Walk Number 1

Approx. 3.5 Miles / 2 hours or can be 2 miles / 1 hour

All on hard surfaced country lanes, some moderate slopes.

DOWNLOAD DIRECTIONS AND MAP AS A PDF HERE

*1 Start by crossing the main road towards the car park and follow the lane which runs opposite the Inn towards the river.

*2 Carry on up the hill past Ty Gobaith, a children’s hospice. If you look left you will see the Conwy river, still very tidal at this point and a home to many bird species notably curlew, which can often be heard calling from the mud flats. Buzzards are also common here searching for the thermals overhead. The large house in the trees on the opposite side of the river is Bodnant hall, site of the world famous gardens, a visit is highly recommended, Walk Number 2 available from hotel reception will show you how to walk or drive there.

*3 Turn right into the small lane which runs slightly uphill, this is actually the first right that you come to. As you round the bend look South up the river valley toward the start of the Snowdonia range. The biggest sprawling mountain with a pimple on top is called Drum, pronounced “drim” in Welsh. Further on the right is the mountain Tal y Fan, which can also be seen from the Groes.

*4 Pass the traditional Welsh cottage “Plas Tyn Lwyn”.

*5 As you reach the main road turn right and follow the road uphill, pass the cottage on the left called Pen y Gadir. This property once belonged to the Duke of Wellington as did the Groes Inn. It was rumored that he had a lady friend in this cottage whom he would visit on his way to London from his estate in Anglesey. (The Groes’ original deeds from this time can be seen on the wall upstairs at the Groes.)

*6 After cresting the hill you have a choice, either - continue straight on the main road back to the Groes for the shorter option of this walk, or-

*7 Turn sharp left at the ‘phone box and follow the narrow lane down hill though it’s twists and turns until reaching a T junction. 

*8 Turn right here, and continue to Llangellynin Church, now the ancient art and bronze casting studio of David Chapman RCA. Well worth a visit if David is in! 

*9 As you continue back toward the Groes you may notice a large pile of stones in the field on your left, one of these stones was specially selected and now adorns the Princess Diana memorial garden at Kensington Palace.