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The Route

Set off from the car park at Pont Bethania by crossing the bridge and then the road to gain the signed Watkin Path, up steps and into light, broadleaved woodland that is a delight to encounter. The path brings you to an information panel just above Hafod-y-llan, which farms most of the land on this side of Snowdon, although centuries ago the valley would have been completely forested.

As you leave the woodland behind, so the valley widens and the path heads towards the lower slopes of Yr Aran. At a gate you enter the Yr Wyddfa National Nature Reserve, special for its arctic–alpine and montane plants.

The path climbs steadily on pitched paving until it intercepts a steep tramway belonging to quarry workings further up the cwm. Down to your right the Afon Cwm Llan puts on a fine display of cascades as you approach an area of quarry buildings. One of these, Plas Cwmllan, enclosed by slate fencing, was the home of the manager of the slate quarry found a short distance further on. It was used as a Commando military target during the Second World War, and still bears the scars.