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Carnedd Dafydd & Carnedd Llewellyn from Ogwen Valley

Carnedd Dafydd & Carnedd Llewellyn from Ogwen Valley

Start/Finish

This is not a circular walk but the start and finish are not that far apart, only about 5 km. It is possible to use a Sherpa bus from the finish, where the car is, to the start at Ogwen Cottage, for a cost of about £1. Timetables are freely available from Tourist Offices. Cars can be left at Gwern Isaf campsite (small fee) about 2.5 km E of Llyn Ogwen on A5. There is a bus stop outside the camp site.

Distance/Time

11 km      Approx 6 hours

Peaks

Pen yr Ole Wen, 978 m, SH 655 619.

Carnedd Dafydd, 1044 m, SH 663 630.

Carnedd Llewellyn, 1064 m, SH 683 644.     Ol 17   Yr Wyddfa & Conwy Valley

Introduction

This is a steep ascent of Pen yr Ole Wen from Ogwen Cottage. A little scrambling is involved. Then follows a pleasant ridge walk which ends in a short scrambly descent before finishing on a hydro track. The steep ascent of Pen yr Ole Wen can be avoided by walking around the back of Llyn Ogwen and ascending the gentler E ridge. This also means the bus is not needed.

Route

(1) From Ogwen Cottage, walk W along the A5 for about 100 m to a footpath sign on the right. There is a choice of two paths with the left one being slightly easier. Ascend the steep ridge trying to keep as close to the crest as possible. There is a choice of routes but some involve scrambling, sometimes on vegetated rock. Some of this rock may be loose. Eventually, after three shoulders, emerge on easier ground, to reach the summit cairn of Pen yr Ole Wen, 978 m. Note that the summit has a small cairn whereas the cairn at the start of the plateau is much larger. The summit cairn is close to a precipitous edge to its N which looks into Cwm Lloer.

(2) Follow the rim of Cwm Lloer NW, N then NE on a good path, over stony ground, to reach the large summit cairn of Carnedd Dafydd, 1044 m.

(3) Head E along Cefn Ysgolion Deon above the Black Ladders (the cliffs to the N) to reach Bwlch Cyfrgw drum then ascend the obvious path to the large summit cairn of Carnedd Llewellyn, 1064 m.

(4) Head ESE on a good path (not immediately obvious from the summit) down a well defined and mainly grassy ridge. As the ridge narrows, a step on a rocky ridge has to be scrambled down to reach a col from where an eroded stony path zig zags down to join a tarmac road. Turn left and follow this for about 2 km to the A5. Turn right and walk up A5 for about 200 m to reach the camp site.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 21st April, 2010

 

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