Wednesday, 18 January 2006

Coastwalk

Barmouth → Tywyn

[Barmouth Bridge]

Distance: 12.9 miles
Ascent: 193 metres
Duration: 4 hours 10 minutes

The bridge
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I've enjoyed using the train this week to take me to the beginning of each walk. The line between Machynlleth and Porthmadog is spectacular, sandwiched between the road and the sea, clinging to the side of the cliffs.

[Looking north-east from Barmouth Bridge]

Half-way along the railway crosses the mouth of the Mawddach estuary on a half-mile long bridge. A footpath runs the length of the bridge and formed first part of this walk. There's a sixty pence toll for pedestrians but the views up the valley and across to Cadair Idris are simply stunning, even with today's overcast weather.

The middle section of the walk was far less interesting - nine miles of road walking. It would have been further still had I not looked carefully from the train on the way up for short-cuts.

If you're going to repeat this walk be sure to study the railway bridge across the Afon Dysynni just north of Tywyn. I gather there's some local pressure to construct a footbridge where an old bascule bridge took a minor road across the river. Until that time the choice is a five mile detour inland or a cheeky dash across alongside the track. A six foot high welded steel fence on the south side attempts to deter this but with a little gymnastics it's possible to drop down between the girders to the shingle below. Just don't ever expect me to climb up that way.

Posted by pab at 19:02 | Comments will be back later in the year. Please email me instead!