downhill to Aber, but first turn right and stay on this path to get a fine, high-level view of Aber Falls/Rhaeadr fawr. Ignore turn-offs and follow the track along the upper slopes of the Afon Rhaeadr fawr valley until you see the white tangles of foam where the waterfall spills into the valley
Close-up views of the falls a great, of course, but the advantage of seeing it from a distance, and from a high angle, is that the full height of the falls is revealed. The moorlands of the Carneddau mountains, from which the falls tumble, has had enough of a soaking recently to swell the flow to impressive levels
You can extend the walk by carrying on along this track, part of the North Wales Coastal Path, to the foot of the falls and then following a clear track along the valley floor that brings you to a lane. Go left along the lane to get back to Aber
Otherwise, retrace your steps to the junction of paths and go past the one you came up on to follow a track that heads steeply downhill to the village.
Go left down the village high street to get back to your car or bus stop.
Aber falls and the North Wales Path
Dec 16 2006 By Daily Post
Where is it?
In the Snowdonia National Park at Abergwyngregyn between Llanfairfechan and Bangor.
What's the attraction?
The wonderful Aber Falls and an impressive section of the North Wales Path. This provides extensive views along the North Wales coast
How do I get there?
By car, just off the A55 and park at the car park just past the Aber Falls Hotel (grid Ref SH655 727). Frequent bus services between Llandudno and Bangor, which stop at the Aber Falls Hotel.
How long will it take?
About five miles so allow three hours or longer if you wish to explore the Falls area.
Let's go...
Take the footpath alongside the Aber Falls Hotel – this is between the bus stop and the car park – to the road. Walk along the road through the village. The road becomes a lane, which makes its way up this pleasant valley. When the road bends left over the bridge go through the gate directly ahead and into the ancient woods. You have now joined the North Wales Path
The path soon crosses a footbridge to the other side of the river. Continue along this path to an information board. This gives details on charcoal burning and the alder coppicing – the charcoal can be bought at the information centre
Shortly after this board the path divides. The lower route passes Nant Information Centre and goes directly to the bottom of the falls. A more difficult route is to go to the left to follow the path that eventually goes to the top of the falls
If you take this latter route, when you come out of the woods turn right downhill to go to the bottom falls. This section of the path has loose rocks. It is, however, well worth the effort to get a close up of the wonderful hanging valley that forms the waterfall
From the waterfall you have two alternatives: simply retrace your steps or continue along the North Wales Path. The bigger waterfall is called Rhaeadr Fawr (large waterfall), and a little further along you come to the smaller Rhaeadr Bach. Continue past this fall and over another stream before the path crosses over the boundary wall on to the open hillside
The path gradually climbs from this point but is broad and well defined. Pauses for breath are rewarded by wonderful views in all directions
After going underneath the three pylon lines the path goes around the edge of a plantation. Extensive views now begin to open up. From this section you should be able to see Angelsey, Puffin Island and along the coast towards the Great Orme and beyond
At a distinct bend to the left you go through a gate (or over the stile) at which you are overlooking the village of Abergwyngregin. Leave the North Wales Path at this point by going right downhill towards the woods
As you enter the woods take the footpath going off to the right. This goes directly but steeply to the village. Alternatively, continue along the track for a less steep descent to the farm and then turn right for the village. Turn left back to the start
Refreshments at the Caffi yr Hen Felin (01248 689 454) in the village
Coastal path from to Tal-y-Bont to Aber
Nov 4 2006 By Daily Post
Where is it? Tal-y-Bont is a village to the south east of Bangor, with Penrhyn Castle as its grand neighbour. Aber, or Abergwyngregyn to give it its full name, is the next settlement of any size eastwards along the coastal strip.
What's the attraction?
Marine views, country lanes, hill paths.
How do you get there?
Leave the A55 at Aber; the exit road curves round and you'll see a bus stop on your left and the Aber Falls Hotel on your right. Free parking just beyond the bus stop (map ref 656 728). Catch the bus to Tal-y-Bont and walk back over the hills to your car.
How long does it take?
About four hours – it’s roughly nine miles.
Difficulty rating?
Easy, except for the fact it's a relatively long hike. Lanes and clear paths, just one longish uphill haul
Let's go ...
Once the bus leaves the A55 for the Tal-y-Bont road, get off at the first available stop. Walk back the way the bus came, over a bridge across the A55, then carry straight on up a steep, narrow lane that climbs through attractive woodland with a small stream burbling away to your right
Beyond the trees, the bare heights of the Carneddau emerge dramatically and the lane divides. Go left, and check out the hedgerow on your left for slate fencing, characteristic of many North Wales upland areas where slate off-cuts wired together were an easier option than dry-stone walling
A short way past the junction, you'll see a footpath sign on your right. Follow it across pastureland. You're now on part of the North Wales Path. It contours the final, north-facing slopes of the Carneddau with great sea views and a bird's-eye angle on the coastal strip
As you get closer to Aber, the path passes through the cross-shaped forest plantation that is such a striking landmark from the A55 below, or from the coastal rail line
Shortly afterwards, the path divides. To the right, you bear round on a track that gradually descends towards Aber Falls. (A walk to the falls will be featured here shortly.) Instead, go left, downhill, on a path which drops quite steeply through mountain pasture to Aber
The village's larger neighbours further east, Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr, have had the ill-luck to be disfigured by the A55's concrete corridor driving straight through them. But Aber, shrinking back into its narrow valley, has been by-passed and remains a charming, tranquil retreat
When the footpath reaches the lane that serves as Aber's high street, go left
The last time I was here, the Aber Falls Hotel bar wasn't open until 4.30pm, so check ahead if you're thinking of stopping there for refreshment. Down the road, Llanfairfechan offers plenty of alternatives
A word of warning: although any of four buses will take you from Aber to Tal-y-Bont, only the 9A and 5 come to the village bus stop you've parked next to. The 9 and 5X stop at an A55 layby above, which you can reach via a short footpath. There's a timetable at the village stop that spellsit all out for you Stunning views of the Great Orme can be enjoyed on this week’s walk
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