Abercelyn Country House is a Grade-II listed, former rectory built in 1729

Mrs Lindsay Hind

Abercelyn Country House

& Cottages

Llanycil, Bala, LL23 7YF

Gwynedd, Wales, UK

Phone: 01678 521109

Phone (int.): +44 1678 521109

 E-mail: info@abercelyn.co.uk

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Bala Challenge

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Visit Wales (WTB)

Country House (5-Star)
and Cottages (4/5-Star)

Five Star rating by Visit Wales

Improvements at Abercelyn have been assisted by Visit Wales

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Abercelyn is located near Bala in Snowdonia, Wales, UK
Bala is located in the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales, UK

The Snowdonia National Park provides outstanding opportunities for mountain walking, white-water-rafting, mountain biking, sailing and more

Walkers WelcomeCyclists Welcome

Green Dragon Environmental Award

Green Dragon Award

Credit and Debit cards accepted

Terms & Conditions

Bed and Breakfast in Snowdonia

Self catering in Snowdonia

Cottages in Snowdonia

Biking in Snowdonia

Guided walking in Snowdonia

Self-guided walking in Snowdonia

Things to do in Snowdonia

Things to do around Bala
© 2005 Abercelyn Country House

Walking at Abercelyn
Guided walking & multi-activity holidays are provided at Abercelyn, please go to the website for full details of these holidays

We offer guided walking on a daily basis at special prices for Abercelyn guests - more information
Abercelyn is ideally situated in Snowdonia for mountain-walking, there are three local mountain ranges (Arenig, Aran, Berwyn) readily accessible and other parts of Snowdonia are a short drive away. The local mountain ranges provide un-crowded walking over a variety of terrain, ranging from valley walks to peaks approaching 3000 ft.

Precipice Walk is considered to be one of the classic walks of Snowdonia and is included in the six "Great British Views, by the Rambler's Association (see Walk, winter 2008). Its described as a family-friendly ramble over mostly level ground and provides unrivalled views of the estuary and Cader Idris.

The Mawddach Trail was featured on BBC2 "Railway Walks" with Julia Bradbury.

A walk to the top of Pistyll Rhaeadr, the tallest waterfall in Wales, is one of The Times 50 Best Walks.

Arenig Fawr & Moel Llynant
For long distance walkers, transport can be provided to suitable points - by prior booking only and subject to availability. For example Llanuwchllyn is on the Dyfi Valley Way and the Cambrian Way (Aran extension). There are routes through the Berwyns are within easy access of Abercelyn.

There are several walks directly from Abercelyn including:

  • A short walk through woods, with bluebells in season, overlooking a mountain stream

  • A walk with industrial history interest including a former manganese mine and caves which were a former stone quarry
  • A level walk on good surfaces along the side of the lake then the River Dee & Tryweryn
  • A walk to the summit of Moel y Garnedd with excellent panoramic views and return through the wood
  • Around Lake Bala (14 miles) or half-way (8 miles) with return by steam railway
  • Llanycil - Llanuwchllyn (6 miles) with return by bus (verbal commentary by MP3 download from SNPA)

Link to Mountain views

Walks:

Link to walks in Snowdonia (Walking Britain), including:

     Moel y Garnedd: a walk directly from Abercelyn

Lake Views: a walk near or directly from Abercelyn

Moel Emoel: a circular walk with views of lakes and mountains

Castell Carndochan: a 13th C ruined castle on an impressive crag

 

The Bala Lake circuit follows the route of the Bala Challenge and is a 14 mile walk around the lake using footpaths on the surrounding hills with excellent views. It may be split into two walks with the possibility of using the steam Bala Lake Railway or bus - the route description and information notes are available for guests at Abercelyn.

