Welsh Country March-April 2017

©Crown copyright 2017 Ordnance Survey. Media 009/17
Plan your route...
1. Walk up the narrow lane to the left of the village hall and
continue steeply up past signs to Nant Gwernol Station. After
1km, ignore a right turn then take a sharp left. Bear sharp
right when it zigzags again and continue easily up to a forest
gate. Keep ahead on the main forest track, bearing right at
a couple of intersections, and you’ll emerge onto a grassy
hillside beneath Tarren y Gesail. Bear half left and follow
faint paths up onto the ridge, gaining it at an obvious niche.
Now turn right and climb the last few metres to the trig point.
2. Cross the fence and keep the adjoining one to your
left until the ground starts to drop away. Turn right here
and locate a clear path that follows the escarpment edge
steeply down towards the plantation. At the bottom bear
right to walk along the edge of the forestry to a stile. Turn
left over the stile and walk straight up through the forest to
the other side, where another stile gives access to a clear
path that runs along the ridge top.
3. Follow this path south west, keeping the plantation to your
right. You’ll cross Foel y Geifr and climb above the trees to enjoy
some lovely open walking, with great views to your left to Mynydd
Rhyd-galed. Flank the next hump to the left (south) and rejoin
the main track again at Pant Gwyn.
4. Next up is a huge clamber up onto Tarrenhendre, broken
only by a stile along the way. The top is marked by a fence
corner, where you’ll see a cairn to your left although this
isn’t actually the true summit, which is a few metres further
on, to the north-west.
5. From the cairn, keep the fence to your left and drop easily
down onto an ever-narrowing grassy ridge at the head of Cwm
Dolgoch. Stay on this until you can easily get down onto a
clear grassy track below you. Follow this easily down the
south side of the valley to a junction above a few sheepfolds.
Bear right across the brook, and then left to follow the
track downstream. Continue past a path that leads down to
Dolgoch Falls (or pay a visit), and you’ll eventually meet the
railway line at the Quarry Siding Halt. If you’ve timed it right, all you
need to do is wait for the train. Alternatively, it’s a 45 minute walk
along the road.
Words & Pictures: Tom Hutton
16 Mar-Apr17