North Wales mine walks? · AditNow Community

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Vanoord
54.4% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

14 years ago

Can anyone suggest walks in North Wales which include a bit of mining-related stuff along the way, possibly with the occasional small adit to poke a head into?

Here's three for a start:

Croesor & the Moelwyns

From Croesor vilage, up the valley and past Croesor and Rhosydd, then round the back of the Moelwyns and back down past Fron Boeth and Pant Mawr.

Cwm Bychan

The aerial tramway of Cwm Bychan from Beddgelert, with a walk up the Aberglaslyn gorge in the opposite direction. Passes various copper mines.

Cwm Pennant and Prince of Wales Quarry

A surprisingly large and spectacular quarry, albeit that it never produced much.

In the same area, Gorseddau Quarry should provide a decent walk.

Any suggestions? I may have a couple of days off this week and walking has been suggested, but I'd like to amble past the occasional remains of the mining industry 😉

Hello again darkness, my old friend...

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ICLOK
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

Penmaenmawr worth a full day out on the top middle and bottom levels... Stunning coast views as well.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!

dave1964
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

I would recommend cwm bychan it'a great walk through the valley and ther are about 10 adits to look in just in one section. :thumbsup:

JohnnearCfon
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

I used to enjoy a circular walk from Blaenau. Park somewhere near centre of Blaenau (slightly nearer Manod end). Walk up Graig ddu inclines. Cross country from top of Graig Ddu so you come down to Manod Quarry. Follow Rhiwbach Tramway stopping off at whichever quarries (mines) take your fancy. Then back down to Blaenau via the open access land to the footpath near Rb number 2 incline head all the way down to Blaenau.

But I expect you have done that many times!

dave1964
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

Another good walk is up the watkins path (snowdon),ther are loads of copper mines to see with a little detour (braich yr oen, haford y porth,haford y Llan,Lliwedd,and surface workings to amble round all day,but you need good weather !. 🙂

RJV
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

Moel-y-Gest just west of Porthmadog for something different? Granite though not slate!
Has a very striking incline from the road which going by the archive photos has or at least had a drumhouse at the top of it.
Also has a few small slate workings close at hand.

viewer
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

cwmorthin, rhosydd and return above llyn stylwan circular

gwydir forest..lots of different options

up cnicht and round to rhosydd/croesor and down the track back to the carpark

slate quarries (forget the name) on way up moel siabod

'Learning the ropes'

sinker
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

"dave1964" wrote:
I would recommend cwm bychan it'a great walk through the valley and ther are about 10 adits to look in just in one section. :thumbsup:

Always wanted to do this one myself but never "exactly" sure where it starts and finishes? Is there a "circular" route or is it up and back down? If anyone knows the best way to tackle this one I'd appreciate the info! :flowers: If anyone else fancies it let me know! :thumbup:

Yma O Hyd....

Moorebooks
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

How about Minera

Mike

davel
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#10

"sinker" wrote:

"dave1964" wrote:
... cwm bychan ...

Always wanted to do this one myself but never "exactly" sure where it starts and finishes? Is there a "circular" route or is it up and back down? If anyone knows the best way to tackle this one I'd appreciate the info!

There is a very nice circular walk with lots of mines (and some railway).

Park at the free carpark in Bethgelert (on the Rhyd Ddu road). Cross the main road and the footbridge over the river to the carpark by the station. Cross the railway footbridge and turn left to go behind the Goat Hotel. Follow the footpath roughly parallel to the railway, through the cemetry and continue until Bryn Fellin mine is reached. (Big open stopes, a shaft and remains of various buildings.)

From the mine go down to the main road and cross it. Go under the railway, over the footbridge over the river and then turn right across the railway to follow the path alongside the railway. (The fisherman's path.)

Keep going alongside the railway until you come to the road and follow the path parallel to the road to Nantmor car park.

Turn left into car park, cross under railway and on your right are the crusher foundation, buddles and slime pit of the Cwm Bychan mine.

Head up Cwm Bwchan. Arial ropeway at the top and various adits and trials as you go up.

After the bwlch there are various ways (on the south side of the river) past Sygun mine back to Beddgelert (and ice cream).

Call me if you want more info.

