Snowdonia Wales Disused Railway Walk - Mawddach Trail

Snowdonia Wales Disused - Railway Walk - Mawddach Trail - Dolgellau to Barmouth Junction (Morfa Mawddach). We take a walk down one of the most scenic disused railway lines that I know of - the former Cambrian Railways Dolgelley Branch from Dolgellau to Barmouth, via Barmouth Junction taking in some of the most beautiful views in Snowdonia North Wales. This later became part of the Great Western Railway but faced closure as part of the Beeching cut. The railway in Dolgellau is well and truly lost. With little to no trace of the railway in the town apart from the site of the station as a main road. We do see however an old weigh bridge which was linked to the railway. As we leave the town, we can join the former trackbed heading alongside the River Mawddach. From here the route is excellently kept and accessible, with many features still present. From old bridges, signal box, station, telegraph poles, and an old signal post. After a few miles walking through a tree lined cutting, we emerge at Penmaenpool. A former station, hotel and signal box by the river next to a small toll bridge. This would be the last place to cross the river by car, before the river opens out into the Mawddach Estuary. You can also stop for a bite to each and a drink at the George III hotel, which sits alongside the tracked. A great spot with great views. We continue along the railway as it begins to hug the side of the estuary in a spectacular style. What a great journey this must have been for the travellers heading for the coast. As the estuary opens out, the scenery gets even more special and we wind our way over bridges, past rows of old telegraph poles, old railway huts and picnic tables. We eventually reach the former Arthog station as the line temporarily ventures inland to begin it's approach to Barmouth Bridge. The end of our journey today is the current station of Morfa Mawddach. Now a single platform request stop, but at one time a busy junction with four platforms. We can see remains of the old platforms from the closed side of the station. These days, we can take advantage of the free car park and toilets. From here you can either walk over the stunning Barmouth Bridge (also known as Barmouth Viaduct) into the town, or hop on a train for the short train ride over the bridge. **Link to Barmouth Bridge sunset walk -    • Barmouth Railway Bridge Wales - Sunset Walk