Betws-y-Coed to Llyn Elsi
Betws-y-Coed to Llyn Elsi, Wednesday, July 17, 2024
The sun was shining as we went on our latest trip from Betws-y-Coed to Lyn Elsi.
We had changed the location of the proposed walk from Capel Curig to Bwthyn Ogwen because the weather had been so wet recently and that route could have been too muddy.
We felt that this walk to Llyn Elsi would be much better.
The Dilwyn’s bus started from the North Wales Society of the Blind office in Bangor before picking up more walkers in Bethesda and at Betws-y-Coed railway station where there were toilets at the start and end of the journey.
Llyn Elsi is in the Gwydyr Forest above Betws-y-Coed.
We started the journey not far from Rhaeadr Ewynnol.
We went along fairly wide forestry roads with a decent surface - and no mud!
Some of the features we came across were Pont Rory and a plaque on the bridge in memory of Rory O'Donnell who was an engineer and worked in the area.
We came across two American women who were walking and had fallen in love with Wales and a number of other walkers closer to Llyn Elsi.
Llyn Elsi is used as a reservoir to supply water to the village.
There is a path around the lake.
Originally there were two small lakes here, Llyn Risgog and Llyn Enoc, but in 1914 a 20ft dam was built to create one larger lake.
A monument on the north side of the lake records that Lord Ancaster gave permission to build the dam and use the lake as a reservoir.
With magnificent views over the lake, we stopped for lunch before heading back to our starting point.
The whole trip was about 4.5 miles.
One of the walkers, Chris Copeman, Llandudno, said he enjoyed having the help of one of our volunteer guides along the journey and wanted to say a big thank you to the Association and organiser Mark Roberts and the volunteers.
Another walker, Kevin Phillips, Caernarfon, added: “There's a nice company of us who have come here today. The socialising is worth more than anything else really.”
We organise walks on the third Wednesday of each month and will let you know soon about the details of our next trip.
Any inquiries please contact Bethan Sage Williams on 01248 353 604 or bethan@nwsb.org.uk
- Group of walkers with there guide dogs
- Group of people sitting on the bench with the lake in the background
- A rock with a slate on it with the words - Pont Rory, Er Cof am Rory O'Donnell
- A green field with trees with cows in the background
- Group of walkers following the path with the view of the mountains in the background
- A person walking with his guide dog