Llangower, Is-Afon Cwm Rhyd-wen 29th September 2007

Richard on the open moor section.

The forest challenge!

The view across Llyn Tegid to Arrenig Fawr.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.3 miles; Climb: 1541 ';Time: 4 hours 54 minutes;
Walking Average: 3.7 m.p.h. (This seems a little too high);
Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h. (This is more like it!).
Group: Martyn, Richard, Sylvia and Dave J.

This walk turned out to be a little more challenging than we expected! We started off with low lying clouds and mist depriving us of the distance views and the GPS signals difficult to pick up. The temperature was rather cool at the start, but soon felt warm enough as we started to climb a little. A pleasant path contoured round the edge of a forest before emerging on the hill side of Bryniau Goleu with its fine views across Llyn Tegid. A surprising stretch across more open moor followed (giving some good views of a Brown Hare running up the path). We then reached an area of wood in the process of being cut down and where the first of our route finding difficulties began. The path through the wood disappeared and we had to drop down to a forest road and continue the described walk further up the valley. More problems were to arise as we entered the forest near Ffridd Bach. We turned left on a way-marked path, but we should have gone between the farm buildings before turning left. Forest adventures of a kind never to be repeated , had to be endured. We had to climb over and under and around fallen trees before emerging on a path near the edge of the forest. Again we made the mistake of turning left and heading for open country. We should have turned right to relocate our intended route. The one bonus of making this mistake was to enter the beautiful Cwm Rhyd wen and the sun from then on came out and the distant views became clear. The best views of the day were to be left until we had nearly returned to Llangower. These views were across Llyn Teg to Arrenig Fawr and then towards Bala.

Birds heard and seen today included: Meadow pipit, Stonechat; Carrion crow, Raven, Buzzard, Black grouse (most likely), Ring ousel, Kestrel, Swallow, Robin and Blackbird.

A pleasant pint of Purple Moose's Moel y Guest bitter was quaffed at the Cholomendy Arms.

This is a walk to be repeated, but possible in reverse to see if route finding in the forest section is a little easier to find!