26.3.2019 - Foel Y Geifr 626m, Trwm Y Gwragedd 612m, Foel Goch 612m, Y Groes Fagl 659m, Foel Cedig 667m, Cefn Gwyntog 615m, Stac Rhos 630m and Pen Y Boncyn Trefeilw 646m,
This hike was in what I call the Western Berwyns just north of Lake Vyrnwy in northern Powys. I parked my van on a cutting on a narrow UC road and headed north on the road. Where my trail leaves the road on the left there is also a parking area here. After leaving the road you head steadily uphill NW to the trig point at Foel Y Geifr. Here head north on the broad ridge line to Foel Goch 2.5kms away taking in Trwm Y Gwragedd on the way. All easy enough and not bad going underfoot with reasonably scenic views.
From Foel Goch head NE steeply downhill back to the UC road which you follow north for a few hundred meters before turning right on a track and then left after a few hundred meters at a gate. You are soon in a forest and shortly after you come to a cross roads and you go straight on towards and around Cwm Gwyn Farm. Just keep on this forest track for four kilometres until you come out on the mountainside.
After you come out on the mountain you keep on heading up hill a bit (still on a defined forestry road) but then turn left or north to tick of nearby Groes Y Fagi. I then headed back to the road and veered off left to tick off Cyrniau Nod (not a registered peak). I returned back to the road yet again which actually then continues west over Foel Cedig.
After another km you hang a left or south (no path) and hit a fence shortly after. After the fence you keep heading south for just over a km to Cefn Gwyntog and retrace your steps. There is no path as such and the going is rough tussock grass.
Once back on the road you carry on heading west but have to veer off road twice more to get to Stack Rhos and Pen Y Boncyn Trefeilw. All easy stuff though.
After Trefeilw you simply stick on the track and keep on heading west towards Pen Y Cerrig Duon. Meanwhile the views all along this broad plateau are again okay but nothing spectacular but the road is making the journey really easy.
After about another 3km you end up back on the road where you left it for Foel Goch earlier on and then simply walk back downhill to your parking spot.
Route Summary: Indistinct paths, rough tussock grass (nowhere unduly bad), road and forestry track. The views are rolling scenic hills and forestry. Okay but not spectacular.
Route Statistics: 22.5kms with 925m of elevation gain done in 5hrs 30mins.
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: Foel Cedig
Route overview using ViewRanger.
Car park is adequate.
Trig Point at Foel Y Geifr.
Views of rolling hills.
Much the same everywhere.
Comments