Foel Fras, Carnedd Llewelyn & Gledrffordd
1 SH743692
From car park walk southwest to a gate with a track between walls. Cross an old leat after 200m and go ahead over a ladder-stile. Continue for 2.3km, via three gates, cross a broad grassy area below Craig Cefn Coch and descend to a sheepfold next to Afon Ddu.
2 SH718680
Go over a ladder-stile, jump the stream and fork right over another ladder-stile. Veer right for 750m, gradually uphill and north of a large, concentric sheepfold. Go over another ladder-stile at the next fence and turn right to follow it steeply uphill to its junction with another fence on the broad ridge east of Foel-fras. Turn left, and keep going ahead to cross a ladder stile over the fence. Continue west, with a wall on the left, to reach rocky ground and the trig point on top of Foel-fras.
3 SH696681
Leave the summit by walking south for 500m, past the end of the wall, and continue south-west on a wide path to the stony top of Carnedd Gwenllian (formerly Carnedd Uchaf) with views into the hidden lake below the jagged ridge of Yr Elen. Now head south to slightly lower ground and follow the path to the top of Foel Grach. Just north of the summit, halfcamouflaged among the rocks, a solid well-roofed stone shelter could be used to brew up or check the map away from the wind. The path continues south for 1.5km, over Gwaun y Garnedd and with the dark crags above Ffynnon Llyffant on the left, to reach the summit of Carnedd Llewelyn. The highest point (1064m), at the south-east corner of a plateau, is marked by a cairn and provides striking views south over Bwlch Cyfryw-drum and the cliffs falling north from Carnedd Dafydd.
4 SH683643
Now retrace your steps for 750m by walking north to descend back in the direction of Gwaun y Garnedd and fork right on an indistinct path leading north-east and initially contouring at around 920m. Head east after 500m, past the headwaters of a couple of streams, and walk over pathless moor to the tussocky plateau of Gledrffordd, beyond which (and hidden from
view) lie the crags of Craig Eigiau and the Llyn Eigiau reservoir. Turn northeast along a broad peat-ridden ridge – though patches of gravel and dry ground allow good progress – and aim for a distinctive rocky band (SH713654). Walk ahead, with rocks on the right, to meet a new fence and follow this downhill to a wall. Continue over rough bouldery ground (no path) to a good track and turn right. Pass through two gates with ladder-stiles and then fork left (again, no path) as the track bends to the right.
5 SH720668
Walk north-east for 700m towards a small dam with nearby building, cross Afon Dulyn (the top of the dam can be used if necessary), cross adjacent Afon Ddu and then cross a ladder-stile. Turn right for 400m to another ladder-stile in the wall on the right. Go over and then cross a small metal footbridge.
6 SH720677
Follow faint path across the enclosure, after which gates and ladder-stiles lead on to the evocative farm ruins at Ffrith-ybont and Tan-y-bwlch. Soon afterwards the path meets the track used at the start of the walk and the car park is now just 750m away.