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Pensychnant to Llanfairfechan Trail Run

By Dave Roberts   

on August 14, 2014    No ratings yet.

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Low Level and Easier Walks in Snowdonia, Snowdonia National Park, Wales

Pensychnant to Llanfairfechan Trail Run

Route Essentials

Route Summary

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

14.77 km

Ascent

382 m

Time

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Difficulty

Moderate Walk, Trail or Fell Runs

Hazards

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Pensychnant to Llanfairfechan Trail Run Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Pensychnant to Llanfairfechan Trail Run

The hills of the far north Carneddau provide good walking along solid paths and tracks, and so are perfect for those trail runs where you don’t want to be fighting the terrain every other step. This run, also a perfectly good walk, takes you from the Sychnant Pass, around Tal y Fan and through Bwlch Y Ddeufaen to Llanfairfechan.

You could easily extend the route into a loop by returning either via the Wales Coastal Path or the North Wales Path.

The Route

1 The route starts off at the Pensychnant Car Park above Capelulo, or you could easily set off from there. I didn’t as there was more than enough ascent planned already! There’s a gate on the right hand side of the road as you come from Capelulo that takes you onto the North Wales Path.

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2 Follow the route along a wall for a short distance (couple 100m) before the path junctions sharply to your right and begins to climb steadily. You can follow the route markers for the NWP or the bridleway, they all lead the same place.

3 You’ll cross a wall at SH747 761, where the path descends into a shallow valley. Follow the track up the valley to your left towards Llyn y Wrach which is often dried out in the summer.

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4 Ascend past the lake and you’ll see a wall ahead. Take just about any path you like now to your right as you’ll be mostly following the wall for a good 5km.

5 There are many tracks to choose from initially, but you’ll soon settle on the main track next to the wall that takes a straightforward route to the minor road for Bwlch y Ddeufaen. The only complication is at the fords marked on the map at SH744 735 where you pass through a gap in the wall along with the stream. The path crosses a col, and you’re soon with another wall that does take you to the road. Keep an eye out for numerous megalithic stone circles and standing stones on this section along with some good views into the Conwy valley.

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6 Follow the track right, immediately joining a tarmac road that continues on to the Bwlch y Deufaen carpark, and then onwards as a rough track and Roman road to Bwlch y Ddeufaen.

7 There’s a slight descent as you continue, but the track still somehow keeps climbing to the signposted crossroads at SH693 722 where you take a right for Llanfairfechan.

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8 Finally the route descends, with a waymark for Llanfairfechan Walks leading the way although any of the tracks will get you down if you fancy a gamble! This route skirts Garreg Fawr to its west providing a spectacular view across the Menai Straits, before curving around to a gate in the wall and a final steep descend to a minor road along an old track.

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9 Turn left, and there’s some steps to your right within 100m or so. Turn left at their base, following the road to the Llanfair Arms, across the bridge to your right and then left along the road into the village centre.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

Route Start Location:

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
14.77 km 382 m

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Moderate Walk, Trail or Fell Runs

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

Check out the businesses nearby for more places to stay and drink.

Hazards

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking :

Public Transport:

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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