Carmel circular walk

FIFTEEN of us joined our latest walk – a circular one - starting and ending in the village of Carmel above Caernarfon.

Carmel is in Dyffryn Nantlle, Gwynedd, between Groeslon and Y Fron.

It stands at the foot of Mynydd Cilgwyn.

The area is rich in history where tales about the Mabinogi originated and where princes lived and industry and the quarries have left their mark on the landscape and lakes.

Carmel was developed as a place for the slate quarry workers of the area to live.

The village was named after the Calvinist Methodist chapel which was established in 1827.

The chapel got its name from the biblical name Mynydd Carmel.

Starting in Carmel, we walked up to the old Cilgwyn quarry which was turned into a waste landfill site a few years ago but which is now closed.

There were fantastic views above Talysarn, chwarel Dorothea's quarry and Llyn Nantlle and across to Caernarfon Bay.

It was also possible to see Crib Nantlle and Drws y Coed through the grey sky.

We walked along the old road to the village of Y Fron and found welcoming shelter at Y Ganolfan where we had lunch, hot drinks and used the facilities.

At one time there were numerous quarries in the area including Pen-y-Bryn, Pen-yr-Orsedd, Cilgwyn, Dorothea, Talysarn, Braich, Yr Hen Braich, Yr Hen Fron, Bryn Fferam, Moel Tryfan and Alexandra.

We left Y Fron and walked along the road towards Rhosgadfan before taking the turn towards the hamlet of Bryn and returning to Carmel where Dilwyn’s bus was waiting for us,

This round trip was approximately four miles and the leaders this time were

Alun and Bethan Roberts.

We organise walks on the third Wednesday of each month.

Anyone living with sight loss are welcome to join us.

If you are interested – call Bethan on 01248 or email admin@nwsb.org.uk