Walk 3117 - printer friendly version

Garnedd Goch via Cwm Silyn (Two Lakes Walk) Walk

Author - Alan Birks

Length - 6.0 miles / 9.8 km

Ascent - 1800 feet / 545 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference SH495510
Lat 53.035044 + Long -4.2459349
Postcode LL54 6RT (approx. location only)

This circular Snowdonia (Eryri) walk is an ascent of Garnedd Goch (700m) via Cwm Silyn, with views of two lakes (Llynnau Cwm Silyn and Cwm Dulyn) as well as towards the Snowdon range, the Nantlle Ridge and the coasts by Caernarfon and Porthmadog. Either of the upward and downward routes can be used as a way off the Nantlle Ridge at the Llanllyfni/Nebo end.

The walk duration is approximately 4 hours excluding Mynydd Graig Goch with route finding straightforward in clear weather. To reach the start from Llanllyfni take Lon Ddwr towards Tan Yr Allt and look for a right turn on to Lon Tyddyn Agnes. Follow this narrow lane to the top of the hill where there is gate on to the mountainside and rough parking used by walkers and climbers. (There is also parking at the Nebo end of the walk.)

From the gate (grid ref. SH495510) follow the broad path towards the lakes below Cwm Silyn. Before the path descends to the lake cross the wall on the right by the stile and turn right towards a fence. Follow this fence up the hillside. Follow the path up the hill towards the cliff edge. The path then follows the curve of the crags at a safe distance. If you find yourself very close to the edge (or very far away) you're probably on a sheep track! The path is easy to follow in good weather, less so in mist, but it always follows the line of the crags. At the top you will come to a wall and a stile leading on to the cairn at the top of Craig Cwm Silyn and beyond that the Nantlle Ridge itself.

From Craig Cwm Silyn there are excellent views towards Snowdon and the Nantlle Ridge in one direction, and Garnedd Goch and Mynydd Graig Goch (Wales' smallest mountain) in the other.

Instead of crossing the stile to climb to the cairn you can turn immediately right and follow the wall towards Garnedd Goch. As you approach the top it's best to abandon the wall and go across the rocks straight to the summit. From there, continue across another stile to begin the steep descent, with Llyn Cwm Dulyn ahead of you. At a marker stone you join another path which goes left to Bwlch Cwmdulyn and right in the direction of Nebo. (If you decide to "bag" Mynydd Graig Goch in passing, it's best to return to this point to descend as there are no obvious paths off the mountain otherwise.)

Follow a series of marker stones across the sometimes wet hillside to reach a long wall. Follow it down to the bottom corner, then set off towards a ruined cottage diagonally on your left. You will soon join a broader track leading left towards another stile.

After crossing the stile, follow the path between two walls to reach the Nebo road. A little way along on the right is a gate on to a bridleway (at Pen y Ffridd cottage) which will bring you back to Lon Tyddyn Agnes. Turn right on the lane to return to the parking area.

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