This ascent is actually that found in Ashton’s classic Ridges of Snowdonia (p89) which I followed and assumed to be fine. However, due to an email I’ve received by the landowner I’ve agreed to remove this original ascent as even if it does ascend through access land, it apparently no longer provides access to the ridge of Craig Wen as it passess through enclosed fields. The publisher has been notified of this, so hopefully any further editions will have this corrected.

These are fair points and I can’t be bothered getting into the debate of how pointless it is for the powers that be allocating access land that cannot be accessed (I don’t get paid enough!!) as it surely isn’t then open access land! This only causes confusion and possible conflicts between different user groups. Furthermore, as the first section of the original route that leaves the path is clearly neither on access land or a right of way; arguing about the rights and wrongs of the CROW Act becomes a moot point.

Height Gained 721m	Distance 12km	Time 3 hrs 51 min	Download Route

Distance, Ascent and Time 14km, 800m, 4.5 hours.

OS Map Required Explorer 017, BMC Map, Landranger 115

Difficulties Off path navigation.

Start / End Beddgelert

Facilities Pubs, shops and cafes in Beddgelert. Cafe, toilet Bethania.

Public Transport Sherpa Buses to Beddgelert.

An alternative ascent would be from the National Trust’s Craflwyn Hall via Cwm Bleiddiaid direct or up to the bwlch at SH612 504 and follow the wall up to the summit. The map at this link provides the details of the route. Either set off path at 5 or follow the fence up before you reach point 6. It is off path and needs good navigational skills, so take care. There’s old mining activity in Cwm Bleiddiaid, so it’s not recommended unless you know otherwise. I’ve descended this a few times and it’s a great route along a truly hidden part of Snowdonia.

From the summit you have a great view. Today you could see a grass fire across on Carnedd y Cribau. There is very little shelter on top though, so on a bad day try and lunch on the slopes on the way up or down. The path down the other side is quite steep, and you need to follow this down to a wall, where the path branches off. Left takes you to Bwlch Cwm Llan and an easy to navigate path to Bethania. Right is a grassy ridge, that’s not so obvious. However, there’s more of a path than the map would suggest.

It’s a pleasant walk down, but keep an eye on the path that leads to the old copper mine to the left. It’s not obvious, unless you look down exactly where it is. There is a tiny cairn, butbarely 10 stones! It’s also quite steep, so care is needed. It’s practically a scramble down, but eases off for a while until you arrive at the copper mine. Again, it steepens, quite drastically down a bit of a scree slope before again easing off and following a very easy track down to the Watkin Path. You will need to turn left though, and not follow the old tramline as it takes you over a dangerously steep incline.

The Watkin Path is easy, no explanation needed. Just keep an eye out for the waterfalls to the left and the incline to the right that you’ve managed to avoid. Once on the main road, turn right and past the café that was thankfully open today. Continue for a short distance, and turn left across a bridge on the first junction. Cross the bridge, and turn right towards the farm, Llyndy Isaf. Continue through the farmyard, and follow the path along the shore of Llyn Dinas.

This is as straightforward as it gets, so continue to the end of the lake, and past a footbridge keeping to the same side of the river. You pass Sygyn Copper mine, and after a short stretch on a minor road (passing a centre for Search and Rescue dogs) you arrive at the path you left this morning. Retrace your steps to the morning’s starting point and have a pint for your efforts.

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