Ceunant Ty'n-y-ddôl

Valley in Caernarfonshire

Wales

Ceunant Ty'n-y-ddôl

View from the Crimea Pass Credit: N Chadwick

Ceunant Ty'n-y-ddôl is a picturesque valley located in Caernarfonshire, Wales. Nestled within the Snowdonia National Park, this valley offers breathtaking natural beauty and a tranquil atmosphere for visitors and locals alike.

The valley is characterized by its steep slopes, dense woodlands, and a river that flows through its heart. The river, known as Afon Gwyrfai, cascades down the mountainside, creating stunning waterfalls and glistening pools along its course. The combination of the lush vegetation, rocky outcrops, and the sound of rushing water creates a serene and idyllic setting.

Ceunant Ty'n-y-ddôl is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers. The valley is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare species of birds, butterflies, and wildflowers. Hikers and walkers can explore the numerous trails that wind through the valley, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

For those seeking adventure, Ceunant Ty'n-y-ddôl also offers opportunities for outdoor activities such as rock climbing, abseiling, and canyoning. The challenging terrain and natural features of the valley make it an ideal location for adrenaline-fueled pursuits.

In addition to its natural beauty, Ceunant Ty'n-y-ddôl has a rich history and cultural heritage. The valley is dotted with ancient ruins, including old mines and quarries, which tell the story of its industrial past. The local community takes pride in preserving and sharing this history with visitors.

Overall, Ceunant Ty'n-y-ddôl is a hidden gem within Caernarfonshire, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and cultural heritage. It is a place where visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse themselves in the tranquility of nature.

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Ceunant Ty'n-y-ddôl Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.045989/-3.9485864 or Grid Reference SH6951. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

View from the Crimea Pass

N Chadwick

Forest track below Clogwyn Mawr

Richard Law

Forest track above Blaenau Dolwyddelan

An easy track through the forest, but access is positively discouraged at the point the track leaves the road in the valley below.

Richard Law

Down the track towards a tight bend

A forest track running through the woods above Blaenau Dolwyddelan.

Richard Law

Forest track, with a 'bridge'

The map marks the track crossing the Ceunant Ty'n-y-Ddol just here, but the bridge actually consists of little more than a concrete pipe buried below the trackway.

Richard Law

Track heading up into the mist

Richard Law

Track in the forest

The forest track here crosses an area marked as Sarn Diwaunydd ('poor causeway') which rather suggests this was boggy or difficult ground at one time prior to the planting of the trees.

Richard Law

Tributary of the Afon Edno

This stream is one of several draining the hillside beside the trees in SH6752 : A clump of conifers above Afon Cwm Edno

Richard Law

The former dam in Cwm Edno

Now breached, and the reservoir behind it is little more than a bog; it once held back a substantial reservoir whose purpose is not entirely clear. It was drained by the 1950s.

Richard Law

Southwards across the former dam

The dam held back a reservoir from sometime in the 18th or 19th centuries, until it was breached and drained in the 1950s. Purpose of the reservoir unknown.

Richard Law

Breach in the dam wall

The dam which held back the reservoir SH6752 : The former dam in Cwm Edno was breached in the 1950s, when this substantial opening was made, restoring the Afon Cwm Edno to its former riverbed.

Richard Law

Downstream view of the Afon Cwm Edno

Seen from the old dam wall

Richard Law

Footbridge across the Afon Cwm Edno

The origins of the bridge, and probably the abutments on each bank, are thought to be medieval; it's quite possible that the stone clapper span is original too. It's recently been supplemented by a couple of wooden planks which make the whole affair seem that bit wider when walking over it. The same bridge is seen in SH6752 : Footbridge across the lower Afon Cwm Edno back in 2006.

Richard Law

Former longhut building in the valley

One of two probable hafodau (post-medieval) longhuts just here, whose age is uncertain, but which are clearly shown on the 1:10560 maps from the late 19th century. They are recorded by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust at Link

Richard Law

The old trackway in Cwm Edno

Richard Law

Slate tippings

Probably the same slate heap seen in SH6852 : Slate waste and sheepfold, but it lies near the entrance to a small quarry referred to by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust as Chwarel Owen Parry in Link

Whether it was ever commercially viable, or simply provided a bit of local building stone, remains unanswered.

Richard Law

Gateway with substantial posts

Referred to by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust in Link

as a 'Post Medieval Gate' with massive upright slabs. The notice reads "Please please close this gate" which makes me think the farmer is particularly civil in his request, or has had problems in the past. We closed it.

Richard Law

Sheepfolds on the hillside

The sheepfolds in question aren't the parallel grey lines just below the forest on the far side of the Ceunant Ty'n-y-ddol. We are talking here about the pens attached to the wall which runs in from the left, also seen from the west in SH6852 : Slate waste and sheepfold

Richard Law

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Ceunant Ty'n-y-ddôl is located at Grid Ref: SH6951 (Lat: 53.045989, Lng: -3.9485864)

Unitary Authority: Conwy

Police Authority: North Wales