Dave

BertyBasset
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#11

Loggerheads, Maeshafn, Eryrys ? There are 2 walks in this book which are of some mining interest.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Clwydian-Range-Carl-Rogers/dp/1902512146

sinker
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#12

http://www.taithardudwy.co.uk/

24 easy miles with some drover's roads, quarries, a spring-water well with magical healing properties (Ffynnon Enddwyn) and a collection of (I think...) Manganese mines (Moelfre, adits accessible but wellie depth).

I did it in easily in two days with Mrs Sinker and the two little Sinkers with an overnight camp just for fun and plenty of time to mooch around. Quite well way-marked but miles from anywhere! :thumbup:

Yma O Hyd....

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration

14 years ago

#13

"davel" wrote:
There is a very nice circular walk with lots of mines (and some railway).

Park at the free carpark in Bethgelert...

Good walk this.

Other ideas, Snowdon via the miner's track from Pen y Pass.

Don't forget Dinorwic quarries :)

Or flounder up rom Betws Garmon to Moel Elio tracing the route of the aerial ropeway. Let me know if you find any remains because I haven't found the motivation to do all of this yet ;-)

Or Rhyd Ddu up past Bwlch Cwmllan, then either up Yr Aran, or bear off left up Snowdon (with option of coming down Watkin path and yet more holes in the ground), or with a car at either end, Y Lliwedd.

Variation on Croesor & Moelwyns (albeit taking Croesor out of the equation) is Cnicht and the Moelwyns which drops you down right at the Rhosydd 9 from Cnicht.

Or in the same area the entire circular walk of the Moelwyns but deviating for the upper tramway of Pant Mawr / Fron Boeth and all the various upper trials and adits.

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

sinker
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#14

"davel" wrote:

"sinker" wrote:

"dave1964" wrote:
... cwm bychan ...

Park at the free carpark in Bethgelert.....

Call me if you want more info.

Dave

Thanks Dave, we're going to go this weekend I think :thumbup: . Sorry, by the way, that I never got the chance to take you to see the new shaft etc at Eithin Fynydd. I got moved on from there soon after and have been in Padeswood ever since! Ho hum!

Phil.
Yma O Hyd....

Penrhynman
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#15

"davel" wrote:
There is a very nice circular walk with lots of mines (and some railway).

Park at the free carpark in Bethgelert (on the Rhyd Ddu road).

I can't locate the car park. How far from Beddgelert is it? I could cope with an OS grid reference...

Vanoord
54.4% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

14 years ago

#16

"Penrhynman" wrote:

"davel" wrote:
There is a very nice circular walk with lots of mines (and some railway).

Park at the free carpark in Bethgelert (on the Rhyd Ddu road).

I can't locate the car park. How far from Beddgelert is it? I could cope with an OS grid reference...

This might be handy for me, too.... unless it's the one near Warws, in which case I know where it is!

My current thinking is to park at Beddgelert / Pont Croesor, take the WHR to Pont Croesor / Beddgelert and then walk back to Beddgelert / Pont Croesor via Gorseddau :confused:

Hello again darkness, my old friend...

BertyBasset
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#17

There's some levels (manganesey I think) above Prenteg according to the OS.

davel
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

14 years ago

#18

"Penrhynman" wrote:

"davel" wrote:
... free carpark in Bethgelert (on the Rhyd Ddu road).

I can't locate the car park.

SH 5885 4826 (but don't tell everyone about it! 😉 )

(It was free when I last used it.)

Dave

4737carlin
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#19

Just a little bump with regards to of these locations, if you want to see the aerial tramway of Cwm Bychan but dont want to do the whole round walk, are you best heading towards them from the North or the South IE from that small car park on the A4085 and up the valley?

Also Gorseddau Quarry, are you best parking in that small car park by the reservoir that the fishermen use and walking around past the old house on the corner and along the remains of the tramway from there?

sinker
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

13 years ago

#20

"4737carlin" wrote:
.........Gorseddau Quarry, are you best parking in that small car park by the reservoir.....

Yes that's the easiest way. Just follow the tramway. Don't forget to go and visit the abandoned village on the way (up to the left off the tramway, an overgrown lane goes back on itself to get to it). Spot it on Google Earth before you go and it will be easy to find.

If you fancy a REALLY good walk then you can park by the Fire Station in Porthmadog, pick up the tramway from there (it runs between the Fire Station and the National Grid compound) and follow it all the way up!

Stay at the quarry until sunset and get some photos at dusk. The light is impressive :thumbsup:

Yma O Hyd....