Nant Y Gadwen & Porth Ysgo

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The 'Lost World' waterfall at Porth Ysgo this morning: we got there before anyone else and for a brief time had the entire cove to ourselves. The cove and its stony beach is reached by a staircase of one-hundred-and-fifty steps down the steep side of the hill from the Coastal Path above. The waterfall is accessible via a short stepping-stone balancing act from the bottom of the stairs. A more beautiful and tranquil spot is hard to imagine: the cool and peace of the place belying its industrial history: the hills above having been the site of a relatively short-lived manganese mining operation. The two winding-gear sheds and evidence of spoil that flank the footpath down from the road give testimony to an altogether different slant on this stunning corner of Pen Llŷn. A must-see for the mildly adventurous - the slog back up those steps is a test, even for the fit - but oh, so worth it. Go early and spend some time on your own in peaceful contemplation...

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