I walked this route Dolgellau to Tywyn using local bus services at either end (Lloyds Coaches)the route is as direct as it can be I think.Leaving Dol one is soon on clearly way marked sections (lanes/tracks/paths)taking one to Tan-y-Fedw eventually coming to a lane,and on to join the pony path,and after several miles reaching Abergynolwyn.Castell-y-bere shortly before one reaches Abergynolwyn is interesting to visit.Abergynolwyn has a tea room open till 3pm Tuesday to Sunday a pub The Railway Tavern currently closed but planning to reopen soon reasonably close is Abergynolwyn Station(Talyllyn Railway)no shops.Leaving Abergynolwyn insure the stream that joins the Dysynni river is on the right(this section is lacking clear way marking) However one. is rewarded with wonderful views.One then joins a very minor road to Bryncrug(Sustrans cycle network route 8)which is safe and almost traffic free.Passing Bird Rock and onto Bryncrug.From Bryncrug toTywyn is again a recognized cycle route some sections are close to a rather busy road some behind a hedge but it’s wide and safe to walk.I found no issues with access or obstructions,public transport links are better at Tywyn (rail and bus)both of which I have used. This is a hilly route in some parts but easy to follow....

J w ollid

This doesn't really need another review, but in case you still need convincing......

porcovolente

No sooner have we left Dolgellau and we start walking on unpaved roads, heading uphill. Eventually we leave the road, and travel up private drives and tracks past a couple of farms, which becomes a short footpath through a wooded area. Past the entrance to the Torrent Walk, we head uphill along another unpaved road, but this is a very quiet one, and we soon leave and head down a greentrack between fields. From there, over the tracks, and once more up through fields and down tracks, with a short unpaved section of road, but this section can be busy at times. Past Llangower, we head uphill through a moor, before crossing a road and heading through the field beyond....

Hiking Historian

What already promised to be a long and arduous route was made even more difficult by a section that, on the ground, does not correspond to what's on the ground at all....

Hiking Historian

The majority of the route follows the line of the old Great Western railway, and the path is a good metalled earth and stone attractively following the river Mawddach closely from the crossing at the mouth of the estuary (don't forget some change for the toll) right down into Dolgellau, with a good mix of woodland and open sections, with great views across the river and saltmarsh....

Hiking Historian

Straightforward flat route with great views of the Mawddach estuary which follows the National Cycle Route 8 and so is well signposted. Can be busy with cyclists on a good weekend day. Mostly an old railway line, so only one short road section getting out of Barmouth....

David Cooper

Highlights: mudlarking along the way, epic views, the brilliant bridge, lunch and shelter at the George right on the trail, the well-provisioned Dol playground in evening sunshine, the lovely massive TH Roberts cake emporium, the going on holiday without a car, packing light, picnics, giant firm cumulus, stopping at exactly low tide and walking right across to the north side of the estuary on sand expanses, eastertime green hazes of new buds, a pint of shandy, everyone's delight that it went well, and the cracking open of my long incarceration. Downsides: main road out of Barmouth to the bridge is hairy - sheer rock, pavement narrower than the bike trailer in places, cars and caravans and lorries and buses taking the bends too fast and one or two having to mount the pavement....

Hannah

Just head for a large estuary crossing railway bridge either at the beginning or end of your journey in Barmouth.....

Rhys Jones

Barmouth has good bus services from Dolgellau. Once you have left Barmouth, there are public toilets near Morfa Mawddach station (although at time of writing these were closed for repairs) and at Penmaenpool Bridge - almost 10km apart! Whilst there is wooden picnic seating along the way, there were no refreshments available between Barmouth and Penmaenpool Bridge (The George Inn). The footpath does have a steepish ascent which can become narrow leading up to a point you cross the busy road to join the decent towards the very impressive Barmouth rail bridge. The wooden pathway over the bridge was very treacherous underfoot with ice - especially on the Barmouth side where the path was in the shade. Over the bridge, the path bears North East to follow the Mawddach Trail following the old train line (closed in 1965) towards Dolgellau....

captainpovey

Basically follows National Cycle Route 8, so you're on quiet backroads most of the time, usually with no pavement but quiet enough for this to be OK....

Joe Downie