Most books seems to suggest going round in a clockwise direction, taking the higher Moelwyn Mawr first. However as it and Cnicht across the valley where shrouded in clouds, the best option was to take the lower Moelwyn Bach first in the hope that the cloud base would lift.
The walk therefore started by heading out along the road towards Tan-y-Bwlch, after passing a farm you eventually reach a block of forestry. Here the footpath takes you through the moss covered trees to the open moorland. The footpath actually heads out along the boggy valley but the route up to Moel Bach is best tackled by heading uphill and following is NW shoulder/ridge to the summit.
After admiring the view of distant Portmadog and the ___ estuary, the path descends steeply on the east side overlooking the Lyn Siwlan reservoir. Then from the Bwlch a easy scramble up Craigysgafn gains access to Moelwyn Mawr, which sadly was shrouded in cloud at the time. A brief chance to admire the obscured view and the path then descends on the west side and then skirting around the open wound of the former quarries. The destination being the top of Moel-yr-hydd with views into Blaenau Festiniog below.
Heading across to the quarry building near Llyn Creosor I joined the path down to the large quarry building footprint and track back to the village. This last part being the culmination of a walk I took my sister on nearly a year ago as part of her training for a charity walk in the Grand Canyon. On that occasion the walk was to stretch the muscles after her first ascent of Snowdon the previous day.
This year like last the cafe provided a welcome end point with its refreshments and homemade cakes. A good days walk with some unexpected views. This wasn’t the end of the weekend as i then had another two days in the area as I had to attend a 16-hour outdoor first aid course.
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