23.4.19 - Tarren Y Gesail 667m and Tarrenhendre 634m
Here we go again then another trip to North Wales. There was no set itinerary and I only decided to go to The Dolgellau area at the last moment.
I headed down from the Cross Foxes pub down the stunning Fawnog valley to park in a lay-by just outside Abergynolwyn village.
At the village square I headed south on an UC road and very soon turned off right into the woods on a path that leads up river over a footbridge to Nant Gwernol railway station the last stop of the Talyllyn railway line.
It’s very picturesque and the path continues on a nice defined forest path until it comes out on a forestry track. There is a historic slate tram working on the way.
Anyway...on the track hang a left (SW) and stay on it going on a big left hand loop until just after Tarren Fach (marked on the 1:50 map). Here you leave the forest track (SW again) on a distinct footpath going steeply uphill to a col (a 200m climb). Once there it’s left again (SE) to follow a fence line all the way up to the summit of Tarrenhendre about a km away. You’ve done 5ks and 590m of height gain already, about 1hr 30mins. There’s only a pile of stones here!
From Tarrenhendre you head East and follow a nice undulating ridgeline that follows the edge of Hendre forest to Foel Y Geifr and then drop down into the forest following a fence to the base of Tarren Y Gesail. It’s all pretty distinct and my gpx trail is bang on.
Here you head steeply uphill, about a km and 250 vertical meters (NW) to the TP of TYG. It’s about 5kms between the two summits. The views are great by the way!
From TYG head SW steeply downhill across country to a gap between the two forests on your map. I headed for the fence line as it was easier going.
At this gap you head West for 4-500m until you reach a fence. I crossed over the fence line (wrong, just keep on following it NW hugging the fence until you enter the maze that is the old Bryn Eglwys quarry. There is a distinct narrow trail through here so just follow my gpx track. In summer I would envisage it would be overgrown.
After a km you will come out onto a rough vehicle track that leads onto a tarmac road that brings you back into Abergynolwyn right where you started...viola!
Route Summary: Forest and high moorland. Overall a nice forest start with some quirky sights studded with some middeling mountain scenery.
Route Statistics: All in all a 16.3km hike with 900m of height gain in 5hrs.
GPX files:For gpx files go to the Peakbagger website by following this link and go to the bottom right hand of the page and click ‘Download this GPS track as a GPX file.’
Ascent Entry: Tarren Y Gesail and Tarrenhendre
Route overview via ViewRanger.
Parking just outside the village.
The first footbridge over the river.
Talyllyn railway.
Old tram working. The building above used to house the drum brake cable for the trams.
Nice forest section.
The track leading from the forestry road to the col below Tarrenhendre.
Tarrenhendre ahoy.
Top of Tarrenhendre!
On the way across to Foel Geifir.
Rolling hills of mid Wales.
TP of Tarren Y Gesail.
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