Nantlle Valley: Mynydd Graig Goch to Tal y Mignedd
DAY 2 1
SH498484 Leaving the summit of Mynydd Graig Goch, head north-west, descending via grassy slopes and patches of heather. Stick to the path above Craig Cwm Dulyn, which soon turns and descends to a stile over a fence, with views of the reservoir below. Cross the stile and continue downhill to pick up the reservoir access track. Turn right to cross the footbridge and then follow the path alongside a stone wall. Turn left along the rutted track to reach a minor road.
2
SH490504 Follow the road and then turn right to go through a small wooden gate at a fingerpost onto a footpath. Follow the track and go through a metal gate. As the track peters out, continue ahead onto a grassy path and cross a stile over the wall. Continue along the track to pick up the restricted byway, which is marked by a fingerpost. Go through a metal gate and continue ahead. Turn left onto the lane.
3
SH490512 Turn right and go through a gate marked Fron Oleu. Follow the track which bears round to the left. Turn right to pass between some farm buildings. Go through a gate on the left to pass a big green metal barn. Turn left to follow the wall. Cross a stile over the wall and cross a little stream to walk between the wall and the fence. Carefully step over the low barbed wire fence and turn right at the fingerpost. Cross another ladder stile. Turn left onto the path and follow the wall downhill to go through a rusty hand gate and continue dropping down to the quarry. Turn right onto the track through the quarry and go through a metal kissing gate and turn left onto the track. Go through another metal gate.
4
SH490520 Turn right through a metal gate marked by a fingerpost. Follow the wall and head up some slate steps and turn right along the path and go through a wooden gate. Follow the track over a stream and turn left. Go through a metal gate and walk through the field. Go through two more metal gates until you arrive on a track. Turn left and go through another metal gate, following the track downhill.
5
SH493522 At a junction in the track, turn right. Ignore the track that goes up to the left and continue on the broad grassy path downhill. Pick your way between the pile of slate chips and the quarry walls. Walk through the quarry workings and head down towards the road. Go over a stile to emerge onto the road and turn right. There’s a broad grass verge on the left side of the road that you can walk along. Follow the road as it bends to the left and look out for a footpath on the right. Turn right onto the path and follow the waymarks for the Snowdonia Slate Trail, passing through a series of gates that are all waymarked and follow the track alongside the lake.
6
SH520528 At the end of the lake, as the track bears left, continue ahead across the field towards a gate. Cross a stile into the next field. Cross another stile and go over a footbridge over a river, and through a metal gate. Go through two wooden gates and follow the track which passes through Tal Y Mignedd Isaf campsite. After pitching your tent you may want to walk into Nantlle, where there’s a terrific coffee roastery and café, Poblado Coffi. Or, if you’ve still got plenty in your legs, leave most of your kit at the campsite and trot up Mynydd Mawr on the other side of the valley.