Get Lost Mountaineering

Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd & Foel-goch from Nant Peris

Start/Finish

Large car park in Nant Peris on A4086 about 4 km SW of Llanberis. Coming from Llanberis, car park is on the right, almost past the village.

Distance/Time

10 km     About 5 – 6 hours

Peaks

Elidir Fawr, 924 m, SH 612 613.

Mynydd Perfedd, c 810 m, SH 623 618.

Foel-goch, c 830 m, SH 628 612.

Introduction

Elidir Fawr is difficult to incorporate into a circular walk which takes in all the other Glyderau but is possible if one starts at Ogwen Cottage. This route, however, ascends Elidir Fawr only using decent tracks and paths which avoid most of the boulder fields on this mountain then continues to easily include two other summits in a pleasant horseshoe. The summit offers views of Snowdon from the north whilst the Carneddau lie to the east across the Ogwen Valley. Interesting views of Tryfan from the west can also be enjoyed. Foel-goch is a fine pointed peak. There is now a hydro track going up the Cwm Dudodyn for some distance which helps with the descent.

Route

(1) From the car park, walk towards Llanberis along the main road, passing the Vaynol Arms pub, then take the first road on the right, NE, just before a chapel, and up the W (left) side of a camp site. Reach a white cottage then go left on the road until just before a farm then right on a path following the stiles until the path/track is reached alongside the Afon Dudowyn. The path crosses the new hydro track but it is signed there. Follow the path until you reach the footbridge, with a handrail, and cross the stream. Follow the obvious path which heads roughly N traversing the side of Elidir Fawr and gradually moving away from the valley bottom. There are a few wet sections but the path is easy to follow and is generally following a straight course. Higher up, the path starts to zig-zag through a boulder field. The summit is now close. The path avoids the worst of the boulder field until it peters out about 50 m S of the summit leaving a short rough section to the large shelter cairn which is the summit of Elidir Fawr, 924 m.

(2) From the summit, head ENE. As on the ascent, there is a good path once clear of the summit area which leads to the Bwlch y Marchlyn – a narrow rocky arête over looking the Marchlyn Mawr reservoir to the N. There is an easier path below on the right but the arete is reasonably straightforward in dry and calm conditions. If on the lower, path, leave it when it swings E and rejoin the crest, usually by a short steep “gully”. Otherwise, stay on the crest if possible. Continue up the other side. The narrow crest soon broadens out and it becomes an easy walk. There is a stile over a new fence and soon after the cairn is reached which is the summit of Mynydd Perfedd, c 810 m.

(3) Recross the fence and follow it down to the col between Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-Goch to rejoin the main path. When this starts to traverse below Foel-goch, Leave it and follow a fainter path which zig-zags up the steep slope to reach a fence over which is the summit cairn of Foel-goch, c 830 m.

(4) Follow the fence S towards Y Garn but soon leave it to head SSW down a ridge which is ill-defined to start with then becomes more obvious and becomes the Esgair y Ceunant which is the SE side of the Cwm Dudodyn. A wall appears on the crest when it levels out. Stay with the path on the crest and descend the end of the ridge which is moderately steep. Drift right to join the new hydro track and follow this down to the minor road which leads back to the village.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 7^th May, 2016.