A train ride, a 3km walk with 2 lakes, a play area, a cafe and a pub with a carvery and another play area… if this isn’t a dream day out I don’t what is!

(See below for all the info on this walk and the directions)

If you have kiddos who love trains then this spot is for you! We saw 5 steam trains in the couple of hours that we were here, plus they have a wooden train play area and this walk includes a short ride on the steam train! 

Here’s what we love about this walk…

• Short but sweet 7 minute train ride (£6 for 1 adult and 2 kids)

• 3 km walk along an easy well maintained path

• 2 beautiful lakes with paddle spots

• Stunning views and magical woodlands

• A pond with a little waterfall

• The chance to see steam trains all along the walk 

• Picnic spot at Llyn Mair

• Toilets, cafe and play area at the start/end of the walk

• Great pub with a carvery on a Sunday 2 minutes drive

  Railway timetable: https://www.festrail.co.uk/pdf/summary-tt-2025.pdf
  

Walk Info

LENGTH: 3km

PRAM FRIENDLY: No

TIME IT TOOK US TO COMPLETE:  2 hours with lots of stopping to play and have lunch

PARKING: Ffestiniog Railway - Tan-y-bwlch Station (Free)

TOILETS: at the carpark

FOOD & DRINK: There is a lovely little cafe at the station with seating indoors and outside at the play area, or our favourite carvery pub (with play area) is just a few minutes drive down the road @theoakeleyarms

Directions

1. Park at the free car park at Tan Y Bwlch station

2. Jump on the train going to Portmadog (timetable can be found online) and let the station master know you want to get off at Plas Halt (you have to request this stop, it will not stop here unless you ask them to)

3. Leave the station and follow the path to your right

4. Go through the gate and cross the train line following the path down to a pond.

5. Turn left at the pond and follow this fire road until you see a footpath sign and a small footpath to your left, this will lead you to the first lake Llyn Mair.

6. Follow the path around the lake, you will find a little pond and waterfall halfway this is a great spot for a little play

7. The path leaves the shores of the lake and joins a fire road, turn left onto it, it climbs very steadily through the woods and over the train line (we saw another train crossing here)

8. At the top of this footpath join the fire road briefly before taking the sign posted path down to the second lake Llyn Hafod-y-LLyn, there is a little paddle spot here, jetty and a picnic bench. 

9. Continue along this path around the lake until you rejoin the fire road.

10. Turn right onto the fireroad and through the parking area, then cross over the road. 

11. Continue up the fireroad until you see a footpath sign and path next to a wall and some recently felled trees. 

12. Follow this path back to the station. 

Route Map

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/26636041/a-train-and-2-lakes?lat=52.95189&lon=-4.01405&zoom=15.5554&style=Standard&type=2d