Walk 1453 - Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and the Marchlyn Mawr reservoir

   
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This route takes in three mountains, namely Carnedd y Filiast, Mynydd Perfedd and Elidir Fawr. The route starts at the end of the access road to the Marchlyn Mawr reservoir from Deiniolen (Grid ref. SH604627). The reservoir feeds the Dinorwig Hydro-Electric Power Station which is built inside Elidir Fawr.

Head up through the gate and follow the access road uphill passing the old disused quarry on your right. Continuing on you will pass the Marchlyn Bach lake on your right. Follow the road until it forks (Grid ref. SH615624) and take the left fork.

After approx 100m the start of the path can be seen forking right up to a wooden stile. Continue on over the stile and follow the faint path up towards the shoulder. From the shoulder you can go left to an unnamed summit which looks down towards the Bethesda Quarry or continue right towards Carnedd Y Filiast.. From the shoulder continue up the path over ground which becomes steadily rockier and eventually crossing large boulders to the summit of Carnedd Y Ffiliast (Grid ref. SH620627). There are spectacular views now of the Ogwen Valley, the Carneddau , Tryfan, the Glyders and Snowdon.

From the summit of Carnedd Y Ffiliast continue in a south easterly direction towards a wall with a stile, keeping the cliffs down to Ogwen on your left. Once over the wall follow the faint path towards the flat summit of Mynydd Perfedd.  From here you see Elidir Fawr from its most dramatic side with large cliffs to the side of the summit and a very steep looking approach towards the summit itself.

From the summit shelter of Mynydd Perfedd head west towards the stile over the fence. Once you have crossed the stile take the right fork on the path towards the ridge (Grid ref. SH619615) which divides the summits on Mynydd Perfedd and Elidir Fawr. Follow the path across the rocks of Bwlch Marchlyn towards  the rocky summit of Elidir Fawr whilst keeping the Marchlyn Mawr reservoir below you and to the right.

From the summit shelter of Elidir Fawr continue along the summit ridge for approx 200m and descend down the faint path in the scree towards the summit of Elidir Fach (Grid ref. SH603613). Once on the summit of Elidir Fach walk in a northerly direction towards the Marchlyn Bach reservoir. Keep the cliffs and the steep drop to your right whilst descending along the path until you reach a wall. Follow the wall down towards the Marchlyn Bach reservoir then cross the gate to reach the access road to Marchlyn Mawr reservoir. Follow the road back down to the start of the route.

Suggested Maps

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.

	OS Explorer	1:25,000	Sheet OL17
	OS Landranger	1:50,000	Sheet 115

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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NOTE - all distances are "as the crow flies"