Walk 3074 - printer friendly version

Mynydd Sygun Walk

Author - Peter Smyly

Length - 4.5 miles / 7.3 km

Ascent - 865 feet / 262 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference SH587481
Lat 53.011504 + Long -4.1075646
Postcode LL55 4YJ (approx. location only)

This is a relatively short Snowdonia (Eryri) walk which may appeal to visitors to the Beddgelert area who are not looking to climb the higher peaks or to those looking for a walk to occupy a couple of hours or so only. Mynydd Sygun is a minor top which occupies the skyline to the south-east of the Welsh village of Beddgelert. In good visibility, it offers excellent views of some of the better-known Welsh mountains including the Moel Hebog group, the Nantlle Ridge, Yr Aran, the Snowdon Horseshoe, Cnicht and the Moelwyns.

From the centre of Beddgelert, follow the A498 main road out of the village to the north east and cross a bridge over the river on the right.  On the other side of the river, pass through a wooden gate on the left that leads to a paved path that passes between rhododendrons alongside the Afon Glaslyn (river). On emerging through a kissing gate with another bridge on the left, take a lane on the right with a sign saying "Sat Nav Error" on a tree to the right. Follow the country lane ahead past a house on the right and a camp site on the left. Another half a mile further on leads to the Sygun Copper Mine and a signed public footpath leads off to the right just before it. The path leads uphill through rocks and heather as the views of the Moel Hebog group in particular appear to the west. Take the right path at a fork and shortly after this point, the skyline is reached, revealing Cnicht and the Moelwyns ahead beyond a series of foothills and the Cwm Bychan valley. Follow the path along the ridge to the top, marked by a small cairn.

The descent route offers confirmation that it is better to do the route in a clockwise direction as it enables the walker to have a fine view looking down on Beddgelert ahead, but also the path is very steep in the latter stages with some parts of it requiring a bit of clambering over rocky sections which are more easily managed going down than up. At the right time of year, there are blossoming rhododendrons and bluebells on the way down to lend colour to the foreground. The path emerges on a secondary road and the centre of the village of Beddgelert is just a few minutes walk away.

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