Hillwalking in Snowdonia

Guidebook covers nearly 70 hillwalking routes throughout Snowdonia in Wales, including the central areas of the Carneddau, Glyders and Snowdon, as well as outlying areas of the Moelwyns, Eifionydd, Rhinogs, Arenigs and Cader Idris. A very full coverage of the high mountain walking routes.

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3.2 Pen yr Ole Wen from Tal y Llyn

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Summary:
A delightful and unjustifiably neglected route up the bounding ridge of a secluded cwm. Includes a short easy scramble.

Duration:
2.5km and 675m height gain – allow 2hrs plus descent time (1hr by this route).

Terrain:
Mostly good paths over grass and heather, plus a short rock scramble. Muddy at the start.

Approach:
From Capel Curig or Bethesda along the A5. Park on the roadside near the bridge at Glan Dena (GR: 668 605).

Ascent:
Follow the track across the bridge, passing the Hotel de Glan Dena (a modest wooden hut in days gone by), towards Tal y Llyn farm. Turn right just before entering the farm and cross the wall by a ladder stile. Continue directly up the hillside and cross the stream to follow its west bank. Leave it where the angle eases near the entrance to Cwm Lloer and head for the rock spur which defines the left side of the cwm. Climb it by a short gully and continue up a winding path near the crest to the summit.

Variant (a):
Follow the stream into Cwm Lloer and pass the lake on its south side. Avoid the rocks of Craig Lloer at the head of the cwm by zig-zagging steeply up an intermittent path on the scree and grass hillside to its right. The route emerges at a shallow col on the ridge between Pen yr Ole Wen and Carnedd Dafydd. Turn left to reach the summit.

Descent:
Most of the route is easy to follow in descent (refer to ascent notes). However, the scrambling section can be difficult to locate from above (take care not to veer onto crags on the north side of the spur). The upper section of the variant can look intimidating in descent – it is best avoided if unsure.

Alternative Descents:
(1) Usually down the south spur via the first part of 3.1 – unpleasantly loose and steep. (2) If this does not appeal then return by the same route, or through Cwm Lloer by the variant. (3) Alternatively, continue by 3.6 for a full circuit of the southern ridges.