Best Walks in the Moelwynion
By Dave Roberts
Best Walks in the Moelwynion
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About Best Walks in the Moelwynion
The Moelwynion are a complex set of hills, with Moel Siabod bolted on not just for convenience, but also as it does all feel like one range once you’ve walked them all in one trip. It would be a bit like excluding Tal-y-fan from the Carneddau just because it’s a bit too northern for your tastes.
While Moel Siabod reaches 872m and Moelwyn Mawr 770, most of the terrain in between is low and rough, with numerous tarns and difficult terrain. It’s not quite in the same league as the Rhinogydd, but some sections around Llyn Edno have a roughness about them. Not only that, but there’s plenty of man eating bogs that can be tricky to pass without a bootful!
That’s not to forget the outlying Moelwynion – Manod and Penamnen to the east of Blaenau Ffestiniog. These overlook the Migneint of Central Snowdonia in one direction and the desolation of man’s quarrying in the other. However, the views into Eryri are still impressive.
Moel Siabod Via Daear Ddu. This noble mountain gets it’s very own post – All the Routes up Moel Siabod, but there’s little doubt that the Daear Ddu scramble is the best of the lot.
Llyn Edno From Nant Gwynant – The central bit is a bit rough, to say the least. The rough peak of Moel Meirch provides a viewpoint of Snowdon that’s only rivalled by the lower peak of Carnedd y Cribau. This route starts off low, along Llyn Gwynant before ascending an ancient track to Bwlch Ehediad / Y Rhediad. Turning right here, towards Moel Meirch and Llyn Edno, finds you in boggy ground that’s ‘interesting’ at the very least.
Cnicht From Gelli Iago – More often ascended via the ‘tourist’ path from Croesor, this is a wilder walk with an optional extension across to Allt Fawr and Ysgafell Wen.
Croesor Circuit – Moelwynion and Cnicht – This is the classic route in these hills and isn’t the second most popular route on Mud and Routes for nothing. However, not being slaves to tradition at Mud and Routes, we did it in the less usual counter-clockwise direction. Mainly as we wanted to wild camp and get most of the walking done on the first day. In either direction, this is a Snowdonia Classic!
Beddgelert to Capel Curig Backpack – This bags a few of the same peaks as above (Cnicht, Ysgafell Wen, Allt Fawr), while linking these two villages together. After these peaks, the route crosses the A470 and over the real outlier of the range – Moel Penamnen. At 30km, this one’s either a wild camp or a tough outing. We also walked up Moel Penamnen on this route from Dolwyddelan.
Dolwyddelan Circuit – While we’re on the subject of Dolwyddelan, this is a cracking route that can be walked from the Conwy Valley railway line. This covers the same peaks as mentioned above, but in a satisfying circuit that’s perfect for a wild camp.
Across the Moelwynion – Finally, the entire range from Maentwrog in the south, to Capel Curig. At 35km, this is a serious undertaking, or a decent weekend out with a tent!
With the remainder of our best walks to be found below.