Conwy Mountain, Allt Wen & Maen Esgob
1 SH759768
From the car park, next to a junction and just within the National Park boundary, walk back along the road towards Conwy for 750m and take the track on the left (signed ‘no vehicles’). This runs between hedges, crosses a stream and continues north to the foot of Conwy Mountain, where you are free to wander across Open Access land. Turn right on a track, with trees on the right, and fork left uphill after 200m to join a wide path running along the crest of the bumpy ridge. There are many grassy rides amid the patches of heather and bracken and great views down to the castle and river beyond.
2 SH768778
Turn left to follow the path as it climbs west to the top of the ridge. The stone ramparts of an Iron Age hill-fort (Castell Caer Seion) can be seen near the summit and remains of the walled enclosure contain numerous hut circles. Former quarries dot the steep slopes to the north but it’s worth walking out to a couple of promontories for expansive views over the sea to Anglesey and the Great Orme. Continue west and descend to a junction where several paths and tracks meet and fork right on a track, heading north-northwest towards an isolated walled field with small plantation. Walk around the eastern side and then veer left to the unmarked top of Penmaen-bach, from where there are more glorious views out to sea.
3 SH748780
Descend south from the top towards the farm at Pen-pyra and follow tracks to cross steppingstones over the nearby stream. Go west over open moor for 450m to the top of Allt Wen, where another ruined hill-fort is hidden in the heather. A path drops east to meet the farm access track and passes low cliffs to reach the road at the top of Sychnant Pass.
4 SH749770
Cross the road, pass through a wooden gate in the wall and follow the track with tall trees on the right. Fork right after 150m, over a grass shoulder, and join a path (waymarked North Wales Path) which zig-zags uphill to a wall with gate and stile. Leave the main track and fork south on a bridleway, rising over higher ground, to reach another wall, with gate and stile, after 500m. Turn left and walk south-east for 250m to the cairn on top of Moel Esgob.
5 SH748759
Walk north-east to join a good track which descends past the rocky knoll at Craigyfedwen and meets a junction of tracks to the south of the marshy pools at Gwern Engen. Continue north-east on a narrow path through heather, follow the crest of rocky cliffs on the east side of Cogwrn and drop down to the car park.