New Page 2

MY WALKING WORLD		Y LLETHR AND DIFFWYS
Home Page	Walking Log

07/05/06 - A few weeks ago I climbed Rhinog Fawr and Rhinog Fach and I intended to complete the whole circuit in one walk but I found the terrain very rough and had to cut short the walk because of lack of time and energy. The remaining summits were left for another day. Today was the day and what a difference in the terrain. Although I was only a mile further south the walking was pleasant with good conditions underfoot and time to absorb the wonderful scenery. The summits climbed were Y Llethr 2480ft,Crib-y-rhiw 2198ft, Diffwys2461ft and Diffwys west top 2106ft. The weather was excellent with good sunny periods all day. The walk started from a small car park (charge £1.00) near Gors Y Gedol Hall which was just off the A496 between Barmouth and Harlech - grid reference 602230 - The weather was excellent and the distance was about 12 miles

After parking the car you go up the bridleway through several gates and I was intrigued by these new signs. The track only went up into the mountains and traffic would have been rare. There were several of the signs in the first few hundred yards and I thought it unnecessary on a bumpy bridleway leading up into the mountains. Maybe the sign was for walkers in case they stumbled while crossing the ramp

Looking up the track towards Y Llethr and Crib-y-rhiw

The east side of Moelfre, the black speck just over half way up near the wall was a farmer rounding his sheep up using a quad bike. In a matter of minutes he went up from the bottom. Certainly saves his legs.

This is the south side of Y Llethr, once up on the moorland its just a case of follow the wall up to the summit. What a contrast with the north side of the mountain which is pictured below

This is the north side of Y Llethr taken on my previous walk of 09/04/06. Much more rugged terrain than the south side

Crib-y-Rhiw taken from the moorland below Y Llethr. The route takes you along the ridge from left to right

The view from the summit of Y Llethr looking north towards Rhinog Fach with Llyn Hywel below. I waited 10 minutes for the cloud to clear and it was a beautiful sight as the cloud lifted

Looking across from the slopes of Y Llethr towards Diffwys with Crib-Y-Rhiw in the foreground. There is some unusual rock strata which dips in the middle on the northern face of the mountain

On the summit of Diffwys looking eastwards. The views southwards over the Mawddach Estuary were superb. A wonderful place to have your lunch

After you leave the summit of Diffwys the walk follows the wall until you reach this spot. The cairn on the right marks the route of the old Dolgellau to Harlech road

Looking up the track of the old road

Looking down the track, It cannot have been easy for travellers on horseback and coach and horses using this road in winter conditions. Thats Rhinog Fach in the distance

Looking towards Moelfre across the valley. The track zigzags down the mountainside and crosses the valley floor over the bridge of Pont-Scethin

The Remembrance stone described below was just lower down the hillside

This stone was halfway down the hillside at the side of the track and although the top half was barely readable and think it said something like

"In remembrance of Jane Haigh who despite being 84 years old and of dim sight and stiff joints loved this walk from Talybont to Penmaenpool - placed there in 1953 by her son Mervyn sometime Bishop of Winchester"

If anyone knows the actual wording please let me know.

A very beautiful place with a superb view over the valley

Near the bridge looking back up the track, this was a section that had been paved many years ago

The Pont-Scethin Bridge. Just wide enough for a coach and horses. A frequent resting place I should imagine on the journey between the two towns

Back up on the main bridleway, the track to the Pont-Scethin Bridge forks of here to the right

A last look up the valley with Diffwys on the right.

A superb walk which I will have to do again

Return to Walking Log