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A circular walk to the ruins of Castell Carndochan an early 13th century Welsh castle with views of Lake Bala, Aran ridge, Moel Llyfnant and Arenig Fawr. This is a short walk but it is across open and steep moorland in places. The ground can be wet in places and boots are advised. Start at the bridge in Dolhendre (SH853308) where car parking is available for 3 cars. Directions from Bala, take the A494 to Dolgellau, just before Llanuwchllyn, at the 40mph speed limit signs, turn right (to Trawsfynydd) after 2 km you will come to Dolhendre, park next to the phone-box and bridge. Cross the bridge and continue straight over at the cross-roads. There are good views, to the right, of Castell Carndochan situated on the top of rocky crags. Continue ahead through a gate into a field (waymarked) and along a track, after 150m bear left to leave the track, passing a building set in trees on your right, then follow the old field boundary, on your right, uphill to cross a stile. Continue in the same direction across a field, uphill towards a house (Ty Coch), continue past the house (on your right) to follow a vehicle track maintaining the same general direction and going uphill. After passing a wood, on your right, turn right to follow the concrete access road to two cottages situated at the foot of Graig ddu. There are good views of the Aran ridge to the left and Lake Bala to the rear. Go around the cottages, on the right, and climb up a short distance to a path, running behind the cottages. Turn right onto the path and after a short distance cross a stile with an adjacent gate and continue on the path that contours around the hill. There are views of Lake Bala to the right. Continue over the next stile/gate, then go downhill to another stile over a stone wall close to a gate. Cross the stile onto open moorland and follow the path swinging left and uphill. The ruined walls of Castell Carndochan are now clear on the right and the general route is via the main ridge to Castell Carndochan. After around 350m, leave the path to bear right towards a fence while maintaining height and keeping above the bracken. At the fence turn right to pick up a path and follow it a short distance along the fence to an improvised crossing point (no stile) after crossing the fence aim for a rock and the main ridge-line and then the summit while maintaining height. At the summit you will find the ruins of Castell Carndochan (see information note below) and there are good views of Lake Bala with Berwyns in the distance, Aran ridge, Foel-y-Graig, Craig Llestri, Lliw valley, Moel Llyfnant and Arenig Fawr. There is a choice of route for the descent: you could retrace your steps, while the adventurous may try a more direct return - but be aware of the rock faces and thick bracken below; however, the route described below is a compromise avoiding the steepest parts and making a pleasant circular walk. Leave the summit via the main ridge, for a short distance, then locate and follow a faint path to the right and downhill aiming for the forest (Coed Bryn Bras). Follow the path to the top of a fence, which stops in a small gulley, pass the fence and turn right onto an old track, follow the track downhill to a wall then left to pass sheep pens, go through a gate to turn right onto a vehicle track. Follow the track which becomes a tarmac road, with views of Castell Carndochan on your right, to the crossroads (used earlier) then turn left to the start. Information note: Castell Carndochan is a ruined, early 13 th C. Welsh castle and probably previously a roman fort. Among the ruins can be discerned a typically D-shaped southern tower, a northern round tower, and rectangular central buildings, it was probably built by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth. It is situated on an impressive igneous crag near Dolhendre, about two miles west of Llanuwchllyn. This very strong defensive position is guarded by steep crags on three sides, whilst the south western approach is across rough upland, defended by further crags - Craig y Llestri about half a mile away. No doubt there were defences on this hill before the Norman construction obliterated them. The area was certainly of strategic importance in Roman times.
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.
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. Abercelyn Country House, Bala - Llanycil - Gwynedd The Barn at Tyn-Y-Fron, Bala, Llandderfel - Gwynedd Maes Coch, Dolgellau - Gwynedd Plas Isa, Dolgellau - Gwynedd Fron Deg B&B, Maentwrog - Gwynedd The Don, Blaenau Ffestiniog - Gwynedd Bryn Bella Guest House, Betws-y-Coed - Conwy Glan Aber Hotel, Betws-y-Coed - Conwy Bryn Afon Guest House, Betws-y-Coed - Conwy Gwrach Ynys Country Guest House, Harlech - Gwynedd Self Catering Directory Walks & Peaks Bedsearcher Hostelbookers - Hostels in England, Scotland and Wales
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Merrell Chameleon Merrell Boots
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