Snowdonia
9.1km/5½ miles 4 hours
1
SH794287 From the parking area go through the gate to the right of the house and cross the field to another dwelling. Through the gate a track is followed on a rising traverse of the Allt Lwyd hillside, where views across the valley to the rocky knuckle of Rhobell y Big are particularly fine. The track undulates through twists and turns until descending to a shallow river. This is the infant Afon Mawddach, one of the great rivers of Wales.
2
SH808291 Ford the river (difficult when in spate but a little easier upstream) and continue along the track before going through a gate. You are now on a broad plateau which can be boggy in all but the driest of summers. Ahead rises Dduallt’s north ridge, your route of ascent. By trending left a fence is picked up and followed all the way to the summit where it is crossed beside a small pool. So far the route has been an easy romp and you may wonder if you deserve the incredible views that have been won with relative ease. Don’t worry, the payback lies ahead of you, but first sit back and enjoy yourself. See how many peaks you can name.
3
SH810273 Re-cross the fence and head roughly southwards on a faint path. Before long the fence veers off to the left and its comforting guidance must be forsaken. Now is the time to summon up your hill skills as the path also disappears and it is every man for himself. Traverse a badlands of evil tussocks, sucking bog and hidden rocks with the forest on your right as you descend. After a
difficult kilometre you should find yourself close to the trees and funnelled into a corner formed by the forest and a fence. Cross the stile and turn right for 150m (crossing a gully and stream) until you come to another corner.
4
SH804259 The adventure continues and is not for the faint-hearted! It is now time to head into the dark environs of the forest where a path exists but is often barred by fallen trees necessitating an exploratory approach and a measure of weaving around obstacles. The direction of travel is roughly west but your exit from this gloomy, elf-infested trap depends entirely on your route-finding skills. Eventually you will emerge into the light (with scratched arms and twigs in your hair) where an innocent-looking signpost with ‘Dduallt’ etched upon it tempts walkers travelling in the opposite direction. Turn right along the forestry track and follow it for just over a kilometre where a signed bridleway takes you back into the woods.
5
SH798269 The way ahead is very pleasant and comes as a welcome relief from the uncertainties of the last hour! Ignore the footpath signs on your left and stride out before leaving the forest for the final time and onto a messy clear-felled area where the path is obscured. Go through an old wall and plough on until you meet a gate by a deep stream gully. You’re almost home and dry... Trend leftwards on a contouring descent until your car comes into view then head down on a faint path. You made it!