The Northernmost Rhinogs

The MWIS forecast said “Very warm, beware sunburn.”  It wasn’t wrong!

Parking lower down from the lane end at Afon Eisengrug the walk up the road was a proper warm-up.  But turning off the road on to the track that accessed the high llyns eased the gradient and it was a pleasant stroll to Llyn Eiddew-bach where I enjoyed a welcome break watching a fisherman on the far side enjoying the landscape in a more relaxed way than I.

path under the manganese mines crags

Less than a kilometre’s walk uphill and I turned off on to a fairly level track south-east, past abandoned manganese mines and some attractive crags that looked like they would be worthwhile to climb.  The path was amongst the best single kilometres that I have walked anywhere, with superb views over Tremadoc Bay to the Lleyn Peninsula.

At Llyn Du the path curves around to the left and some easy scrambling leads to the south top of Moel Ysgyfarnogod.  This was the first point of the day from where extensive 360-degree views could be enjoyed and it was a challenge to identify the many mountains that could be seen.

Moel Ysgyfarnogod summit

The way to Moel Ysgyfarnogod looked deceivingly far but not particularly challenging.  I dropped to the low point and started up the steep grassy slope, finding a path that made progress easier.  The summit was topped and an even better panorama opened up.

Foel Penolau from Moel Ysgyfarnogod

A had a good chat with a couple of local lads, agreeing that being here in such good conditions was better than being on what would probably be an overly crowded Snowdon.  We each another well as they headed off downhill and I stayed for a while longer to enjoy the view; the Lleyn Peninsula, Yr Eifl, Portmeirion, the Nantlle ridge, Snowdon, Arenigs Fach & Fawr, Lake Trawsfynydd, Dduallt, Rhobell Fawr, the Aran ridge, the southern Arans, Cadair Idris with its Cyfrwy Arete and finally the bulk of Rhinog Fawr.

Moel Ysgyfarnogod from Foel Penolau

I walked under the crags of Foel Penolau and curved around to the north-west to the south-west top.  The true highpoint is not definitively known as the north-east top appears to be exactly the same height.  Of course I ticked both!

Trawsfynydd from Foel Penolau

big sky over the Arans

Yr Eifl from Foel Penolau

Snowdon from Foel Penolau

I walked off the north-west crags and over the northern crags of Moel Ysgyfarnogod before crossing the higher ground above and to the south of Llyn Dywarchen.  Dropping down to the footpath led back to Llyn Eiddew-bach for a well-deserved breather before the walk under the beating sun back to the car.