Nant Y Coed walk

Yesterday was Sarah’s 50th birthday, and today was Sarah’s 50th birthday plus one day! It also signalled the end of our little break and was time to leave Caernarfon for home. On the way we stopped off at Llanfairfechan and for a walk beginning Nant Y Coed Local Nature reserve.

Llanfairfechan, although a coastal town, much of the town is a ribbon development following the valley created by the Afon Llanfairfechan. At the top of the town is Nant Y Pandy and Nant Y Coed Local Nature Reserve itself is on Newry Drive. We followed the Llanfairfechan Upland Walk.

Setting off the walk began by following the Afon Llanfairfechan.

You pass the pond created for a Mr Massey who originally owned the land until it was purchased by the urban district council.

Then we crossed a couple of streams as we followed them along the side of Dinas hill and its hill fort.

  

As the route left the woodland we continued to gain height as we climbed up through fields following slate way-markers and out on to the heath and moorland.

  

The views looking down the valley and out into the Menai Straits were stunning. In the distance was the Isle of Anglesey.

By now we were out in to the footlands of the Carnaddau mountains.

We then arced right and picked up the Roman road. This road used to connect the Conwy valley to Caernarfon.

When the route turned again off the Roman road and on to the North Wales Path we decided it was an appropriate point to stop for lunch and short break.

Following the North Wales Path we now started to descend back towards Llanfairfechan.

This gave us some great views out over the Aber Valley.

Then it was a steep decline back down to the town and to the start of Nant Y Coed Local Nature reserve again.

The route distance was variously described as between 4 1/2 -5 miles but somehow we had covered over 6 1/2 miles. It was a fantastic walk and although the route is challenging since it involves quite a bit of climbing the views and peacefulness make every moment worthwhile.

Stockport Family Church Housegroup Barbecue

After the walk we headed home. It proved a quick turnaround as we went to our house group BBQ. We all met up at the Waltzing Weasel in Birch Vale, the home of one of our group.

The evening began with a short stroll along the Sett Valley Trail to Hayfield.

  

Then the real purpose of the evening began – food and chat with good friends!

For Sarah and I it was a pleasant way to finish off a few days of rest.