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Abtot Logo. Encounter Walking Holidays member number 5357

Itinerary

Section 1

Porthmadog to Harlech

Walk straight out from the centre of Porthmadog, past its pretty harbour

Section 2

Harlech to Barmouth

Today you climb dunes and tumble a wild scene at Traeth Harlech

Section 2a

Mountain route to Barmouth

An alternative on the Ardudwy Way, avoiding the road into Barmouth

Section 3

Barmouth to Llwyngwril

It’s an iconic start today, crossing the 700 metre long Barmouth Bridge

Section 4

Llwyngwril to Aberdyfi

Leaving the village, it is straight back up the hillside with a steep climb

Section 5

Aberdyfi to Machynlleth

 Zigzag up steps, track and heath to the slopes of Cefn Rhos

Optional

Climb Cadair Idris

Cadair Idris looms over the Welsh landscape north of Machynlleth

Barmouth Bridge on the Meirionnydd & Snowdonia coast path

"This is a magical part of the Welsh Coast Path, where mountains meet the sea and getting a great glimpse of the coastline from the summit of the mighty Cadair Idris is such a bonus"

Raegan -  Walking Co-Ordinator at Encounter

Meirionnydd & Snowdonia

Meirionnydd & Snowdonia

Interactive Map

Pricing On This Route

A single walker staying in single or single occupancy en-suite rooms can expect to pay somewhere between £150 and £180 per night, including luggage transfers.

Two people sharing a double or twin en-suite room can expect to pay somewhere between £110 and £140 per person per night,  inclusive of luggage transfers.

Please be aware that these prices depend on accommodation chosen, time of year, etc. and are indicative only, based on customers walking with us between 2021 and 2023. For accurate pricing please request a quote.

Our prices include -

- Your choices of good quality en-suite B&B, Inn and small hotel accommodation with full breakfast (where available), together with upgrade options.

- Detailed walking route planning and ongoing support from specialist walking advisors from your enquiry through to the end of the walk

- A full booking administration and holiday management service including information on travel to and from your walking routes

- Secure and reliable daily luggage transfers between accommodations

- The best available maps & guidebooks along with your own personal detailed route notes & itinerary posted to you whether you are based in the UK or overseas

​​

Please see below for six factors which affect your quoted price - 

​​1 - The time of year you are walking -  The low season (outside of May to September) is generally cheaper than the peak months.

2 - How early you book. Cheaper accommodation tends to book out first so to get the best prices and choice of accommodation we recommend you book as early as you can. Bookings open for the season the previous summer.

3 - Which routes and areas you choose - Cornwall, South Devon and Dorset are the more expensive regions while Wales, Somerset, North Devon and Dartmoor tend to offer better prices. We also often run seasonal special offers on certain routes so ask if these would be of interest.

4 - Type of accommodation  -  You can choose to upgrade to luxury hotels or downgrade to basic B&B's and we will try to match your walk to your budget. Quotes will show standard options and the costs for any upgrades so you can pick and choose to suit your plans.

5 - The number of walkers - rates are generally based on 2 walkers -  the more walkers the cheaper prices get as we split the costs of providing the walk between the group.

6 - Luggage Transfers - our quotes include two prices - with and without luggage transfers so if you want to keep the costs down you can choose to carry your own luggage to avoid those charges.

If you want to try to get the lowest prices let us know your budget - we can advise honestly and openly what is possible - we don't want to see anyone unable to walk the routes due to costs.

 

To request a quote costs nothing and there is no commitment to book - so do try us! We usually have quotes emailed back to you within a few days and these documents are very detailed with accommodation choices, website links to the accommodations, route descriptions, daily walking grade and mileage, travel info to the trail and of course a guaranteed price to consider.  All for the specific walk YOU want.

Fast Route
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Option
Porthmadog to Llanbedr 
Llanbedr to Barmouth
Barmouth to Tywyn
Tywyn to Machynlleth
Climb Cadair Idris from Machynlleth
16 miles
12 miles
16 miles
16.5 miles
6 miles
Daily average 15 miles
Standard Route
Day 1
Porthmadog to Harlech
11 miles
Day 2
Harlech to Barmouth
17 miles
Day 2a
Add 1 day to take the mountain alternative to Barmouth
Day 3
Barmouth to Llwyngwril
Day 4
Llwyngwril to Aberdyfi
8 miles
12 miles
Day 5
Aberdyfi to Machynlleth 
12 miles
Option
Climb Cadair Idris from Machynlleth
6 miles
Daily average 12 miles
Relaxed Route
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Option
Daily average 10.3 miles
Porthmadog to Harlech
Harlech to Dyffryn Ardudwy
Dyffryn Ardudwy to Barmouth
Barmouth to Llwyngwril
Llwyngwril to Aberdyfi
Aberdyfi to Machynlleth
Climb Cadair Idris from Machynlleth
11 miles
12 miles
6.5 miles
8 miles
12 miles
12 miles
6 miles

Overview

Route Profile And Options

Train Arrival  - Direct trains from Birmingham New Street Station run via Machynlleth before heading along the coast path route on a stunning ride through to the start of the trail at Porthmadog. Time from Birmingham around 4.5 hours - around 6 trains a day Monday to Saturday but only 4 on a Sunday.

For those with plenty of time arriving from the North its also possible in high season to get to Porthmadog by train through Snowdonia National Park. Use the National Rail Network trains via Chester and Llandudno Junction to the Mountain Slate Town of Blaenau Ffestiniog in Snowdonia National Park.  From here you can change to the Steam Train on a stunning journey on the Ffestiniog Railway to Porthmadog - Its not a quick way to arrive and will take most of the day but its stunning if you can fit it in - for more details see www.festrail.co.uk/index.htm 

Train Departure -  From Machynlleth direct trains to Birmingham New Street only take around 2.5 hours - There are around 10 trains a day Monday to Saturday with a reduced service on Sundays and Bank Holidays of around 8 trains. From Birmingham New Street you can link to London, Manchester and other UK destinations using West Coast fast trains

 

Full details on train times and ordering tickets can be got from www.thetrainline.com  If you are already travelling call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or Arriva Trains Wales on 03333 211 202. For combined bus and rail options use the helpful Traveline Wales website www.traveline.cymru which will give you up to date detail, times and directions. If you are already on the road you can call them on 0871 200 2233 open 08:00-20:00 daily

Travel To And From The Route

Reviews & Feedback

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Is this for you?
A varied walk for those that want to be close to the mountains and the ocean. Generally easy but with inland mountain options if you want a challenge. Great mix of beach, forest, coastal marshland & inland hills with bags of Welsh culture & History en route

Highlights
Portmerrion Village, mountain steam railways...

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