It owes its origins to several separate narrow gauge railway initiatives
during the 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily to serve local
slate quarries. In 1922 the Welsh Highland Railway was formed from the
merger of two companies and work began to construct missing links, which
enabled the opening of the railway between Dinas, just south of
Caernarfon, to Porthmadog in 1923. It faced difficulties from the
beginning. The slate industry was in decline and passenger traffic was
competing with new road transport. The Ffestiniog Railway took over its
management in 1934 but by 1937 all traffic had ceased. Most of the
railway was dismantled during World War II.
However the trackbed remained and there began a long and controversial
campaign to restore the railway and extend it to Caernarfon. Eventually
the Ffestiniog Railway Company took responsibility for the restoration
and the line was completed in 2011.
This book provides the opportunity to explore on foot the stunning
scenery and history of the varied landscape the railway passes through.
It offers 32 circular or linear walks from or between stations, which
can be combined with a train ride. The routes, which range from a simple
riverside stroll to an exhilarating mountain ridge walk, follow public
rights of way, permissive paths or cross Open Access land. They include
L´n Gwyrfai and L´n Eifion recreational trails, and the former Bryngwyn
Branch railway line.
There are walks along the coast, around the fortified walled town of
Caernarfon, a World Heritage Site, and the former slate port of
Porthmadog. Others take you through the beautiful Aberglaslyn Pass,
hidden upland valleys and woodland, past old slate quarries and across
foothills offering great views, including Snowdon itself. Many walks are
never far from the railway, sometimes alongside it, offering great
views of the steam trains. Use the timetable to plan your walks.
A ride on a heritage steam railway and a great walk always makes a splendid day out!
