January is National Dog Walking Month, an annual ‘holiday’ to encourage dog owners to get out and about with their pooch pals, helping to keep them happy, healthy and active.
We know January can be a dreary time of year, so we put together three winter walking routes for you and your dog to enjoy in North Wales. Whether you want a gentle woodland stroll, or a mountain hike, one of these trails will hopefully inspire you to get outside with your four-legged friend!
Llyn Crafnant – Gwydir Forest Park
Easy/Flat
Nearest Thornley Leisure Park – Maenan Abbey
Fresh mountain air is the perfect pick me up to lift the January blues. If you want a gentle walk to ease you into the New Year, then this stunning circular walk is the perfect choice.
Llyn Crafnant sits in a secluded valley, where the edge of the Gwydyr Forest meets the Carneddau mountains. This 5km circular walk around the lake starts off on a wide forest track, before meandering through native ash woodland to the final section, which follows tarmac road back to the car park.
There are plenty of benches where you can stop and enjoy the views across the lake – so take a flask of hot tea and a couple of biscuits! There are a variety of other trails all waymarked from the car park, including one that is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Conwy Falls – Betws y Coed
Moderate/Steep
Nearest Thornley Leisure Park – Maenan Abbey
The Welsh mountains see a lot of rainfall during the winter months, and this water runs off the hills into the rivers, making waterfalls especially fierce, and quite a sight to behold!
If you are feeling a little lack-lustre during the winter months, why not take revitalising a walk through a magical ancient woodland, to discover the spectacular split-cascade waterfall known locally as Rhaeadr y Graig Lwyd (which translates as Grey Stone Falls).
Starting from the café car park, a gently winding path takes you through the woodland, to a viewing platform where you can take in the magnificent sight of Conwy Falls. It’s a truly invigorating experience – as the water thunders through the rocky gorge, you’ll feel the roaring energy right through your body!
The circular route takes you back up through the forest, to the starting point at Conwy Falls Café, where you can warm up with a hot drink and slice of cake – they’re dog friendly and welcome muddy boots and paws!
Cwm Idwal – Ogwen Valley
Moderate/Rocky Terrain
Nearest Thornley Leisure Parks – Dinlle and Craiglwyd Hall
If you really want to immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of Snowdonia, Cwm Idwal is the perfect spot. Shaped by glaciers during the last ice age, this dramatic bowl-shaped hollow is a haven for wildlife. This site became the first nature reserve in Wales and is home to a variety of rare artic-alpine plants – one of which, Purple Saxifrage, flowers during winter, adding a splash of colour to the rocky landscape.
The path up to the lake is very well maintained but is rocky, so a solid pair of walking boots is a must. Always check the mountain weather forecast before you set out and prepare for the changeable nature of Welsh weather. Dogs must be kept on leads, as there is grazing livestock roaming the land – as well as a colony of feral goats!
Hopefully these suggestions have motivated you to wrap up warm and get outside for a walk with your dog. We’d really love to hear from you if you do try one of these routes, so grab a photo of yourself with your pet pal and tag us on Facebook or Instagram using #escapewithtlp
