North Wales self guided walking holiday, The Rhinogs

The Rhinogs are the heart of the Snowdonia National park – a secret wilderness of rock, heather and grassland, cut by streams and dotted with lakes, and edged by miles of sandy beaches. Snowdon itself lies to the north, and Cadair Idris to the south – both summits are within reach but tend to be shared with many other walkers, while on the Rhinog crest you are as likely to meet a wild goat as another human being.

The western flanks drop to a sloping plateau of well-grazed fields and short, tree-filled valleys, in turn descending to sand-dunes and the sea; the summer seaside bustle of the coast only emphasising the lonely beauty of the hinterland. At the southern end of the chain the Mawddach estuary adds yet another dimension to the landscape and the walking. Sheep are farmed everywhere - from the salt-flats to the summits - as they have been for at least a thousand years. This is the proud stronghold of the Welsh – you will hear the language spoken everywhere.

Explore the area on foot on an independent break, choose to travel whenever you like, and stay as long as you wish (minimum 2 nights). Holidays include comfortable single-centre accommodation, hearty breakfasts and a Handbook containing masses of local information as well as a wide range of self-guided walks suitable for all abilities and ages (including children). If you opt for an Original holiday, you will also be able to join 3 organised walks per week, receive a lavish packed-lunch every day, and benefit from the full support of a knowledgeable locally based manager. There are no fixed itineraries – you are free to walk as much or as little as you like.

No-Frills – includes town based B&B, Handbook of self-guided walks and local information, and 24/7 telephone support.
Original – includes B&B in town or on rural working farm, Handbook of self-guided walks and local information, 3 organised walks per week, deli-style packed lunches and the services of a local Manager. Short self-guided circuits take you through dunes to wide sandy beaches, to the picturesque waterfalls of Cwm Nantcol, enjoying awesome views along the Mawddach estuary, or setting off to discover the hills and fields immediately behind your accommodation. There are longer (half-day) walks that can take you further into wild landscapes above Harlech (where poet Roberts Graves spent his childhood roaming), onto heathered hills between the estuary and the sea above Barmouth, or in search of King Arthur’s Quoits (in fact prehistoric burial chambers) which he threw down from the summit of Moelfre. Among the options for full-day outings are an ascent of Moelfre (in Arthur’s footsteps, quoit-throwing optional) and loops to the lovely Cregennen lakes beneath Cadair Idris, or to the still waters of Llyn y Fedw above Harlech.

On an Original holiday, your Manager will also be organising walks into the lonely fastnesses of the Rhinogs, treading the ‘Roman Steps’, climbing to the rocky summit of Rhinog Fawr, or following a horse-shoe ridge above the Ysgethin valley in search of wild goats. Weather and energy willing, there might also be opportunities to reach the summits of Snowdon or Cadair Idris.

There are plenty of other things to do too, from visiting mighty Harlech Castle or the Italianate village of Portmeirion, to mountain-biking, pony trekking or a round of golf at Royal St David’s – or you could just choose to spend a day at the seaside! A short stroll from the heart of Harlech, with its shops and restaurants, golf-course and train station, and nearby beaches, stay in a classic Victorian town house B&B, with lovely views over the castle and bay beyond. Newly refurbished, the comfortable en suite rooms are stylishly furnished. Your hosts Cheryl and Peter are keen gardeners and even keener botanists – who can tell you where to spot the best wildflowers in the area! Well-behaved dogs are welcome in one of their rooms.

If you choose an Original holiday you could choose to stay instead on a working farm set in the gentle foothills of the Rhinogs, looking seawards into the sunset. Welsh Mountain sheep and Black Welsh cows graze the land, which is divided into a complex patchwork by tall dry-stone walls. Footpaths and a narrow lane link the isolated buildings with the nearby village, beyond which lies the sandy beaches of Cardigan Bay. Gwion and his young family run their farmhouse B&B from his childhood home, offering elegant en-suite bedrooms and cosy self-contained studios converted from former stables alongside the house. Spring (April/May) - for bluebells and newborn lambs
Summer (June/July/Aug) – for sea-bathing and long days in the hills
Autumn (Sep/Oct) - for falling golden leaves and clear air You can reach our accommodation in Wales by train. The nearest train station is in nearby Harlech.

You can book your tickets and check timetables online with Arriva Trains Wales here