| There is parking at Bont Newydd bridge which is
closest to the valley. However there is better parking
in Abergwyngregyn where you'll also find refreshments
and friendly locals. In the recent past Abergwyngregyn
has found itself lacking the economic benefits of being
in an area of such outstanding beauty and popularity,
mainly due to people avoiding the village and heading
straight for the Bont Newydd car park, so if you can
try and help Abergwyngregyn by using its great facilities
so they can be there for many years to come.
Bont Newydd Bridge
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Forest Plantaion Path
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From Abergwyngregyn follow the road towards Bont Newydd
that passes some lovely thatched cottages and gardens
and then follows the rolling waters of the Afon Rhaedr
Fawr. You will eventually reach the Bont Newydd bridge,
a magnificently built bridge that crosses the Afon Rhaedr
Fawr. Bont Newydd translates in Welsh as New Bridge.
From the bridge there are two paths, one on the other
side of the bridge which is more of a clear track and
one on on the near side that's slightly more adventurous.
Both paths eventually meet up and continue onwards into
the valley as a very clear and well laid path. After
about half a mile you will come to a fork in the path,
one way sign posted to the Forest Plantation Walk, take
this path up towards the plantation. The path then skirts
the edge of the plantation before eventually heading
straight through the tall pine trees, which on a sunny
day can be simply magical with long rays of light shining
through the thick forest onto its floor shining brightly
with pine needles.
Forestry Plantation
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Stile at end of forest
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The original Abergwyngregyn forest was huge and stretched
across almost the entire valley. The forest was an amazing
place with many rare and foreign species, however its
biggest downfall was its ease of access which meant
it was eventually cleared after years of industrial
logging which provided work for the local area and an
economical boom for Abergwyngregyn. The valleys rare
species still exist but only due to the efforts of the
Coedydd Aber Nature Reserve and other authorities who
have now preserved the valley. The full story of the
industrial past of Abergwyngregyn and the Afon Rhaedr
Fawr valley can be read about in the Nature Reserves
Visitor Centre on the return journey towards the end
of the walk.
When the path finally comes to the end of the forest
plantation you will cross a stile and will then be presented
with a panoramic view across the head of the valley
with both the falls of Rhaedr Fawr and Rhaeadr-bach
in view. Rhaedr Fawr being the Welsh name for Aber Falls.
This is a great view point with the screes of Marian
Rhaeadr-fawr to the left of you, the valley to the right
and the sudden bulk of the Carneddau mountain range
from where the waters fall ahead
Panorama from the stile of the head
of the valley
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The Aber Valley is said to be very valuable geologically
with exposure of Ordovician and Cambrian rocks. A huge
dyke of hard wearing Granophyre at the end of the valley
is the cause of the beautiful waterfalls, the waters
that run off the Carneddau mountains has never been
able to erode through the tough rock. Take the path
down towards the falls now from the plantation which
crosses a few stiles then joins the more popular path
we left earlier. The path to the falls is rough now
as it leads to the powerful noises you can hear from
almost half a mile away.
Standing at the path underneath the falls is a must
do experience, the power of the 115 foot tall waterfall
is so powerful it will blow you away, and almost literally
as the spray and gust of air that come from the fall
soak and blow you away. Once you have taken in the waterfalls
follow the path over the wooden footbridge away from
the falls as it leads up away from them but instead
of following it simply turn left and you'll find another
great vantage point from where you can see the waterfall
in full again. Now follow the path back down and over
the footbridge again and back to the original path.
Aber Falls
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Afon Rhaeadr-fawr
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Follow the popular valley floor track now back to Bont
Newydd, its impossible to go wrong here as the path
is basically a track. Although this is the busier of
the paths you won't be disappointed, the path winds
through meadows that are surrounded by many ancient
woodlands. You will see tree species here that you will
find it hard to find anywhere else in the country, the
reserve has many species such as Oak, Alder, Ash, Sycamore,
Poplar, Willow, Beech, Birch and Hazel among others.
These woodlands are a haven for all kinds of wildlife
that can be seen at any time of the day. Squirrels,
Bats, Badgers, Foxes and many other animals can be seen
in the valley and it is even rumored that the Pine Martin
can be seen, although how true this is I'm not too sure.
One of the most common sites in the valley however are
its many bird species which thrive in the area, with
many common species populating the area there are also
wood warbler, pied flycatcher , redstart, owls and dippers
on the waters.
Oak Tree at Wern Goch
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Visitor Centre Track
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The path will lead all the way back down past the visitors
centre at Nant which is well worth a visit to read up
on the valleys diverse past. Follow the track and then
the road back down to Bont Newydd then Abergwyngregyn.
The valley is a hidden gem of wildlife and geological
importance. I also recommend reading the Collins Ramblers
Guide to North Wales for more information on the history
of the valley, which dates back even longer than you
may think.
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