Llyn yr Adar to Capel Curig
SH654478 Ensure 1 your wild camping leaves no trace. You’re heading for the skyline, to the north-east of Llyn yr Adar and the bumpy ridgeline of Ysgafell Wen (white shelf – there’s a lot of quartz in the rocks up there!). In poor weather, aim for the small lakes, using Llynnau’r Cwn as a catching feature. Once connected with the high ground on the ridgeline, follow this to descend towards the lip of Llyn Edno as it (nearly) laps the fenceline.
2 SH664499 From Llyn Edno, continue north for 250m until you can break north-east towards the bulky Moel Mierch (hill of the stallions/horses).
It’s worth a detour to clamber among the boulders to gain some height and perspective above what can sometimes be quite soggy ground! Pick a line of least resistance down from the summit, heading back towards the ridge/ fenceline for a vague path or pick around the best areas to keep your feet dry, heading for the classic Moelwynion rocky lumps of Cerrig Cochion (red rocks) at 550m. Then a gradual, heathery descent will drop you down to Bwlch y Rhediad. You might want to take on some food here for the next ascent.
SH666523 Onwards 3 following a boundary again at times, with rocky outcrops and heathery grass giving interest all the way. Views to Yr Wyddfa’s massif to the west are compelling. The next high point is Carnedd y Cribau (ridge of cairns), where a good view of Moel Siabod is seen. Descend carefully down steeper
slabs of rocks towards a marked dog leg in the route at Bwlch Rhiw’r Ychen (pass of the hill of the oxen).
4 SH676542 Take the second stile you see to stay on the north of fences. Ascend drier, grassy slopes to Moel Gid at 733m – not steep but continuous! Meet a stile at 765m (SH699546) and cross to head for an interesting rocky knoll at 800m. Scramble over this and on to the more rocky, boulder strewn hillside approaching the summit of Moel Siabod. This is a less travelled way to Siabod’s summit. You can often emerge beside this rocky top and see many more people than you’ve seen all day! This is your final high point – so look south back to the rest of your route. Rewarding.
SH705546 From 5 Moel Siabod’s fine summit vantage point, descend boulders and grass to a flattening at 800m. A rough path is visible at times. You can choose to investigate Moel Siabod’s northerly, rockier ridge to about 700m height, or save this for another outing on ascent. For the direct descent, bear northnorth-east down Moel Siabod’s northerly, grassy flanks. Steep at times, but an obvious path takes a quick line. Enjoy the views over Capel Curig and on Glyder Fach and Y Foel Goch ahead. Descend to a stile into a (recent, now felled) forestry area.
SH712565 A clear, 6 but rocky path descends through forestry land, now felled and a little messy at times. After 1km, emerge onto a forest track and choose a descent path into native woodland. At SH716574 you can make a choice to continue descending directly north towards the Plas y Brenin site (with bar and food) on the other side of Llynnau Mymbyr, or descend east-northeast via a path by an old wall, towards a forestry track at Bryn-engan. Here, a good forestry track leads back to Capel Curig and car parking at Moel Siabod Café. Take a left at SH725575 to ensure you meet the road.
You can grab a brew and a slab of cake if you’ve timed it right!