A Berwyns Day Out

As the crow flies the Berwyns are the nearest mountains to Liverpool but despite this, they are relatively unknown and lack the crowds that flock to the big hills of northern Snowdonia.  Although I was well aware of them as they hold are quite a few unticked Nuttalls, my only previous visit was in 2003.

We started from Wales’ highest waterfall – Pistyll Rhaeadr – and after pre-walk refreshments at the falls café we started up the south ridge of Moel Sych.  The main ridge continues to Cadair Berwyn which has only been recognised as the range’s highpoint in recent years and took the title of Denbighshire’s summit from Moel Sych.  After a quick lunch stop, we continued north but turned eastwards towards a ridge rich in summits yet to be visited by me.

the Cadair Berwyn escarpment

Tomle was the first and was quickly followed by Foel Wen, Foel Wen South Top, Mynydd Tarw and the Bridge summit of Rhos.  The Berwyns is an area rich in potential for ticking multiple 2000-foot summits in quick order; I’m looking forward to returning for some productive days out.

Moel Sych, Cadair Berwyn and Tomle from Foel Wen

Before staring the final rise to Mynydd Tarw half of our group dropped down into Cwm Maen Gwynedd to pick up a strategically parked car and drive around to Pistyll Rhaeadr to retrieve the rest of the group’s vehicles.

The rest of us continued along the ridge for the final two summits before heading for the Llidiart-cae-hir junction where we had arranged to be picked up by the drivers.

The walk had covered some continuously straightforward ground but the slapstick moment of the day occurred when one of group’s experienced members went thigh-deep into a bog which was also occupied by the remains of a sheep.  A reminder of the dangers in the hills, and also the value of a spare set of clean clothes in the car boot !

We didn’t have long to wait to be picked up and we retired to The Hand in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog for a welcome pint in front of a warming log fire.