Why visit?
- Picnic spot
- Views
- Woodland walk
Nestled within the Lledr valley, Dolwyddelan is a pretty village with a strong community spirit. At the centre of the village is the railway station. The Conwy Valley line runs from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Llandudno. Here in the free station car park, picnic benches invite you to sit and take in the surrounding views, including Moel Siabod. Local volunteers take care of several flowerbeds and interpretation panels.
The tiny picnic area is in the open, while the small woodland adjacent offers a short circular stroll in dappled shade. The woodland sits between the roadside stone wall and railway track.
What wildlife will you discover?
A circular path guides you past birch and willow trees that rustle in light wind. A pleasant background noise to the loud wren, blackbird, robin, chaffinch and jay.
During an April picnic we spotted:
- Silver birch
- Common ash
- Grey willow
- Goat willow
- Wych elm
- Dog’s mercury
- Herb robert
- Wood aven
- Wood anemone
- Lesser celandine
Walking routes
From this car park, there are several different circular route options. Some are highlighted here under the ‘walking tab’. Cycling routes promoted too - Mentor Siabod.
Why not take a stroll around the tops of Dolwyddelan by following the Cwm Penmaen walking route? Details of this route can be found on the Snowdonia National park authority website.
How to get there
Walking & cycling
From the village centre, the Dolwyddelan picnic site is a short seven minute walk or a two minute cycle ride off the A470, along Church Street, Bridge Street. Past the junior school entrance on your left, turning right into the railway station car park. OS grid reference: SH 737 521.
Public transport
The nearest bus stop is the Gwalia stop in the village centre. From here the site is a short seven minute walk.
Visit Transport for Wales for Dolwyddelan station information.
Driving
From Betws y Coed drive south on the A470. Follow signs for Dolwyddelan and drive through the village. Turn off the main road onto Church Street leading to Bridge Street. Past the junior school entrance on your left, turn immediately right into the free railway station car park.
An interpretation panel welcomes you to the picnic area and woodland.
Facilities
- Several picnic benches offer a nice place to rest and eat
- Waste bins
- Nearest public toilets including accessible facilities are by the Dolwyddelan Post Office (post code LL25 0NJ)
What’s nearby?
Dolwyddelan Castle is located a little further along the A470 from Dolwyddelan. It was built as a fortress to command the mountain pass and stands as a memorial to prince Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, the undisputed ruler of Gwynedd from 1201 until his death in 1240. Find out more on the Cadw website
Visit Conwy provides information about local accommodation and places to visit.
Ash dieback is a disease affecting ash trees within many of our broadleaved woodland nature reserves and parks.