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Ysbyty Ifan, south of Betws y Coed, is the largest single estate cared for by the National Trust: over 8,000 hectares of high open moorland, river valleys and 51 hill farms. The village was called Dôl Gynwal before the Knights of St John set up a hospital and hostel here for pilgrims bound for Holywell and Bardsey Island. The hostel was abolished in 1540, and the present church of around 1860 keeps effigies from its predecessor, one said to show Rhys ap Maredudd, who carried the Red Dragon standard for Henry Tudor at Bosworth in 1485. The estate reached the Trust in 1951 through the Treasury, which had accepted it in lieu of death duties on Lord Penrhyn's estates. The Trust's Ysbyty Ifan and Cwm Eidda walk climbs an old drovers' road for 6 miles from the village car park, with views to Moel Siabod and the Carneddau. Dogs are welcome on leads, since livestock are almost always about. Parking and public toilets are in the village by the bridge, and paths are uneven, steep and boggy in places.
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Dog friendly
Starts at Ysbyty Ifan car park, grid ref SH842488; 6 miles (9.6km), 3 to 4 hours, moderate difficulty; steep hills, stiles, gates, rough tracks, uneven and boggy ground.
