Drosgl and Gyrn Wigau from Rachub - Snowdonia Gwynedd - Walk 1315

Nat Park	Snowdonia
County/Area	Gwynedd
Author	Paul Gasson
Length	7.5 miles / 12.2 km
Ascent	2250 feet / 682 metres
Grade	moderate
Start	OS grid reference SH612677 Lat 53.1879367135182 + Long -4.07982003006605 Postcode LL57 3DW (approx. location only)

This is really a walk for good weather conditions, not only for the views which are superb through 360 degrees, but also because it visits probably the least frequented part of the vast Carneddau range, which require first class navigational skills should the clouds descend, as they all too often do! In poor conditions this route can be a serious undertaking!

The village of Rachub is best approached from the cross roads on the A5, just NW of Bethesda (SH612 677). Drive up the hill to the second X roads, in the centre of the village. Turn left here down a narrow and often congested street with speed humps! until you see the recreation ground on your left. Turn right immediately past it and park on the roadside. Walk up the road to Water Street and immediately opposite is a kissing gate and footpath sign marking the start of the walk. Cross the field to rejoin a road, turn left and almost immediately right up the hill. Follow this road past the Tan y Bwlch Centre. The tarmac soon gives way to a grassy track which ends at gate. Go through the gate to the remains of the Moel Faban slate quarry. Now the walk proper begins. Climb the incline immediately on your left to the first level, then leave it left. Follow the broad grassy track, climbing very gently for a little less than half a mile as it traverses the lower slopes of Moel Faban. To the West extensive views over Anglesey and Ynys Seiriol (named after a 6th.century saint who retired there. Legend has it he built a causeway from the island to the mainland) open up, whilst ahead lies the bulk of Llefn. Beyond Llefn the rocky peninsula of Great Orme thrusts out into the sea. The way ahead can be clearly seen as a grassy track climbing more steeply up the shoulder of Moel Faban but the actual branch off right from the main track is easily missed . Follow the path over the shoulder, with a steep drop into the ravine of Bwlch yn Mhwll-le immediately on your left, until you drop down into the broad valley of the Afon Ffrydlas. Turn left on the crossing path, through a short boggy patch and follow the clear path towards the ‘saddle’ between the grassy Llefn on the left and the sharply pointed rocky tor of Gyrn ahead. Feral ponies, believed to be the descendants of retired pit ponies, are often seen hereabouts The path bends sharply right to traverse the Eastern side of Gyrn, passing through the tiny ruins of the Gyrn Slate quarry. As you pass Gyrn the path becomes faint, but continue in the same direction until you meet a crossing path which is wider (and often very boggy, choose a dry period!) at SH 651 687.

Go right here and follow it easily as it climbs the lower slopes of Drosgl, passing through the ruins of a small building. The path becomes a rocky track beyond and soon reaches the ridge (SH659 677) at a cross roads of paths, marked by a small cairn. Turn left here on the clear track heading directly towards the rocky pile of Bera Bach (The small pyramid). When the track reaches its highest point (SH664 678) leave it left and climb the trackless and grassy slope until the huge (and ruined!) summit cairn of Drosgl (SH663 679) is reached. A smaller cairn marks the actual summit now (758mtrs), with a larger wind shelter close by on the North. After admiring the extensive views, either return to the cross roads on the ridge the way you came, or make your way directly towards it.

When you reach the crossroads, continue straight ahead on a narrow, but clear path heading towards the rocky tor of Gyrn Wigau (643mtrs.). All the way along this ridge there are magnificent views of the high Carneddau (Garnedd Uchaf ( the least visited of the Welsh 14 ( or 15!) Peaks, Carnedd Llewelyn, Yr Elen and the secretive hanging valley of Cwm Caseg, where the feral ponies often have their foals,Carnedd Dafydd, the cliffs of the Black Ladders showing up well and, further away to the South West, the Nant Ffrancon Ridge). Either scramble up to the summit of Gyrn Wigau, or pass below it and follow the now faint path as it crosses the ridge between the summit and smaller rocky tor, and then becomes clearer as it heads, fairly steeply, downhill over grass towards the substantial mountain wall ahead. In bad weather this can be a useful ‘handrail’ feature. The path curves right just before the wall, and could be followed back to Bwlch y Mhwll –le, but our route leaves the path left (or follow the wall down) to cross the Afon Ffrydlas just above the point where the mountain wall crosses it, to join a clear path which keeps the wall close by to its left all the way to a gate by a cottage. Go through the gate onto a tarmac road. At a T junction continue straight ahead, and watch for a narrow footpath on the left a little further on that descends the hill to join another tarmac road. Go right here back to your car and reminisce about a glorious day in the solitude of the Carneddau ( hopefully over a pint or two!).

It is recommended you take a map with you when following a walk route. The preferred scale is 1:25000 used by the Explorer series.

Note : If two maps are listed at the same scale then either (a) both are required for full coverage of the route or (b) the route is covered on both maps.

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