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.
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.
Brenig Archaeological Trail - A Walk Through Time - Short Route

Address

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

Telephone
01490 389222

Cerrigydrudion

The shorter of two walks, at just a few hundred metres long introduces some of the fascinating Bronze Age and Stone Age features on the northern western edge of Llyn Brenig.
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.
Llyn Aled

Address

Pentrefoelas, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
01490 389222

llynbrenig@dwrcymru.com

Pentrefoelas

The deep lake of Llyn Aled is located high on the Hiraethog moors. Its bleak setting is beautiful, and the lake itself is one of the best spots for coarse fishing in the area.
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.
Craig Forris Walk

Address

Cae'n y Coed, Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, LL24 0TN

Betws-y-Coed

This moderate/strenuous, circular walk through the Gwydir Forest has fabulous views of the Snowdonia mountains.
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.
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.
Llyn Brenig Sailing Club

Address

Alwen, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9TT

secretary@llynbrenigsc.org.uk

Cerrigydrudion

Llyn Brenig Sailing Club is the highest club in North Wales, at 1200ft above sea level on the Llyn Brenig reservoir.
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.
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.
Fishing at Llyn Brenig

Address

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

Telephone
01490 389222

llyn.brenig@dwrcymru.com

Corwen

Llyn Brenig is known for its beauty and its wide range of outdoor activities, including excellent fly fishing. The 920 acre stillwater lake is stocked with rainbow trout, reared on site.
Hafodunos Hall Artisan Market & Open Day, Abergele

Address

Hafodunos Hall, Llangernyw, Abergele, Conwy, LL22 8TY

Telephone
07495 585757

theartisanmarketcompany@gmail.com

Abergele

Come and explore this historic building and grounds, shop from a wide range of quality artisan crafts and produce.
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.
National Garden Scheme: Hafodunos Hall

Address

Hafodunos Hall, Llangernyw, Abergele, Conwy, LL22 8TY

Abergele

Historic garden undergoing restoration after 30 years of neglect, surrounds a Sir George Gilbert Scott Grade l listed Hall, derelict after arson attack.
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Mynydd Sleddog Adventures Ltd

Address

South Alwen Forest, Bwlch Hafod Einion, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9TE

Telephone
01745 777022

howl@mynyddsleddogadventures.com

Cerrigydrudion

Mynydd Sleddog Adventures is Wales' first and only sled dog attraction offering amazing opportunities for individuals, families and groups to enjoy their very own sled dog adventure.
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.
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.
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.