Aberllefenni is a very very remote village midway between Machynlleth and Dolgellau.
The village is dominated by slate workings. There's a public footpath and a track that lead through the spoil heaps. Very easy explore.
There are four separate sets of workings up the valley leading NW from the village. I read that it was the last quarry in N Wales that quarried slate underground, closing in the early 2000s. There's some fantastic pictures on Mine Explorer. http://www.mine-explorer.co.uk/mines/Aberllefenni_7/Aberllefenni.asp
The slate dressing plant in Aberllefenni is still active - I think. Looked a bit closed while we were there.
http://www.wincilate.co.uk/
There were five sets of levels either side of the valley. As access is so easy, the owners were continually having problems with unauthorised explores so they blocked all those at the lower levels. Some of the old adits are easily identified by streams and draughts of cold air. I think some of the higher ones remain open.
It wasn't a great day when we were there and we had the place to ourselves. One of the quietest places i've ever been. Nothing but the mewing of buzzards, the tinkling of running water and the crunch of boots on broken slates.
This was the mine office. Needs a bit of a face lift
View across the valley to the largest adit - called 'Gala'
at the end of the rails was the last entrance to close. The building beside it is now used to make paper from sheep sh*t
Winding gear. there was a similar construction on the opposite side of the valley
This building was further up the valley - midway between two further sets of workings on opposite sides of the valley. Substantial well built two storey structure
Close up of the entrance at the lower level. Not sure whether this was an old mine entrance or some sort of processing plant
back down at the bottom of the valley, this cutting wheel had beem used to cover a hole
the slate works were originally water powered. this controlled the sluice leading to the mill race. The water still used for dampening dust in the mill
The slate dressing mill
more stuff here
http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/borntobemild/aberllefenni/
The village is dominated by slate workings. There's a public footpath and a track that lead through the spoil heaps. Very easy explore.
There are four separate sets of workings up the valley leading NW from the village. I read that it was the last quarry in N Wales that quarried slate underground, closing in the early 2000s. There's some fantastic pictures on Mine Explorer. http://www.mine-explorer.co.uk/mines/Aberllefenni_7/Aberllefenni.asp
The slate dressing plant in Aberllefenni is still active - I think. Looked a bit closed while we were there.
http://www.wincilate.co.uk/
There were five sets of levels either side of the valley. As access is so easy, the owners were continually having problems with unauthorised explores so they blocked all those at the lower levels. Some of the old adits are easily identified by streams and draughts of cold air. I think some of the higher ones remain open.
It wasn't a great day when we were there and we had the place to ourselves. One of the quietest places i've ever been. Nothing but the mewing of buzzards, the tinkling of running water and the crunch of boots on broken slates.
This was the mine office. Needs a bit of a face lift
View across the valley to the largest adit - called 'Gala'
at the end of the rails was the last entrance to close. The building beside it is now used to make paper from sheep sh*t
Winding gear. there was a similar construction on the opposite side of the valley
This building was further up the valley - midway between two further sets of workings on opposite sides of the valley. Substantial well built two storey structure
Close up of the entrance at the lower level. Not sure whether this was an old mine entrance or some sort of processing plant
back down at the bottom of the valley, this cutting wheel had beem used to cover a hole
the slate works were originally water powered. this controlled the sluice leading to the mill race. The water still used for dampening dust in the mill
The slate dressing mill
more stuff here
http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/borntobemild/aberllefenni/