Having had a good night sleep in campervan at Bird Rock Campsite LL36 9TN and had breakfast we set off at 8.30am for Dolgellau about 7 miles away.
As the walk today the Mawddach Trail is 9.5 miles (15km) and time to get a bus back was estimated at over 5 hours the car park was not an option with a maximum parking time of 3 hours.
I drove out of town a quarter of a mile and parked in a safe place and walked back to the car park at the North of Dolgellau where the walk starts at 9am.
The Mawddach Trail footpath walk and cycle route winds for 9.5 miles along the disused railway track on the southern edge of the spectacular Mawddach estuary.
The almost exclusively traffic-free route, which is owned by the Snowdonia National Park, is clearly marked and was easy to follow. it is essentially flat and for most of its length is at least 3m wide and as such it is suitable for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users.
Starting at Dolgellau the walk can be joined at Pont y Wernddu, Penmaenpool/Taicynhaeaf, Arthog and Morth Mawddach finishing at Barmouth.
During the 3 hours 45 minute walk with a stop for a packed lunch there were stunning views accross Diffwys and the Rhinogs, and up the estuary to Y Garn and the Arans.
Much of the estuary is listed as a site of special scientific interest with two RSPB reserves (Taicynhaeaf and Anthog), and a host of historical sites to ponder over as we made our way through this beautiful landscape.
After reaching Barmouth we spent time at the harbour watching holiday makers fishing then had lunch in a cafe before catching the 2.30 T3 bus back to Dolgellau costing £4.20.
