Llandrillo: a great place to be and a wonderful base from which to explore
Wherever you go from Llandrillo you'll find extensive and varied walking, a network of lanes with very little traffic and, further afield, lots of places to visit including some of the most exciting destinations for tourists in North Wales. Walking, cycling on the lanes or take to the hills on a mountain bike - Llandrillo has it all!
Heading north
There are many walks along the Dee valley, both along the river and on the hills on both sides. Llangar church (now a monument open for a few hours most days in Spring and Summer) is just north of Cynwyd and is a lovely site even when the building itself is closed. Not far away Rug Chapel is a preserved 17th century private chapel. You might enjoy a visit to the Rug Estate farm shop as well, widely acknowledged as a source of some of the finest meat in Britain. Corwen has Caer Drewyn, a fascinating hill fort as well as other walks. The railway from Llangollen is expected to reach Corwen in 2012. Further north, Ruthin and Mold (market Wednesday and Saturday) are pleasant towns worth exploring. The Clwydian Hills AONB is well worth a visit.
Look east
The Berwyn mountains rise on the eastern side of Llandrillo. If you enjoy serious hill walking this area will provide all you need. Go for the Berwyn peak itself (890m) but always go well-equipped and be aware of the weather conditions. Wayfarer's Pass (via Pen Y Bwlch Llandrillo) will take you on a beautiful route through the Berwyns to Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog. Not far from there is Pistyll Rhaeadr, at 240 feet the highest waterfall in Wales. Charming villages like Llangynog and Llanfycillin also lie to the east. Or drive to Llangollen - a steam railway, canal with boat trips and many other tourist attractions. Don't miss the aqueduct at Pontcysyllte where Thomas Telford's canal is carried 120 feet above the Dee! Telford built another aqueduct for the same canal at Chirk, which is also well worth a visit.
Go west
Directly west lie the quiet hills around Cwm Main - another area where walking or cycling are a real pleasure. Further west, along the A5, lie Trawsfyndd lake and Betws y Coed, leading to all the delights of the Conwy Valley and Snowdonia.
Venture south
Llandrillo lies at the end of it's own valley (Cwm Pennant) which has no road access to the south, so there is no through traffic to disturb you as you wander and enjoy the beauties of the area. Going south via the Dee valley will take you to the attractive village of Llanderfel and on to Bala where you can enjoy the largest natural lake in Wales and the beauty of the surrounding hills. Take the A4212 from Bala (toward Trawsfyndd) and in a few minutes you will be at the National White Water Centre - rafting for the adventurous! A minor road from the south end of Bala Lake will take you over the Bwlch y Groes, the highest road pass in North Wales with wonderful views at it winds across to Dinas Mawddwy, or take a left just after the top and head for Lake Vyrnwy, a reservoir with many walks, cycle routes and boating as well. Go on past Bala to Dolgellau and the glories of Cader Idris. Go further and enjoy Barmouth and the marvellous Mawddach estuary.
Llandrillo is right in the heart of all this. Here are a few road distances for planning:
Corwen: 5 miles
Ruthin: 17 miles
Mold: 25 miles
Llangollen: 15 miles
Betws y Coed: 26 miles
Llanfyllin: 18 miles
Bala: 8 miles
Dolgellau: 26 miles
Barmouth: 35 miles
We recommend the following websites. Please let us know if there are others we can add to help others:
Llandrillo is just outside the border of Snowdonia National Park. The Park website is here
Wikipedia has an article on the Berwyn Mountains
Single Track Magazine (Mountain Biking) has an article with three routes in the Berwyns here
Walks in the Berwyns from Trekking Magazine and an independent walker.
