Lovely walk around Bethesda

Twenty-four of us, accompanied by four guide dogs, set off on our latest walk in Bethesda, traversing some of the village's quieter lanes and paths.

Mark Roberts chose this four-mile route because it was the holiday season and the walk took us through an area largely free from heavy tourist traffic.

Mark, a Bethesda resident himself, led us along paths that he and his faithful guide dog, Forest, walk frequently.

We started at the Plas Ffrancon Leisure Centre and headed towards the lower slopes of the Carneddau mountains, making our way up to Cae Clochydd and Tan-y-foel before descending back into the village via Ffordd yr Elen for lunch at Llys Dafydd.

This social space was created to commemorate the history of the Penrhyn Strike; it is an interesting destination featuring a theatre-style layout and nearby toilets.

Interesting slate-related features and the names of local mountains could also be seen there.

After lunch, we crossed Afon Ogwen before continuing along Lôn Las Ogwen (the Slate Trail) towards Zip World.

We paused at the former site of the Quarry Hospital (Penrhyn) - one of the first hospitals in the world to use anaesthetics.

At Zip World, we stopped for a hot drink and used the facilities while marveling at the daredevils on the zip lines overhead. 

The bus picked us up there for the return journey, with everyone having enjoyed themselves once again.