Day 48 Pant y Cae to Bwlch Llyn Bach
July 1 in Wales ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Wednesday: Up 05:30 away 07:50
Retired 20:30 last night so up very early this morning as a result. Early morning forecast was rain from 07:00 so I got a move on striking and packing camp. Even though I was up before my neighbours, the DoE party of 7 chaps from Bromsgrove school, they were ready to leave before me. I need to work on packing quicker.
Start was a straightforward, but steep, walk up the road to Llynnau Cregennen / Cregennen lakes. Then a very hard hike straight up to the ridge that leads up to Cadiar Idris. Surface was hard, initially a lot of bog, then heavy undergrowth including gorse and billberry. This 2.7 miles took 2:15.
Once on the ridge I was in cloud for much of the day. Only passed by 3 people until I gained the Pony path when the numbers of people increased significantly. Was pleasantly surprised that I was keeping pace with a party of 5 children doing DoE. Chatted to them a few times as we passed each other. Discovered they were also from a school in Bromsgrove, like the chaps camped near ro me this morning.
Top of Cadair was able to perform service as a photographer of a party of 5.
Route down via Mynydd Moel was straightforward and uneventful until I got to the final descent towards Mynydd Gwerngaig. This was an extremely steep descent down a scree covered slope. The Cambrian Way guide had this as one of two routes feom the ridge to bwlch. This is definitely one to keep for ascent. The other route would have been better for descent.
I had been planning to walk the 2 miles down to Minfford but I arrived at the Bwlch about 10 minutes before the bus to Dolgellau. So instead I decided to catch the bus to Dolgellau where there is a campsite I wanted to try and access to a number of pubs. One of which I used to write this blog - Y Meirionnydd.
The Tal-y-Fron campsite on the east edge of town proved to be exceptional. Beautifully mown terraced pitches, laundry, WiFi & smart showers included for £16.
Arrival and departure times from features visited today.
05:30 up
07:50 began walking
10:05 Ridge attained between Craig-y-llyn and Craig-las
11:05 lunch stop
11:30 Pony path attained
13:00 Cadiar Idris summit attained
13:50 Mynydd Moel attained
16:36 Bwlych Llyn Bach attained
16:50 Boarded T2 bus
17:00 Arrived Dolgellau
17:30 Arrived Tal y Fron campsite
9.3 miles with 3290' of ascent from Pant y Cae campsite to Bwlch Llyn Bach completed at end of 48th day of walking.
Total miles so far : 447
Miles in 2026 : 37
Weather : overcast for most of the day with occasional sunny intervals
Number of people passed : 29
Objective tomorrow : Dinas MawddwyRead more