On Wednesday the 21st of August 2019, Dan and I left home at 0930 hours for the just over 5 hour drive to Snowdonia. We planned to walk the Snowdon Horseshoe the next day with the Walking for Pleasure Facebook group.
We arrived just after 3pm and after a bit of driving about we found the car park for The Fairy Glen Gorge.
So after paying £1 for parking and a £1 each entry we walk in. (I've heard stories of the farmer chasing people, so make sure you pay!)
Famous beauty spot in Betws-y-coed.
The Fairy Glen is a gorgeous wooden dingle and considered one of the prettiest spots in the area. This area is so called the Fairy Glen for the mythical sprites which are said to live there. A stream weaves between two sides of a small rocky gorge. This beauty spot is the perfect place for a little rocky scramble and too take some pictures.
We take the steep and slippery wet steps down (carefully!)
Atmospheric Fairy Glen is known in Welsh as Ffos Noddun, which translates as 'deep ditch'.
Fairy Glen is a secluded gorge on the River Conwy and is located only a short distance from Beaver bridge on the outskirts of the village of Betws y Coed. The picturesque gorge is a great favourite with both photographers and artists. The River Conwy drops through a Victorian fish ladder and is channeled through a narrow ravine forming rapids and cascades.
The thickly wooded gorge is a protected wildlife site and has a large population of rare ferns and lichens. Flowering plants include globeflower and early purple orchid. Otters have been reported to have been sighted at the spot.
“On mossy mound where toadstools grow, They dance in moonlight, row on row, To music from the purling brook Where Conwy dreams in secret nook. Strange moonlight whisperings thru the wood Where ancient golden beech have stood And drowsed, thru drifting times of yore,Steeped deep in mystic myth and lore” Leila Sen
For as long as I can remember I have wanted to visit The Fairy Glen Gorge, all I have ever seen of it, is a selection of stunning images! Nothing can prepare you for just how stunning it is and no picture I have ever seen has lived up to its actual beauty!
It is so tranquil sitting there listening the the river flow by. I was so tempted to get in for a swim, but had nothing to change into!
“The Welsh said that the fairies controlled and disturbed the waters of springs, rivers, lakes, and the sea on Friday.” – Folklore of Wales
The rocks were slipperly and I slipped twice, so shoes off and walked barefoot.
The Conwy is bounded to the east by the rolling ancient mudstone hills of the Silurian period, the Migneint Moors. These acid rocks are generally covered in thin, often acid soils and for large parts of the upland areas the cover is of moor-grass — Mollinia sppand Erica communities. As a result, the water entering the river tends to be acidic and often coloured brown with humic acids.
The River Conwy, its source to its discharge in Conwy Bay it is a little over 27 miles (43 km) long. "Conwy" was formerly Anglicised as "Conway."
The name 'Conwy' derives from the old Welsh words 'cyn' (chief) and 'gwy' (water), the river being originally called the 'Cynwy'.
It rises on the Migneint moor where a number of small streams flow into Llyn Conwy, then flows in a generally northern direction, being joined by the tributaries of the rivers Machno and Lledr before reaching Betws-y-Coed, where it is also joined by Afon Llugwy. From Betws-y-coed the river continues to flow north through Llanrwst, Trefriw (where it is joined by the Afon Crafnant) and Dolgarrog (where it is joined by Afon Porth-llwyd and Afon Ddu) before reaching Conwy Bay at Conwy. A local quay, Cei Cae Gwyn, is located on its bank. During springtides the river is tidal as far as Tan-lan, near Llanrwst.
This area is so called the Fairy Glen for the mythical sprites which are said to live there. A stream weaves between two sides of a small rocky gorge. The second you get the first peek at the magical gorge, you are left with no doubts that fairies probably do live there!
The Conwy is noted for its salmon and sea trout although increasing acidification in the second half of the 20th century, especially in the poorly buffered upland waters has significantly impacted upon their spawning success. The construction of an artificial fish pass in the 1990s to allow migratory salmonids access to the river above Conwy falls was intended to help mitigate the effects of acidification.
Yes, I know a ton of pictures, but I make no apologies. It is that beautiful you can not help yourself!
We left the Glen and followed The River Conwy on the River Walk.
So only a short 1 mile walk, but it is so worth the visit!
We head into Llanberis afterwards for dinner. We went into Pete's Eats which has always been fantastic in the past. We ordered two pints of tea and dinner. Half hour went by no dinner, when asked they said another 10 minutes! We'd waited long enough so we got a refund and walked up the road for Fish N Chips.
Afterwards we drove to Ty Isaf Campsite in Nant Peris and paid our £5 each for the night. The rain had now started to come down and lasted all night.
We dashed across the road to The Vanyol Arms for drinks and a game of pool.
We both had a pint of Gwrwr Ddraig Aur, both disliked it instantly.
So this was followed by a Welsh cider for me and Dan a Pint of Robinsons Wizard.
The next morning after a night of rain, we awoke to a soggy field and drizzle. The mountains covered in heavy fog.
We cooked up bacon sandwiches on my new Cadac and decided not to walk the Snowdon Horeshoe, it would be slipperly on the Crib Goch and views non-existent. My ankle was playing up again as well.
So today we decide on walking the Llyn Padarn walk I have looked at previously to do.
See blog here of this walk.