Hartra one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Hartra here.

I was talking to the farmer who owns the land in Trawsfynydd and he informed the bridge had been closed for some time. He said there was a very large repair bill and doubted the government would fund it any time soon. He did kindly offer to let me nip across his fields but I stuck to my alternative route to test it out as that has rights of way.

I had to go south down the A road for a couple of hundred yards to pick up with the track the bridge went across to. No issue as there was a footpath along the A road. I will be submitting an alternative route.

Attached photo shows ends of the bridge closed.

Firstly this walk is not for the faint of heart. I would recommend this for experts only.
Duration:
It took me approximately 10 hours to complete. I started at Minffordd station and took the 20min bus ride to Harlech station via the 39. I parked at Minffordd as it is midway between the two points and has good transport links. This walk doesn't take into consideration rerouting and elevation when planning therefore add at least 2 hours to whatever your GPX figure gives you.
Description:
This begins with the highest incline in the world with a guiness world book of records poster that you can take a picture in front of. It starts with an incline of 39.5% and then goes into the woods with a steep consisten contorting incline. The following 5 miles were fine, the 6th mile has a significant incline which took you over the top of the hill once you pass the car park next to the lake. (good view point) i bared off the path slightly to join Craig Ddrwg. This was only a slight detour which added roughly 20mins as it is a local summit. This was a significant climb nevertheless. Following this the walk was flat/decline. I would describe this as mountainous terrain.
Distance:
This is an approximately 11 mile walk once I added in all the detours. There is a very dangerous river crossing that I didn't feel safe doing so I rerouted to the main road and rejoined the trail.I completed this in late october so I would recommend setting aside the whole day or doing it on a summers' day
Dangers:
This is very mountainous terrain with unclear paths and trails, there are several water crossings and river crossings. Once I refused to make, thus, I rerouted. There are stiles, gates, steps, boggy ground, uneven rocky terrain and considerable wooded areas. Experienced walkers would enjoy this as a challenge. Miles 3-7 are out of mobile signal range so gps devices are recommended for safety.

OK, so this route is challenging in the summer and will be even more challenging in wetter months.

At the Trawsfynydd end there is a small access issue (there is no right of way south of Stone Street, so you'll need to go via Cefn Gwyn road), but that's the least of this route's troubles!

We walked most of this route in the summer after a hot and dry period from Trawsfynydd to Harlech. Crawcwellt Marsh was boggy and paths indistinct for 3km or more. The hillsides to the north-west of Llyn Cwm Bychan were so thick with bracken that we decided to descend onto the minor lane to find a new route, but towards Harlech the right of way we attempted to follow evaporated into impenetrable undergrowth (at OS Grid Ref: SH 58821 31165).

There is so much to love about what we walked of this route. Fun bridges, stunning views as you come through the mountain pass and more.

With waterproof boots and when the bracken is either cut back (or not so thick).. it might be a walkable route.. but for hardened walkers who don't mind extended wet marsh and some unpleasant conditions.

I'd walk the route again... but half way through the marsh my partner summed it up by yelling "this is _______ awful!" - and she's a hardened walker.

It would be great if someone checked this route again when the bracken is lower or cut back and shared an alternative/better version.

I also wonder if any one (local?) knows of better options for this Slow Way. I should think there are 2-3 others... including making use of the Cambrian Way, going via Nant Pasgarr (2km north of Moel Ysgyfarnogod) and/or even taking the lane via Bryn Bwbach as an option.

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