DINMAEL TO LLANGYNOG and back
Ride report by Barefoot Cleo (Julia)
Ride date: Saturday 7th October 2006
TOTAL MILES - APPROX 40
Introductions
Jenni riding Sharnina, Arab X Thoroughbred
Lynda riding Loralli, Arab
Tina Riding Reef, Arab
Donna riding Kahilla, Arab
Julia riding Cleo
All horses barefooted
This ride started at 10am. Four of us left Dinmael following quiet winding lanes uphill for half a mile to meet Jenni. Quick introductions, then we were off at a trot down the back roads to the A494 Bala road. When we met the A494 we crossed in a pair and a three to avoid being stuck on the road as it has fast moving traffic and it’s windy. We followed a densely covered uphill bridle path to find ourselves at a loss when it led to nowhere! We risked riding on farmland to get to a farm where we hoped to find directions or sign posts! After a quick search and check of maps the farmer turned up and, although not happy to find five horses and riders on his land, he was very helpful and put us back on track.
We had managed to miss the newly placed bridle gate halfway up the bridle path! Back on track we rode over open farmland up to Braich Ddu. Here we were delayed again as the landowner very politely attempted to stop us gaining access to the mountain. After several map checks and discussions with her she allowed us to pass through the farmyard and up the tracks to join the bridleway to Mynydd Mynyllod.
(It has since been confirmed since that there is a public bridleway through the farm)
We continued on this bridleway until we reached the mast on the hill. The views from here are beautiful yet still sheltered. Here we had to divert onto a footpath due to the bridleway becoming impassable. We rejoined the bridleway at the point where the path crossed further along and followed it down. After passing through a gate onto a track it became quite stony and Cleo (my Welsh Cob) had to have her hoof boots on her front feet, as she has not done much work over stony ground. It was at this point the Lynda and Jenni had to split from the group to help settle Loralli who was becoming upset with being and a large group.
At the end of the stony bridleway we came to a farm, Tyfos, and rejoined the road. Turning right we had a lovely fast trot down this very quiet road and crossed over a pretty bridge to join the Bala to Corwen road. We followed this road to the left. It was a busy, wide road with fast moving traffic that, fortunately, was considerate. We followed it for three quarters of a mile until we reached the unmarked lane on our right. This led up to a farm with a large number of noisy dogs. It did not seem to be a right of way and it was not ideal to wander through a farm. . (Editor’s comment: this is not a right of way) Luckily we re-joined a country lane, turning left and rode to the junction where we turned right. Here we had a great trot up a nice gentle hill. There were some very nice views behind us as we were gaining height.
We passed through a farm with well-marked bridle gates. The men on the farm were very friendly and even helped with the gates. Turning right out of the bridleway onto the road we were greeted with more stunning scenery and this was a good road for a fast trot if you don’t mind trotting downhill! We trotted down to Blaen-y-cwm where we had to get our timing just right to avoid being caught up in a pheasant shoot. The gamekeepers were really friendly and helpful, checking our way would be safe before we forded the river. We walked up the steep stony hill tracks for two miles. Although steep this was a lovely wooded valley that made you feel back with nature!
As we reached the top we came to a set of solid wood gates. They were easy to enough to open and go through to reveal on the other side the most breath-taking scene of open moorland! We were travelling over the top of the Berwyn Range and, with clear skies and light winds; I was at a loss for words to describe how wild and beautiful it was. We followed the winding tracks down to the B4391 meeting only three walkers the whole time. We turned left when we joined the main road followed by a right onto a grassy bridleway. Following the bridleway it went downwards steeply with not much grip and was very slippery. It was too risky to ride down so we walked it.
The scenery in this area is just beyond words so get out there and see it! When we reached more suitable terrain we re-mounted and made our way down the valley. A quick river crossing had us back onto farmland followed by a farm track. This would be a good place for a canter if you wished, as the ground was flat and well covered with grass. We joined onto the road that leads into Llangynog and we had a fast trot all the way as we soaked up out surroundings. Joining back up with Lynda and Jenni at the pub we soon had the horses un-tacked and fed. It was a good five-minute walk from the pub to the field. Our horses had good grazing and running water in a secure field. It only had one abandoned piece of farm machinery in it to concern us but the horses avoided it and settled down quickly.
With the horses needs seen to we arrived back at the pub to find our rooms were warm, clean and spacious (I shared a room with Tina and Donna). Although they were unable to guarantee food, as there was a party that evening it was only a minute walk to the pub opposite where we found a good menu awaited us. A quick bath and refresh then we had our meal. The food was very good with generous portions and very reasonably priced. It was and early night with everyone in bed by 11pm! (Editor’s note: Is that what you call early?!)
Morning brought with it fewer aches and pains than I had expected. Breakfast (included in price) was mad available for us earlier than usual and it was anything you could want for breakfast rather than a set menu. Nothing seemed too much trouble.
A slight delay as we tacked up the horses – my saddlebags had rubbed Cleo’s back causing a swelling. Quick thinking led to sheepskin padding and refitting of the saddlebags to enable us to ride home. We left the Inn at 10am and followed our previous route back to the valley bridleway. Due to the nature of the bridleway we diverted to a track which although just a scenic was much safer. The weather became much warmer and calmer as we crossed back over the moorland, made our way through the solid gates and down the pretty valley to the gamekeeper’s house. From there we trotted all the way back up to Llandrillo village.
It was decided that returning through the village rather than the unmarked lane was a better option. The village was nice and quiet but it was Sunday morning! This route meant we had to follow the B4401 towards Bala for one and a half miles before we could turn right again, back onto the nice country lanes. Just as we turned onto the lane we met the farmer whose land we had trespassed on the previous day. He was friendly and happy to see we had found our way. We trotted to the pretty bridge and stopped for lunch. After a nice relaxing lunch we trotted back up to Tyfos bridleway and made our way up the tracks at a leisurely pace, enjoying the sunshine as we went.
When we reached the top of the bridleway we avoided taking the footpath by following the bridleway straight down eventually arriving at the A494 to Bala road. Here we turned left. It’s a very fast road and has a lot of bikers using it so a horse happy in traffic is essential. A quick trot to the next turning on our right brought us back onto quiet country lanes that we trotted along. The last few miles I had expected to be flagging but, much to my surprise, all horses were happily trotting out with heads up and ears pricked! All riders had grins from ear to ear! The ride back seemed all too short and a week later I am still on an emotional high from the experience. Never had I imagined that I could do such a ride with four riders mounted on their Arab horses and me on my little Welsh Cob! Can’t wait for the next one and neither can she!