Villages of Hiraethog

In a nutshell. Open spaces and open skies, lakes, moors and forests.

The main draw here is Mynydd Hiraethog itself. This sparsely populated upland expanse of heather moorland and forest, overseen by big skies, has a unique and haunting quality.

Cerrigydrudion is one of the main settlements and a good base for touring this area. The village was a popular stopping place along the ‘new’ A5 in the 18th century, but now you may hear the sound of racing cutting through the agricultural landscape. It’s home to Glan y Gors go kart racetrack, a British Championship circuit and extremely popular as a day out.

Nearby Pentrefoelas is also the start point for many walks to Mynydd Hiraethog, although some may prefer to wait in the village with a cup of tea and something delicious from The Riverside Chocolate House and Tearoom! Drop in to look at the magnificent stained glass windows in the parish church. One of them contains a tiny strawberry and the challenge is to find it. The site once served as church to Ysbyty Ifan, where the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem established a sanctuary for travelling pilgrims. Unfortunately – as it had the power of sanctuary – it became a refuge for bandits and outlaws during the 15th century, causing much trouble for the surrounding towns and villages.

Llanfihangel on the banks of the River Alwen has been a place for rest and refreshment for centuries, for pilgrims, drovers and travellers who passed through the village. The Crown Inn is a grade II listed Welsh Drovers Inn, and was a favourite of William Wordsworth, who penned ‘The Vale of Meditation’ in honour of the landscape he so enjoyed. Famous inhabitants include William Salesbury, a staunch royalist who built a farmhouse on the outskirts of town in 1655, and Owain Jones, who wrote ‘The Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales’ in 1801, which is kept in the British Museum.

Most travellers who venture into Hiraethog inevitably make for Llyn Brenig. The reservoir and its smaller neighbour Llyn Alwen are packed with leisure facilities for walking, cycling, mountain biking, fishing, sailing and birdwatching. There’s an excellent visitor centre at Llyn Brenig too, a good starting point for a deeper appreciation of Hiraethog’s rich heritage and history, which stretches back to prehistoric times. Enjoy a warming drink, homemade cake or a hearty meal in the waterside café with a panoramic view of the lake and surroundings.

For more cycling, mountain biking and walking (plus horse riding, picnicking and red squirrel spotting) head for the nearby Clocaenog Forest, home to a wide range of wildlife.

The southernmost village in Conwy County is Llangwm, a hamlet that offers some lovely self catering cottages, from which to explore the walking, cycling and wildlife of Mynydd Hiraethog. Maybe also bring a telescope; as there is very little light pollution in this remote area, the skies put on a spectacular lightshow on a clear night.

This quiet haven has not been without its drama. Between 1886 and 1890, the Tithe Wars raged in North Wales. Welsh farmers became increasingly bitter towards the required tithe payment to the Anglican Church – a church that they neither attended nor supported. Tensions became so high that in 1887 an enforced sale of land and goods to collect the tithe in Llangwm turned into an angry and violent riot, which resulted in 31 protestors being taken to court.

For more information on what to see and where to go around Mynydd Hiraethog see the Elwy Valley Villages.

Find accommodation in Hiraethog and find out what's on when you plan to visit.

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Llyn Brenig Reservoir & Visitor Centre

Address

Alwen, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
01490 389227

llynbrenig@dwrcymru.com

Cerrigydrudion

Llyn Brenig is located at the heart of the Mynydd Hiraethog and is a centre for outdoor activities, including walking, cycling, fishing and sailing.
Llyn Alwen 11.5k & Canicross 2024

Address

Alwen Visitor Centre car park, Llyn Brenig, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
07769 958671

info@bespokefitnessandevents.co.uk

Cerrigydrudion

From the Alwen Visitor Centre car park situated close to Llyn Brenig, this run provides the perfect venue for trail running.
Tough at the Top Cycle Route

Address

Bod Petryal Picnic Site, Corwen, Conwy, LL21 9PR

Corwen

This tough route - as the name suggests - at 57 km long and with a climb of almost 1500m is challenging even for the fittest rider (graded red). The scenery and the long, exhilarating singletrack descent at the end make it all worthwhile though.
Llyn Alwen 11.5k & Canicross 2025

Address

Alwen Visitor Centre car park, Llyn Brenig, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
07769 958671

info@bespokefitnessandevents.co.uk

Cerrigydrudion

From the Alwen Visitor Centre car park situated close to Llyn Brenig, this run provides the perfect venue for trail running.
Fishing at Llyn Aled

Address

Llyn Aled, Pentrefoelas, Conwy

Telephone
01490 389222

Pentrefoelas

Located high on the Hiraethog moors, this bleak, but beautiful location at 250ft above sea level can be breezy, but provides good coarse fishing for perch, pike and roach.
Hiraethog Trail

