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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
Open Doors - Hafodunos Hall, Llangernyw

Address

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

Abergele

This Gothic Revival house was built in the 1860s by Sir George Gilbert Scott.
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.
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.
Sir Henry Jones Museum Halloween Event, Llangernyw

Address

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

Telephone
01492 574628

shirley.williams1@conwy.gov.uk

Llangernyw

Join us at the Sir Henry Jones Museum for a free Halloween art event with artist Wendy Couling.
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.
Shoe Art Event at the Sir Henry Jones Museum, Llangernyw

Address

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

Telephone
01492 574628

shirley.williams1@conwy.gov.uk

Llangernyw

Join us at the Sir Henry Jones Museum for a free event with artist Wendy Couling based on shoes and linked to Sir Henry’s background as a cobbler.
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15 reviews
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.
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.
Howl-o-Ween Husky Hike in Bwlch Hafod Einion Forest

Address

Bwlch Hafod Einion Forest, Nr Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL16 5NS

Telephone
01745 777022

howl@mynyddsleddogadventures.com

Nr Cerrigydrudion

This one off Howl-o-ween event is suitable for anyone who dares enter the forest after dark on Halloween night!
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.
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: 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.
Santa's Magical Christmas Light Trail and Grotto at Llyn Brenig

Address

Llyn Brenig, Cerrigydrudion, Conwy, LL21 9TT

Telephone
01490 389222

llynbrenig@dwrcymru.com

Cerrigydrudion

Create unforgettable Christmas memories at Llyn Brenig.
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.