 

Snowdonia National Park Authority walks around Bala:

Craig-y-fron

Precipice Walk

Torrent Walk

Glyn Aran Walk

Clogau, Bont Ddu

Glyn Aran, Dolgellau

Dol Idris (at the foot of Cader Idris)

Abergwynant Woods, Penmaenpool

Arthog

 

Snowdonia National Park Authority Mountain Walks

 

Forestry Commission woods around Bala:

Penllyn Woods

Penllyn: Wenallt, Celyn, Aberhirnant, Penaran

 

Dee Valley Walks (a short drive away)

 

In the Hiraethiog area there are several walks. Including waymarked walks around Lake Brenig (10 miles) and Lake Alwen (8 miles) or combine the two (12 or 15 miles).

Forest Walks: with marked walks, e.g.:

 

Mary Jones Walk (Bible Society) – The 26-mile walk of a 15-year-old girl helped inspire the founding of Bible Society. You are invited to follow in her footsteps to support the work of the Bible Society. Information and video on Llanycil Faith Heritage Centre

 

Walking in North Wales - information              Walking North Wales

Self-Guided Walking Holidays

Aran ridge

Crib Goch
When you stay at Abercelyn, all of the following are available at no additional cost:
  • Advice on the best routes, a prepared programme for your stay and route cards
  • Library of guide books and maps
  • Drying room

The following are optional extras:

  • Transport (price depends upon distance)
  • Packed Lunch (£5 each)
  • Guiding (private: £40/half-day; £60/day)

 

Walk through the woods behind Abercelyn

Optional transport by air-conditioned 4x4

Examples of walks

The walks are available to suit most interests. Examples of the categories available are given below:

  • Scenic walks: easy-moderate walks, typically 3-5 hours and ascending up to 2000 ft (600 m)
  • Local and classic high-level walks: strenuous walks typically 6-9 miles, 5-6 hours and ascending up to 3000 ft (900 m)
  • Linear routes with accommodation at Abercelyn Country House (transport to and from Abercelyn Country House is available as an optional extra)
 

Lake Bala from Moel-y-Graig

Mawddach Estuary from Foel Ispri

In addition to the comfortable accommodation provided at Abercelyn the following facilities are available during the holiday:

  • Drying room

  • Adequate heating and hot-water

  • Library of maps and guide-books

  • Advice where to go on free days

  • Packed lunches are freshly prepared and tailored to energetic outdoor activities

  • Adequate parking.

Local Walking Guide Books

Maps and Guide Books are available from the TIC in Bala

The best local guide is “Walks Around Y Bala & Penllyn” by Dave Berry, published by Kittiwake, it includes 20 circular walks of various lengths (available from shops and the Tourist Information Centre in Bala)

The Dee Way by Dave Berry, published by Kittiwake, The Dee Way follows the river Dee along the Welsh or English sides of its estuary, through the historic city of Chester and the stunning Dee Valley to the river’s source in the mountains of southern Snowdonia. It offers a continuous walk of 142 miles, 23 linear walks linked to public transport, a 57 mile estuary walk and a 14 mile upland circuit of Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake).

See also:

Local Walks around Llangollen & The Dee Valley by Dave Berry, published by Kittiwake, twenty circular walks suitable for all abilities through excellent scenery, covers the Corwen-Llangollen-Trevor area

Local Walks around Dolgellau, by Geoff Elliott Published by Kittiwake, fifteen circular walks for all ages and abilities within a 15-minute drive of Dolgellau (Bala to Dolgellau is 30 minutes by car). Precipice and New Precipice walks are highly recommended.

“Walks in and around the Berwyn Mountains” by John Tranter published by Gwasg Carreg Gwalch; the Berwyn mountains are easily accessible from Bala
"Walks around the Berwyn Mountains and the Ceiriog Valley" by Dave Berry, published by Kittiwake, 32 walks around the Berwyn Mountains
"Walks in the Hidden Heart of North Wales" by Dave Berry, published by Kittiwake, 20 walks in the Hiraethog area (Brenig & Alwen lakes) a short drive from Bala

TGO - The Walking & Outdoors Magazine