Cwm Porth-Llwyd and falls 8th March 2014

The woodland path through Coed Dolgarrog.

Looking across the valley the Carneddau with patches of snow still evident.

Celia battling against the wind on the road to Llyn Eigiau.

Cwm Porth-Llwyd from the dam.

Panorama of the old railway line on the East side of Afon Porth-Llwyd.

Porth-Llwyd Falls.

Walks stats: Distance: 8.9 miles. Climb: 2000'.

Time: 5 hours 1 minute. On the move walking average: 1.8 m.p.h. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average:1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Celia.

We set off from Dolgarrog Memorial Park, expecting the power of the Sun to be increasingly noticeable as the day went on. It did, but we hadn't taken into account the wind that made sure that there was no chance of either of us over heating! In fact at times it was so strong that it was hard making any progress at all!

 We decided that we would have lunch, protected by the remains of the old dam wall, but a sudden gust decided to take a liking to my paclite jacket as it flew fifty feet into the air and was about to disappear over the dam wall never to be seen again or so I was thinking. Thankfully it dropped down on our side of the wall and I was able to race after it and retrieve it before it took off again.

 After the drudgery of the road before lunch we followed the delightful path along the former 2ft gauge railway line back to Coedty Reservoir.  At this point we encountered major construction works relating to renewing the water pipes from the reservoir, and after going through them to the road, we saw a notice advising us to use different footpaths if we could!

 The path down the Western side of the Afon Porth-Llwyd past the waterfalls was a delightful way to finish the walk, and the views of the falls were superb in places.

 The birds seen or heard today were few and far between, but included: Blue tit, Great tit, Raven, Common blackbird, Meadow pipit, Common buzzard, Stonechat, Dunnock, Chaffinch and a party of about 20 Siskins.

 after walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, where the Lees bitter was in good nick as usual.

 A good walk, but not to be repeated until at least 2016, when the work on the pipes should be finished.