World Rally Championship star Elfyn Evans has launched a series of walking routes in his home village which offer spectacular views of the famous UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere in Mid Wales.
The walking paths are based in Dinas Mawddwy, an unspoilt, hidden area between Machynlleth and Dolgellau which is steeped in history.
The paths comprise eight, waymarked, circular walking routes, ranging from 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to 12 miles (19.3 km), covering a total distance of 46 miles (74 km). They have been developed by Cwmni Nod Glas Cyf, a social enterprise formed by an industrious group of volunteers.
This area has the second highest road in Wales, which takes travellers over the famous Bwlch y Groes pass between Dinas Mawddwy and Llanuwchllyn. It’s also where the infamous Red Bandits - y Gwylliaid Cochion - roamed in the 16th century.
Elfyn EvansThe Mawddwy area is a very special place for me, as someone who grew up here and the paths here have been important to me in my career and personal life. These circular routes are a great way to get to know the area and its people and an opportunity for me to also bring my own family to appreciate them. Thank you, Cwmni Nod Glas for putting the Dinas Mawddwy area on the map and I hope they will benefit the local economy.”
The walking routes take in spectacular mountains, deep valleys, waterfalls, footbridges, moor and grazing land where farmers have carved a living for generations and magnificent views.
Five of the routes start and finish in Dinas Mawddwy, while the others finish in Llanymawddwy, Mallwyd and Aberangell. All the walks follow public rights of way and are suitable for reasonably fit people.
Sites of interest along the routes include St Tydecho churches in Mallwyd and Llanymawddwy, Pont Minllyn Bridge, Melin Meirion Mill, Buckley Arms and Llew Coch / Red Lion, the medieval Ffynnon Cae Gwyn Well, Y Plas (mansion) bell, slate quarries in Dinas Mawddwy, former drovers’ accommodation at Foty Fach ruin, Afon Clywedog, Dolobran Mill and Cerist, to name but a few.
Visit Dinas Mawddwy walks and trails for more information about the walks.
Arfon Hughes, Cwmni Nod Glas Cyf’s secretaryMost of the tourism providers in the area realised that there was a lot of interest in walking and better understand where they could go without trespassing. These businesses wanted to find ways of attracting more visitors to the area and encouraging them to stay for longer. Since the pandemic, people have wanted to get outdoors a lot more and we feel that we are sitting on a little goldmine here with interesting valleys, views and history.”
