Meirionnydd Ramblers’ undertake the Fairbourne circuit on Sunday, 30 January, with a 10.30am start and meet at Morfa Mawddach Station (map ref SH628141). No booking required

The seaside resort of Fairbourne lies at the very end of the Mawddach Estuary.

The land on which it stands was originally salt marshes and slightly higher grazing fields, against a backdrop of low, wooded hills.

The building of a sea wall enabled the development of the town towards the end of the 19th century. It is a quiet little town without the noise and bustle of its neighbour, Barmouth, on the other side of the estuary but with plenty of attractions for those looking for a peaceful holiday.

Today’s walk explores the marshy flats alongside the estuary, the town itself and the area around it, an ideal venue for a winter walk.

Sadly, Fairbourne has been identified as unsustainable to defend against rising sea levels and, despite protests from local residents, is unlikely to survive beyond the middle of the century.

Contact leader Derek on 01341 281075 for this six-mile moderate walk.

Their second walk on Tuesday, 1 February is a figure of eight following Afon y Glyn to Ynys.

This walk has been rescheduled from December 2021; booking priority will be given to those who had booked for the original date.

The walk explores two different aspects of the countryside north of Harlech, a quiet valley through low hills and the flat lands of the coastal plain.

We begin by crossing fields and walking alongside Afon y Glyn to Glan-y-wern and then follow the deep wooded valley of the Afon y Glyn to Llandecwyn Isaf.

A short stretch of road (punctuated by a detour through some woodland) takes us to Soar and from there through fields back to Glan-y-wern.

We continue to follow Afon y Glyn to our lunch stop looking across the Dwyryd Estuary to Portmeirion. After lunch we walk along the estuary turning off it to visit the interesting church of Llanfihangel y Traethau (St Michael of the Beaches) at Ynys before returning to the start of the walk.

Call leader Carol on 01766 780351 for this 7.5-mile moderate walk.

Then there is another walk on Thursday, 3 February, the Cefn Coch gold mines with no booking required.

The hills to the north of the Mawddach Estuary are rich in minerals and were once the site of a number of gold mines.

One of these, the Cefn Coch gold mine, will be visited on today’s walk.

We start from Llanelltyd, following the old Monks Path up the Mawddach valley then breaking out on to more level path across the hillside.

On reaching the remains of the long-disused gold mines, we turn to climb up past the levels, reaching a high point of some 1,200 feet.

A steep descent though woodland is followed by easy tracks and paths towards Foel Ispri, with an option to visit the top (depending on weather conditions and timing) before returning to Llanelltyd via Llyn Tan-y-graig.

This is a circular walk and starts at 9:30am. Start Place: SNPA car park Llanelltyd, near entrance to Cymer Abbey.

Contact: leader Jacky on: 01654 761561, 07929 062412.