Postman's Pass - Abergynolwyn - Wales

Yesterday afternoon here in Wales we had glorious autumnal sunshine, a perfect day for me to join a Tywyn based walking group for the first time.  The walk was a three and a half mile round trip that started from the centre of the nearby village of Abergynolwyn.  Abergynolwyn is located at the confluence of the Nant Gwernol and Afon Dysynni and it was following the course of the rivers that our walk along the 'Postman's Pass' took us.

Parking in the car park in the centre of the village, we then walked down to the river, passing the village pub, The Railway Inn, on our right, turning right off the main road before the bridge, passing cottages on your right, then taking the path on the left, as in my first photo.

Looking back to the cottages from path.

Having crossed the river follow the paving stones across the marshy field, at the top of the hill follow the track as it opens up into a bracken covered hillside. Following the track along the riverside, take great care as the banks down to the fast flowing river below are extremely steep, although the sure footed sheep seem to cope.

                     As you round a corner this next photo is of the picturesque view that greets you in all its glory.

A little further along the path you encounter a rocky outcrop with small iron rings embedded into the rock. Curious I stopped to take photos and was told by one of my walking companions that they were put there by local farmers to tether the cows whilst they were milked and fed.

                               One of the rocks has even been chiselled out to make a feeding trough for the cattle.

I could not resist taking some photos looking back towards Abergynolwyn through the eye of one of the iron rings. I do not suppose I am the first to do so, but I am pleased with the results. 

As the river begins to widen out there are some lovely wooded areas before the trail opens up to the next valley, eventually one come across a stone house with a wall that I just had to photograph.

A little beyond here cross over the stone bridge at Pont Ystumanner, turn right on to the narrow lane and walk to the crossroads. 

Pont Ystumanner above followed by two photos taken from the bridge.

                                                  It was here we came across some friendly shire horses.

At this crossroads we turned right and followed the signs for Abergynolwyn and Tal-y-llyn, heading towards the impressive farmhouse 'Caerberllan', as the footpath passes through the farmyard I took the opportunity to take a few photos of the house and its environs. love the steps that would have been used for mounting your horse!

Soon after leaving the farmyard and heading uphill again one encounters views of Castell y Bere a Welsh built castle constructed by Llywelyn the Great in the 1220s, intended to maintain his authority over the local people and to defend the south-west part of his princedom of Gwynedd. In 1282 war with Edward I of England the castle fell to English forces. Edward I expanded the castle further and established a small town beside it. In 1294 the Welsh leader Madoc ap Llywelyn mounted a major revolt and the castle was besieged and apparently burnt. Edward did not repair it and it became ruined, today it is a tourist attraction, worthy of a visit on another walk sometime I think. 

Having left the valley behind again the trail has now turned back towards Abergynolwyn and these views are now on the right hand side.

It is not long before the village once again comes into view in the distance, as one begins the descent. Finally crossing the river again, carry straight on along the road and you will find yourself back at the car park.

I hope my photos have enabled you to enjoy a virtual walk of the 'The Postman's Pass' 
NB: For larger view just click on individual photo.

For those planning a visit.
OS Grid Reference: SH 679070 ( approx start of walk - car park in centre of village)

The following website links may also be of interest. Also with thanks to these sources for information that helped me with compiling this post.

Tywyn Travel Guide  Tywyn  Abergynolwyn  Abergynolwyn Official Website  Castell y Bere


If you enjoyed this virtual walk you may also enjoy the blog post entitled The Cascade Trail

All photos are my own taken October 2013. 

  All rights reserved by LindyLouMac Photo Collection 

The full set of photos may also be viewed individually in my album entitled  

Postman's Pass - Abergynolwyn - Wales at  My Flickr account.