Address

Pentrefoelas, Conwy, LL24 0LD

Pentrefoelas

This interesting and scenic trail links the Hiraethog villages of Pentrefoelas, Cerrigydrudion, Llanfihangel Glyn Myfr and Llanrhaeadr via public footpaths, quiet lanes and country roads.
The Two Lake Tour

Address

Llanfihangel GM, Conwy, LL21 9UR

Llanfihangel GM

This biking route (49km, climb 943m) runs from the village of Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr through the Clocaenog Forest up to the Alwen Reservoir and on to Llyn Brenig via forest roads.
Sir Henry Jones Museum Open Days 2024

Address

Sir Henry Jones Museum, Y Cwm, Llangernyw, Abergele, Conwy, LL22 8PR

Abergele

What was Welsh rural life like in the Victorian era? Visit the childhood home of Welsh philosopher Sir Henry Jones!
Up to the Lake Cycle Route

Address

Cyffylliog, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL15 2ED

Cerrigydrudion

A fairly long mountain bike route of 42 km, Up to the Lake is ideal for beginners and intermediates, and for those who prefer something which challenges stamina but is not too taxing technically.
Llangernyw History Festival

Address

Sir Henry Jones Museum & Ysgol Bro Cernyw, Y Cwm, Llangernyw, Conwy, LL22 8PR

Telephone
01492 574628

shirley.williams1@conwy.gov.uk

Llangernyw

Join us at the Llangernyw History Festival where we will have a host of re-enactors from different periods in history who will be in costume and will bring a huge handling collection with them to show.
The Brenig Trail

Address

Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre, Alwen, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
01490 389222

llynbrenig@dwrcymru.com

Cerrigydrudion

The Brenig Trail circumnavigates Llyn Brenig through forest and along the shoreline of the lake. The route is suitable for both family cycling and for walking at 9.5 miles (15 km) long.
Brenig Archaeological Trail - A Walk Through Time - Long Route

Address

Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre, Alwen, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
01490 389222

Cerrigydrudion

Two trails around Llyn Brenig which take the walker past some of the most interesting aspects of this ancient landscape. This route to the north-east of Llyn Brenig is about 2 miles long.
Clocaenog Forest

Address

Clocaenog, Corwen, Conwy

Corwen

Clocaenog Forest lies at the heart of the Mynydd Hiraethog and covers 6,000 hectares (15,000 acres). It is home to one of the last remaining populations of red squirrel in Wales, and an ideal location for family cycling, walking and horse riding.
Halloween Trail at Llyn Brenig

Address

Llyn Brenig, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
01490 389222

llynbrenig@dwrcymru.com

Cerrigydrudion

This Halloween Trail is the perfect way to enjoy spooky craft activities and solve exciting clues.
National Garden Scheme: Glog Ddu, Llangernyw

Address

Glog Ddu, Llangernyw, Abergele, Conwy, LL22 8PS

Abergele

The two acre garden has been developed over the past 23 years and some areas are now reaching maturity.
Poppy Launch by the Royal British Legion Riders Branch in Cerrigydrudion

Address

Cerrigydrudion War Memorial, Junction of Llan Brenig and Llanfihangel Road, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9SP

Telephone
07720 611334

northwales@riders-mail.com

Cerrigydrudion

On the 27th October 2024 the motorcycle branch of the Royal British Legion, the Riders Branch (RBLR) will be motorcycling across North Wales laying wreathes to launch the poppy appeal.
Bod Petryal Biking Route

Address

Bod Petryal Picnic Site, Clocaenog Forest, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy

Cerrigydrudion

This route meanders through the Clocaenog Forest and at 3.5km long (total climb 60m), it's the perfect route for families and beginners.
Pentrefoelas Walks

Address

Pentrefoelas, Conwy, LL24 0HT

Telephone
01492 575290

cg.cs@conwy.gov.uk

Pentrefoelas

Five circular walks or varying lengths from the village of Pentrefoelas, a fine example of an estate village taking its name from Foel-las, a nearby small hill, once the site of a simple medieval castle.
The Sir Henry Jones Museum

Address

Y Cwm, Llangernyw, Abergele, Conwy, LL22 8PR

Telephone
01745 860630

syrhenryjones@hotmail.com

Abergele

The museum is the childhood home of Sir Henry Jones (1852-1922) who, from humble origins, became an eminent Professor of Moral Philosophy at Glasgow University and a major influence on the education system in Wales.
Fishing at Alwen Reservoir

Address

Alwen, Cerrigydrudion, Corwen, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
01490 389222

llyn.brenig@dwrcymru.com

Corwen

Alwen Reservoir is a peaceful setting with many sheltered tree-lined bays. The waters are stocked with rainbow trout, but there also plenty of perch. An ideal venue for beginners.