Two hundred years ago Blaenau Ffestiniog was an area of small hamlets and scattered farms. With the growth of the slate industry during the 19th Century the population of the parish of Ffestiniog grew from less than 800 to over 10,000. Unlike the areas further north, almost all of the workings were underground owing to the overlying thickness of rock. It was common for quarrymen and their families to supplement their wages from the quarry by running a smallholding (tyddyn). This was hard work as the land on the lower slopes of the mountains was often poor and unproductive. These small farms with their tidy paddocks surrounded by skilfully built dry stone walls are still familiar features throughout the slate areas.
There are nine walks to choose from.
Cwm Morthin Region
Distance: 2.6 km / 1.6 miles
Approx time: 1 hours
Ordnance Survey Map: OS 0418
Llyn Tanygrisiau Area
Distance: 4.8 km / 3 miles
Approx time: 1 hours
Ordnance Survey Map: OS 0418
Moel Ystadau Area
Distance: 7.4 km / 4.6 miles
Approx time: hours
Ordnance Survey Map: OS 0418
Coed Pengwern Area
Distance: 6.0 km / 3.7 miles
Approx time: 1 hours
Ordnance Survey Map: OS 0418
Cwm Bowydd Area
Distance: 4.6 km / 2.9 miles
Approx time: 1 hours
Ordnance Survey Map: OS 0418
Maen Offeren
Distance: 2.0 km / 1.3 miles
Approx time: 1 hours
Ordnance Survey Map: OS 0418
Congl Wal Area
Distance: 2.9 km / 1.8 miles
Approx time: 1 hours
Ordnance Survey Map: OS 0418
Caecanol Mawr Area
Distance: 2.9 km / 1.8 miles
Approx time: 1 hours
Ordnance Survey Map: OS 0418
Llan Ffestiniog Area
Distance: 4.3 km / 2.7 miles
Approx time: 1 hours
Ordnance Survey Map: OS 0418
