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Moel Lefn & Moel yr Ogof from Cwm Pennant

Snowdonia/Eryri Walk

Nat Park - Snowdonia - Moel Hebog Nantlle Ridge

County/Area - Gwynedd

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 7.0 miles / 11.4 km    Ascent - 2400 feet / 727 metres

Time - 5 hours 50 minutes    Grade - moderate

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL17Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL17Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 115Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 115Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Moel Lefn & Moel yr Ogof
Click image to visit gallery of 11 images.

Cwm Pennant is wonderful unspoilt and secluded valley in the north-eastern part of the Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park. Once home to extensive slate quarries that were served by a narrow gauge railway, the valley has returned to peace and quiet. To visit the valley of Cwm Pennant, leave the A487 Porthmadog to Caernarfon road at Dolbenmaen (Grid ref. SH504431) and follow the narrow lane as it heads into the valley. Stay on this lane with its gates until you reach the end of the tarmac where there is a small parking area (fee payable to the local farmer at Braich-y-dinas).

After parking follow the waymarked path that leaves the parking area and climb eastwards to reach one of the old mine buildings marked on the OS Maps (Grid ref. SH 544493). From here continue east to reach a further and larger building that is not marked on maps (Grid ref. SH 546493). Go past the building and turn left up an old incline. At the top turn right along the northern shore of a small lake following a narrow and often ill-defined path to the col at the head of Cwm Trwsgl (Grid ref. SH 553497). It has been suggested that an easier route is to stay on the level section of the tramway from the old winding house and then climb the second incline as far as the second level, leaving right along the level to pick up the path into Cwm Trwsgl.

At the Col turn right. Do not cross the wall and enter Beddgelert Forest but the follow the path alongside the wall as it ascends towards the summit of Meol Lefn. The path climbs steadily to reach a crag, which is surmounted via a gully to reach easier ground above. Soon the highest point of the mountain is in view from where many peaks of Snowdonia are visible.

Moel yr Ogof, the next objective) is in view and the onward route descends south to a Col before ascending to the summit rocks. Sharing similar views to Moel Lefn it does benefit from a better prospect of Moel Hebog, the next summit south along the ridge.

Descend south on a clear path to reach Bwlch Meillionen (Grid ref. SH 560475). Go right over the ladder stile at the lowest point of the Col and descend southwest. The path stays on the northern side of the stream as it flows down Cwm Llefrith towards Cwm Pennant. The path is generally easy to follow, although one section across wetter ground is less well-defined. After approximately two kilometres the path reaches the old trackbed of a narrow gauge railway (Grid ref. SH 543466). Turn right along this easy graded route and follow it all the way back to the base of the incline ascended at the beginning of the walk. From here retrace your steps down to the parking area.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2590 Nantlle Ridge Walk from Rhyd Ddu (Route A)moderate6.0 miles
Walk 2797 Yr Aran and Snowdon from Rhyd-Ddumod/hard8.5 miles
Walk 3509 Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu (Route B)mod/hard8.3 miles
Walk 3198 Snowdon via the South Ridge & Rhyd-ddu Pathmod/hard7.5 miles
Walk 1951 Mynydd Mawr from Rhyd-Ddumoderate6.0 miles
Walk 2729 Snowdon by Rhyd-Ddu and Snowdon Ranger Pathsmod/hard7.5 miles
Walk 3117 Garnedd Goch via Cwm Silyn (Two Lakes Walk)moderate6.0 miles
Walk 2150 Llyn Dinas and Cwm Bychan from Beddgelerteasy/mod6.0 miles
Walk 2560 Moel Hebog, Moel yr Ogof & Moel Lefn from Beddgelertmod/hard6.5 miles
Walk 1799 Moel Hebogmoderate5.5 miles

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