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Walk up Mynydd y Dref – Conwy Mountain

By Dave Roberts   

on February 3, 2019    4.5/5 (2)

Walk up Mynydd y Dref – Conwy Mountain

Route Essentials

Route Summary

A short walk to the summit of Conwy Mountain – Mynydd y Dref – from the historic town of Conwy. Despite being short and lowly, the paths are rough and the walk feels like a proper hill. You can extend the walk out towards Penmaen Bach hill and Alltwen if you wanted a slightly longer outing.

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

Distance

4.56 km

Ascent

241 m

Time

2 hours

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

Start Location

Mountain Road, Conwy

Difficulty

Easy Moderate Walk

Hazards

Despite being a lowly hill, there are some precipitous drops if you choose to follow some of the narrower paths to the seaward side of the hill.

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. 

Walk up Mynydd y Dref – Conwy Mountain Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Walk up Mynydd y Dref – Conwy Mountain

The lowly summit of Mynydd y Dref, or Conwy Mountain, lies about a stone’s throw from the walled town of Conwy. We’d recommend basing yourself in the town for the day, walking this walk first and then exploring Conwy’s town walls, Conwy Castle and the town itself. While Conwy Castle is surely impressive, there’s also some fortifications on the summit of Mynydd y Dref from earlier times. You can still make out the walls in places, including quite a clear entrance on the summit.

Walk up Mynydd y Dref – Conwy Mountain Route Description

1 Start the walk at SH 774 777 – there’s a small parking area here, but the walk is surely short enough as it is and you can easily walk here from the town. Cross the style at the sign proclaiming “Mynydd y Dref – Conwy Mountain” and follow the wide, well made path uphill. The path sets off at a good pace, and you’ll soon be on the summit ridge.

2 You’ll reach a bench and while the main path continues to contour to the left of the hill, continue to the crest of the hill in order to enjoy views in both directions. There’s a viewpoint here -but take care as there are step drops to the sides.

3 From here, the way ahead is obvious, though which path to take isn’t! A good but narrow path contours high to the right, which provides some excitement as it provides some exposure, especially under slippery and slushy conditions like we encountered today. Alternatively, you can return to the main ridge and follow the main path.

4 The path can the be easily followed to the summit of Mynydd y Dref. While only 244m high, it rises quite steeply from the coast and provides an excellent view in that direction. The mountains of the Carneddau form a formidable wall of high ground in the other direction, no wonder it was fortified. The hill fort is called Castell Caer Seion on the OS Map, though this is a tautological name as Castell and Caer mean practically the same thing. Built in around the 6th Century BC, but abandoned long before the Romans invaded the area. Some remains of the ramparts can still be seen clearly, but the numerous circular huts within the boundary are a little less obvious.

5 The clear path continues for around 700m and it eventually levels out. You’ll spot the old track down to your left that follows a tall wall, you’ll need to head down towards the wall. There are too many paths in this section, and you’ll need to ensure you don’t get stuck in the gorse!

6 Once on the old road, the descent is straightforward. The track is good, if damp in places, and provides year round interest. Ensure you keep descending – don’t get tempted with some of the tracks that lead off left as they’ll take you back onto the hill. The track joins a tarmac trail just before the end, but after descending this soon turns back into a dirt trail.

7 – You’ll soon be back where you started. If you didn’t park here ,then it’s an easy enough walk down to the town.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

A short walk to the summit of Conwy Mountain – Mynydd y Dref – from the historic town of Conwy. Despite being short and lowly, the paths are rough and the walk feels like a proper hill. You can extend the walk out towards Penmaen Bach hill and Alltwen if you wanted a slightly longer outing.

Route Start Location: Mountain Road, Conwy

Distance
Ascent
Time
4.56 km 241 m 2 hours

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

Activivity Type: Easy Moderate Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

You’ll be spoilt for choice for places to eat and drink in Conwy which is one of the places to be in the area. With the traditional Albion the first you’ll pass if walking from the town to the walk, there’s also the Bank of Conwy (craft), Erskine Arms, Bridge Inn, George and Dragon, Ye Olde Mail Coach, Liverpool Arms, Castle Hotel and the Blue Bell.

Hazards

Despite being a lowly hill, there are some precipitous drops if you choose to follow some of the narrower paths to the seaward side of the hill.

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 : LL32 8PU

Limited parking at the start of the walk – SH 774 777.

Public Transport:

Conwy is served by a railway station and is well served by buses from Bangor, Llandudno and Colwyn Bay.

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

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