Where We Walked #Nantmor to #Beddgelert via Bryn Ddu – the Fisherman’s Path -River Glaslyn #Wales #walks #climbs #photographs #no stiles #holidays. Part Three – the Last Leg of the Walk

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The last part of our hike walk was along the Fisherman’s Walk,following the course of the Afon Glaslyn, a sixteen mile sea trout river whose source is a lake in a valley on the edge of Snowdon,and eventually runs into Tremadog Bay near Porthmadog.

We’d rewarded ourselves with a fabulously tasty but light meal in a bistro in Beddgelert and a wander around for an hour or so, before tackling the last part of the walk. After refilling our water bottles we strolled along a paved footpath along the riverside. This will be a doddle, I thought, watching the Photographer indulge in a few photos shots. A nice, calm, wide river.

Further on we crossed a footbridge beside the railway bridge and went through two kissing gates that crossed the railway line (still no sign of the elusive steam engine – to his disappointment and my relief at that point – after the day we’d had I didn’t fancy being run over by a steam train!).

But I wasn’t prepared for what was around the corner…

Glorious though the river was, it had rained quite a lot in the previous few weeks. Now Afon Glaslyn flowed swiftly over rocks and gulleys. And the path is made up of slabs, rocks and, sometimes an indiscernible way forward. I think the only thing I said in the next hour was … “Where’s the path gone?”

See what I mean?

This section was especially challenging – note the handholds hammered into the rock face so we could swing around the corner of the rock on the narrow path … er … stone slabs above the churning Afon Glaslyn.

One last scramble over rocks before we reached the relatively safer gravel path

And back onto the bridge that we’d stood on at the beginning of the day. And a chance for a last photograph.

And … a welcome sight … back to the cosy farm cottage in Nantmor, where we were staying for the week. Ready for an evening of quiet editing of my next book – The Stranger in my House

Nantmor is famous for being the filming location of the 1958 film, Inn of the Sixth Happiness starring Ingrid Bergman and Robert Donat. The film was based on the true story of Gladys Aylward,a British nurse who became a missionary in China in the unsettled years leading up to the Second World War. Nantmor doubled as China and people from the Chinese communities in Liverpool were brought in as extras for filming.

I found an interesting article on the history and repairs of the Popular Fisherman’s path in Beddgelert when ” After winter storms and high river levels washed away a 100m section of the Fisherman’s path, the Welsh Highland Railway swapped its cargo of tourists for stone, reverting to its original purpose for a day. Repaired, thanks to special delivery by Welsh Highland Railway.” Published: 20 February 2023: https://tinyurl.com/32md9b3f

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35 thoughts on “Where We Walked #Nantmor to #Beddgelert via Bryn Ddu – the Fisherman’s Path -River Glaslyn #Wales #walks #climbs #photographs #no stiles #holidays. Part Three – the Last Leg of the Walk”

    • It was, Rosie. And so true. I knew the only way was forward, and anticipating a sense of achievement with a glass of wine before starting on the editing. Thank you so much for following us through this walk.😊

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  3. There used to be a level path along the Glaslyn gorge, on the old railway track. It did involve a couple of scary tunnels. Can’t do it now because it’s now the new railway track.

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    • I think I’d prefer scary tunnels to swinging around rock faces with iron holds fastened to them, and balancing on pointy rocks… er… perhaps not – tunnels are dark!! Thanks for dropping by to comment, Thorne.

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      • the tunnel that had a slight curve, plunging you into absolute darkness, was the worst. Just in case there were fathomless shafts awaiting you. But wow, the gorge has to be one of the most scenic sights in Wales. No pic from the bridge, from David?

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  4. The last part of that hike was one more challenge! But what a lovely river and the sound of the water must have been mesmerizing. Not sure I could have managed the part with the handholds, but exciting!

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    • Looking back on that day gives such satisfaction, Noelle. To have seen so much, such diverse scenary, made all the breathlessness and aching legs all worthwhile. The river was wonderful to see and hear. The handholds – I have to admit – I grabbed them, closed my eyes, and swung round the rock… and hoped David (who was following closely) would catch me before I fell. Such advenyures!! Many thanks for following us on these walks, Noelle, it’s alway brilliant to read your comment here. x

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  8. That river must have been moving very fast, given all the rain coming down from the mountains, Judith. But how beautiful it looks. Did you see any trout in the river?

    I had visions of ‘Gladiators’ with you hanging on to those handholds in the rocks to swing yourself around.

    It is such a remote cottage, so I bet the night skies were amazing. What was the Wi-Fi connection like in the cottage?

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    • Practicalities first, Hugh – the WiFi was okay in the evenings and nightime (insomnia has its benefits!!😊). The river was flowing fast, and was deep in places, but dramatic and wondrous to see and hear. We didn’t see any trout though, even when the river stilled around rock pools or in the deeper water. ‘Gladiators’? Much as I would love to claim the image, it was more like hang on/screech/leap/hope for the best! Thank you so much for reading the posts. It was a glorious, if absolutely shattering days’ walk, all told. x

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      • Hahaha – you’re right, Hugh. And the arm strengthening. And I’m sure the fear factor and adrenilin must have done something to help with the calories. By the way, are you on Instagram?

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      • I’ll have a look at Instagram over the weekend, Judith. I’ll have a look for you, although if my old account is still there, I may already be following you (unless you weren’t on Instagram before?).

        Are there many other bloggers and writers there?

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      • Cheers, Hugh. There do seem to be a lot of writers and there, and on threads – many who’ve moved from Twitter/X as well.
        I found the adjusting to not being on X a lttlie difficult but I realised it was mostly because I shared people on twitter that I didn’t want to share eleswhere – or weren’t on any of the other platforms.
        I’m never sure that social media sells books. I mainly wanted to be there to learn about how to blog or make posts. But it all becomes a ‘I’ll share yours if you share mine’ with a lot of authors on X – which is so time consuming. And I’m sure we’re all going round in circles, author with authur – and not readers. I much prefer to meet people in real life… very ‘old school’ I’m afraid!! 😊

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      • There is no need to apologise, Judith. I’m glad that I grew up before social media came on the scene. I only have to look at a family in a restaurant, all with their heads down, looking at their phones, to appreciate how keeping the art of conversation alive is something I always do (even on my blog and when leaving comments). I am curious to know how people cope without face-to-face contact. Social media has undoubtedly allowed loneliness to thrive, which is very sad.

        It’s sad to think that some bloggers feel they have to follow every blog that follows them in order to get noticed. As you rightly said, doing something like that is so time-consuming and only leads to feeling overwhelmed.

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