Ffestiniog Railway

Looking to organise a trip for a mixture of people at the end of August.

Open to suggestions into what to do - where to stop off, where to go and so on.

 

The Ffestiniog Railway passes through such splendid scenery that it is not just for railway enthusiasts! Several stations offer good walking - how far do people want to walk. I've found Tan-y-Grisiau to be a useful starting point; perhaps a walk over the mountains or a look at the power station there (maybe they do tours?). Tan-y-bwlch is good for woodland walks and has a station cafe, and the Oakley Arms pub isn't far away, as well as being a place where trains frequently cross over.

 

The power station no longer does tours sadly. But Tan-y-Grisiau is a good place to get off if you're going for a walk or fancy a picnic watching trains climb the bank out of the station.

There are plenty of walks up and down the line but if your feeling fit the walk up from Tan-y-Grisiau to Cwmorthin quarry is definitely worth it and if you are feeling extra fit you can keep going up to Rhosydd quarry for spectacular views of the Croesor valley. Perhaps if that isn't enough you can continue on down the valley and catch the train back from Pont Croesor.

If you're after something a bit gentler then you can head back to Tan-y-bwlch and even on to Penrhyn. The route is relatively easy and follows the railway most of the way. I'd recommend turning left out the station and heading round the other side of the lake across the dam, the views are more spectacular from this side. It meets up with the path that follows the old line at the other end of the lake.

In Bleanau there is Bounce Below and Zip World which are good fun although perhaps a little pricey. The quarry tours there have also been recently revamped too. The Model bakery just up the high street (turn right) from the station is excellent. If you have kids with you there is a place called "It's a small world" just across from the station. It has a Scalextric track, indoor crazy golf, remote control boats, G scale model railway, pretend potholing and lots more. It's cheap and great for killing half an hour while you wait for the train to head back especially if it's raining.

If the weather is nice there are plenty of beaches. Black rock sands just outside Porthmadog is very popular but personally i think the ones down the coast towards Harlech are nicer and less busy.

Llanberis is worth a visit. Personally i'd give the Mountain railway a miss unless you have your heart set on it. But the quarry, slate museum, lake railway and so on are all excellent. The power station tour is pretty good too. There is a climbers cafe in the town called Petes Eats which is very popular. Also heading there from Porthmadog you will pass through Beddgelert. It's a pretty enough place with an excellent ice cream shop on the main road and of course the WHR. The road from there is spectacular and worth the journey to Llanberis just for that.

Tim