Walk 3052 - printer friendly version

Yr Elen & Carnedd Dafydd from Gerlan Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 9.0 miles / 14.6 km

Ascent - 3680 feet / 1115 metres

Grade - hard

Start - OS grid reference SH637660
Lat 53.173603 + Long -4.040688
Postcode LL57 3UB (approx. location only)

This round in the northern Carneddau includes some sections where good navigational skills are required as there is no obvious path. Apart from the section along the main Carneddau ridge, you will see few other walkers.

The start is a small lay-by (Grid ref. SH637660) at the end of the lane running south-east from the village of Gerlan, which is located to the east above Bethesda. Should this space be full then further limited parking can be found further back towards Gerlan adding about a mile to the distance. After parking cross the bridge over the Afon Lafar to take the signed right of way heading past the water works and along its southern bank towards the Carneddau.

You climb steadily with the view ahead, including the northern flanks of the Carneddau, with Yr Elen clearly in view. You reach 'open country' (Grid ref. SH648654) where you continue on the path with the Afon Lafar to your left. Continue on the clear valley path with the dramatic crags of Ysgolion Duon rising ahead. Reaching a confluence of streams (Approx. grid ref. SH664640), find a suitable place to cross and continue east over rough terrain to reach the base of the western slopes of Yr Elen. Turn north and climb steadily across the face. Do not head straight up instead aim to reach the northwest ridge of Yr Elen just east of Foel Ganol (Grid ref. SH670654). From here turn south east up the ridge towards the summit cairn choosing the easiest line through crags, grass and rocks.

With the hard work over, leave Yr Elen on the clear path to Carnedd Llewelyn. This route omits the latter peak (which adds about 500 feet of ascent and half a mile to the route as described.) Once across the connecting col bear right, and contour across the slope to join the main path descending from Carnedd Llewelyn. Turning south continue on the main ridge path to Carnedd Dafydd with the crags of Ysgolion Duon dropping away to your right.

Leave the summit of Carnedd Dafydd in a northwesterly direction to join a narrow but well defined path that descends along a line of crags that drop east towards the Afon Lafar below and to your right. The path is mostly over grass and the going good. You soon join the outward route (Grid ref. SH651652) which is retraced back to the start.

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