St.Mary's Church, Betws-y-coed.
Just a few of the hat trees have been cut down!
Llyn Elsi from near the southern dam.
Descending through the tress to the Pont Gethin viaduct.
In intersting yellow flow, still to be identified.
The Afon Lledr from the footbridge.
The Afon Lledr from the footbridge.
A Cuckoo calling north east of Sarn Helen.
Distance: 8.4 miles. Climb: 1309’.
Time: 6 hours 0 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.4 m.p.h.
Temperature: 17.7 Celsius at the start. 22.0 Celsius at lunch in the shade opposite Lledr Hall.
Beaufort Wind Force: Max - 2, briefly reaching a pleasant 4.3 m.p.h. gentle breeze as we reached the highest point on Sarn Helen.
Group: Martyn and Ed.
Another good day for walking, very warm and sunny and very little wind of note.
Once again, we decided to complete the walk in the reverse direction to the way that we have done this walk in the past.
The start from Betws-y-coed was a steady climb up the forest track as far as Llyn Elsi, encouraged by the changing smiley faces as we neared the Llyn Elsi circular walk. It was half way up this forest track that we heard our first Cuckoo calling, obviously some way off as we could only just hear it.
Much tree felling has gone on since the last time we did this walk, evidenced by the huge number of felled tree trunks stacked on the side of the forest track.
The steep descent through the forest from Llyn Elsi to the Pont Gethin viaduct felt worse than it felt doing it in the opposite direction. At least this time we managed to find a dry path round the edge of the usually very boggy section.
Heading along the riverside path through the camp site gave us a different view of Moel Siabod through the trees.
We arrived at our usual lunch spot around 12-30, but unfortunately ii was in full sunshine, and we were looking for shade. We eventually found a suitable spot next to the path opposite Lledr Hall, not perfect but at least we weren’t in the hot Sun.
After lunch we weren’t looking forward to the climb up the road to Sarn Helen, but it turned out much better than we expected as most of the climb was in shade thanks to the tress on the east side of the lane.
Crossing Sarn Helen gave us we heard an even better delightful sound of a Cuckoo calling, but alas not a sighting.
As we descended Sarn Helen towards the A5, we noticed that the track had been treated to lots more stones and the ruts seen last time had been filled in.
Talking to a couple people living in a cottage next to Sarn Helen, what they feared most was mountain bikers hurtling down the track.
Arriving at the Miners Bridge several young people were taking advantage of the deep pools to cool off and even jump into from the rocks nearby.
As you would expect, the nearer to Pont-y-Pair and Betws-y-coed the more people we saw, and it was very noticeable that ice cream vendors were doing very well!
Overall a very enjoyable walk, probably the best way round to do it!
Birds seen and heard today included: Mistle thrush, Willow warbler, Chicffchaff, Great tit, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Common chaffinch, European robin, Winter wren, Common blackbird, Goldfinch, Common whitethroat, Woodpigeon, Mallard, Canada goose, Herring gull, House sparrow, Common buzzard, Grey wagtail, Grey heron and Cuckoo.
Plenty of Bluebells still blooming along with many more Spring flowers including lesser stitchwort, Welsh poppy, Buttercups, Dandelion, Common bistort and Tormentil.
After walk drinks were enjoyed once we reached home!
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