Easy hikes and walks around Glantwymyn

Little Italy - This has to be the most amazing place I’ve ever seen to date on a hike. Unfortunately in disrepair though. A hidden gem engulfed in the ancient welsh jungle and its greenery has revealed even more of its fascinating secrets and an the amount of incredible mysteries to be left for us to enjoy and explore and uncover the hundreds of ornate Mediterranean-style structures. Volunteers at the site, dubbed the "Little Italy" of southern Eryri , have been astounded by the amount of the number of the 100’s of these miniature of replica Italian buildings built and nestled within a small woodland. That’s now been dubbed as the “Welsh Jungle” Over a quarter of a century Mr Bourne hauled thousands of buckets of water and ballast from the Afon Deri in the valley below to be mixed with concrete to make mortar. A modest Datsun 4x4 and trailer did some of the heavy lifting but, for the final stretch, up through the garden, sheer physical strength was required. The area is dotted with iconic Italian structures ranging from the Duomo of Florence to the Rialto Bridge of Venice. Among the more recent finds are some unexpected elements a miniature Italian and English version of villages, a cat cemetery, and what appears to be a Venetian canal, which may have once carried flowing water. Each discovery further amplifies the admiration and dedication of Jonathan Fell holds and cares for the site's as creators, to honour the man who took over 25 years to build such an impressive site. His name Mark Bourne he and his wife Muriel both together had built. The incredible homage to one of that is an Italian architecture, located on the fringes of the village of Corris, located between Dolgellau and Machynlleth, as a testament to their obsession, perseverance, and creativity. To replica the renowned Italianate village of the Portmeirion village that’s located in Porthmadog.

The Corris Institute is a charming Grade II listed building in the village of Corris. Built in 1911 in the late Medieval vernacular revival style, the Institute serves as a community centre and post office, amongst other things. Source: https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/403579/

A pretty, metal footbridge across the bubbling Afon Deri, which further down the valley flows through Corris.

The binoculars tunnel is something quite unique and can be reached relatively easily if you have good footwear, take care, and don't mind a short scramble. This place is not suitable for small children though.

Almost surreal, what an achievement, it looks like an awful lot of painstaking work and love has gone into the creation of this unique attraction. A steep but short walk uphill from Corris.

Be ready for a good climb

The Binoculars or Y Sbienddrych In Welsh. These tunnels are a notable part of the history to and from the Abercwmeiddaw Slate Quarry. In 1864, an experimental tunnel machine, designed by John Dickinson Brunton, this tunnelling machine was one of the minor few machines to even once exist and that was Worldwide! This tunnelling machine, was powered by a steam engine and was used to bore huge 80m circular tunnel and a failed 10m tunnel that both were drilled deep into the rock. However despite John Dickinson Bruntons efforts in him aiming to revolutionize quarrying. While yes he’d been very successful within these bored tunnels and had success in creating the quarried tunnels, yet the bore machine itself was far, far too difficult to even control and the whole operation was abandoned.

the hills will wear you down and the trails may be blocked but don't let that stop you