Coed Bwlchyrhaearn

Wood, Forest in Caernarfonshire

Wales

Coed Bwlchyrhaearn

Gwydir Uchaf Chapel View from the east in 1980. — Gwydir Uchaf Chapel Credit: Sandy Gerrard

Coed Bwlchyrhaearn, located in Caernarfonshire, Wales, is a picturesque woodland area renowned for its natural beauty and rich history. Spread across approximately 200 acres, the woodland is a haven for nature enthusiasts and offers a tranquil escape from the bustling city life.

The forest is characterized by its diverse ecosystem, comprising a mix of broadleaf and coniferous trees, including oak, beech, ash, and pine. This variety of tree species provides a habitat for a wide range of wildlife, such as red squirrels, foxes, badgers, and a myriad of bird species. Walking through the woods, visitors can often catch glimpses of these animals in their natural habitat.

Coed Bwlchyrhaearn is also steeped in history and folklore. It is believed that the woodland has been present since the end of the last Ice Age, with traces of ancient settlements found within its boundaries. The area is also associated with Welsh mythology and legends, adding to its mystical allure.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the woodland offers a network of well-maintained trails that allow visitors to explore its scenic beauty. From leisurely strolls to more challenging hikes, there is a trail suitable for every level of fitness. The woods are particularly enchanting during the spring and summer months when the forest floor is carpeted with colorful wildflowers.

Coed Bwlchyrhaearn is a popular destination for nature lovers, history buffs, and those seeking a peaceful retreat. With its stunning natural landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultural heritage, it offers a truly immersive experience for all who visit.

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Coed Bwlchyrhaearn Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.121425/-3.8269263 or Grid Reference SH7759. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Gwydir Uchaf Chapel

View from the east in 1980.

Sandy Gerrard

Gwydir Uchaf Chapel

John H Darch

West shore footpath approaching Llyn Geirionydd

The path leads north north east from Ty Newydd and is a little damp at first, but gets progressively higher and drier as it heads down the llyn.

Andy Waddington

Footpath in Pen-y parc

There is a public footpath, mainly avoiding the forestry tracks, climbing from the car park to the north, towards Parc Uchaf Gwydyr. Just before this point, it takes a sharp, unsignposted right turn, but this footpath continues straight on, apparently the more used way. However, this area around Pen-y parc has seen quite a lot of tree felling and extraction recently and there are huge muddy gouges and deeply rutted tracks to negotiate before next finding a "proper" path. It's probably a good idea to use one of the forestry tracks met at 220m altitude rather than try to follow the public right of way (or its branches) up here.

Andy Waddington

Steep track above Hafna mine

Directly behind the photographer, a public footpath ascends through the ruins of Hafna mine, joining at this point with a forest track coming up from the left (I'm standing at the apex of a hairpin bend). Downhill, the track drops to the minor road from Llanrwst to Llyn Geirionydd (SH7759 : Gated forest track). Uphill it continues to a T-junction with a rather more gentle forest track, but the public footpath continues upwards heading over Pen-y-gwaith towards another set of mine ruins.

Andy Waddington

Ruined Hafna Lead Mine

The public footpath descends steeply over steps towards the minor road and forest parking area below, nowadays protected by heath-and-safety-aware steel fencing which would have seemed alien to those who once worked here. For walkers who would also prefer to shun such nanny-state artefacts, one may follow a little leat to the left of the photographer and then zigzag back to the foot of the mine ruins by a grassy path.

Andy Waddington

Old Milestone, B5106, Llanrwst

On the Southern side of the modern line of the road in the perimeter wall of "Melin Blwm". Near to the site of a saw mill (melin blwm) & Gwydyr Uchaf. Erected by the Caernavonshire Turnpike Trust in the 18ᵗʰ C. Inscription: Conway 11 / Llanrwst ¾ Milestone Society National ID: CAE_CYLR11

Matt Jones

Gnarled oak by Llyn y Parc

Whilst there are a lot of planted conifers (mostly spruce) and some volunteer seedlings from those, there are also plenty of native trees, including birch and alder which like the damp location, and oaks, some of which are old and gnarled (among others which are no more than tiny saplings). There was plenty of time to take photographs whilst offspring senior and partner took the dogs for a swim in Llyn y Parc (not my idea of the weather for that activity). This was one of the older and more scenic oaks, with one big bough that had lost its bark, but regrowth sprouting determinedly from the trunk.

Andy Waddington

Track from Llyn y Parc to Gwydir Uchaf

The track starts out as a public footpath along the side of Llyn y Parc, but the designation as a right of way ends abruptly at a parish boundary as the track continues. That suggests a failure to register a right of way under the 1949 Countryside Act, and there is limited time left to do that, though the motivation to do so may be lacking now that the area is Access Land under the more recent CROW Act. It appears never to have been a bridleway, but it is clear that all the tracks hereabouts are used by mountain bikers, including many that are not marked on the map at all. Much of this part of the forest is populated with native broadleaves, having left the planted conifers behind high up, but there are also plenty of the invasive weed species, Sycamore, which is not native and suffers from Acer tar spot, deeply unattractive in otherwise rather pleasant woodland.

Andy Waddington

Reeds in Llyn y Parc

Vegetation crowds close to the shore here, so wellies were definitely required for this photo - indeed, they were close to being overtopped despite the water remaining relatively shallow for some way out into the llyn. But low angle lighting and autumn colours encourage one forward... what's life without some risk ? Wet feet aren't the end of the world.

Andy Waddington

Gated forest track

This is the final section of a steep track dropping to the minor road from Llanrwst to Llyn Geirionydd. It has come over Pen-y-gwaith, taking a sharp hairpin to avoid dropping into Hafna mine.

Andy Waddington

Old reservoir now part of Cors Bodgynydd Nature Reserve

Despite plentiful ruins, old shafts, leats, reservoirs, settling ponds and much other evidence of lead mining, this area is slowly reverting to nature and is the haunt of Carnedd ponies (one of whom was just out of shot refusing to come and form part of my composition).

Andy Waddington

Looking along the dam face of Llyn Tynymynydd

The shallow Llyn Tynymynydd is slowly silting up and reverting to bog, but was once a reservoir used in the lead mining industry. Both the shore and the dam face are becoming covered in seral trees, mainly birch and alder.

Andy Waddington

Looking over ruined Cyffty lead mine buildings

Next to the carpark is the crushing mill whilst autumnal bracken outlines the buddle beyond which lies the forge. Unlike lead mining ruins in some other areas, the ground does not seem to have become so toxic that nothing grows and the mine is much more overgrown than I would have expected.

Andy Waddington

Yellow path in Parc Ucahf Gwydyr

Dani

Llyn y Parc beach

Dani

Scene above Gwydyr Uchaf Chapel in March

Two ponies graze in the field (the one on the left has just been lying down after a roll or was sleeping) and the chapel can be seen on the edge of this shot, next to the Forestry offices for Gwydyr Forest and a pair of houses comprise the view. A peacock patrols in front of the parked car, its cries a little out of keeping with the birdsong on a fine Spring morning.

Jeremy Bolwell

Gwydyr Uchaf Chapel

Built for the Wynn family of baronets in the 1600's as a family chapel. To obtain a key and view the painted ceiling and interior you have to phone and pre-book.

Jeremy Bolwell

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Coed Bwlchyrhaearn is located at Grid Ref: SH7759 (Lat: 53.121425, Lng: -3.8269263)

Unitary Authority: Conwy

Police Authority: North Wales