Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd, Carnedd y Filiast & Foel-goch -
Friday 28 September 2018
Route
Nant Peris - Cwm Dudodyn - Elidir Fawr - Bwlch y Marchlyn - Mynydd Perfedd - Carnedd y Filiast - Carnedd y Filiast North Top - Mynydd Perfedd - Bwlch y Brecan - Foel-goch - Bwlch y Cywion - Esgair y Ceunant - Nant Peris
Parking
Nant Peris Car Park (Charge) - Grid Ref SH607582
Mileage
9.6 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths.
Weather
Generally good with sunny spells. The cloud was down on Elidir Fawr.
Time Taken
7hrs 30mins
Total Ascent
4019ft (1225m)
Map
OL17 - Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa
Nant Peris - Cwm Dudodyn - Elidir Fawr - Bwlch y Marchlyn - Mynydd Perfedd - Carnedd y Filiast - Carnedd y Filiast North Top - Mynydd Perfedd - Bwlch y Brecan - Foel-goch - Bwlch y Cywion - Esgair y Ceunant - Nant Peris
Parking
Nant Peris Car Park (Charge) - Grid Ref SH607582
Mileage
9.6 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths.
Weather
Generally good with sunny spells. The cloud was down on Elidir Fawr.
Time Taken
7hrs 30mins
Total Ascent
4019ft (1225m)
Map
OL17 - Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa
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GPX File
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Walk Description
It is always good to walk in Wales, particularly Snowdonia and today was no exception. The route today was one we had been trying to get out and do for some time. Whilst we had been to Foel-goch before (link here) via The Glyders & Y Garn, we had never visited the mountains west & north of it. In particular, we were keen to climb Elidir Fawr as we had seen it from afar, particularly from Pen yr Ole Wen and therefore itched to climb it from Nant Peris. From the village we would ascend Elidir Fawr via the steep south western flank to then visit Mynydd Perfedd, an out and back to the two Nuttalls on Carnedd y Filiast before another visit to the wonderful summit of Foel-goch. Therefore with the weather looking good a classic walk was on the cards.
The walk started from the large Car Park in Nant Peris, south east along the A4086 from Llanberis. From the Car Park we crossed the road to pick up a farm access track about 400 yards north west of the start. From the farm the route starts climbing immediately and passes through several fields before emerging on to the open mountain side. Continuing to climb, the views started to open out and we could soon see the rocky summit slopes of Elidir Fawr and up the hanging valley of Cwm Dudodyn. It would be fair to say that the ascent of Elidir Fawr is demanding - long and steep but the views more than make up for it, particularly behind you to the Snowdon range.
As we neared the summit our luck ran out with the visibility as we were enveloped in a thick, grey soup - this sometimes happens and is all part of the experience. Therefore our views from the top of Elidir Fawr were non existent although as we made our descent the cloud did clear to reveal the magnificent vista over the Marchlyn Reservoir and our route of descent down Bwlch y Marchlyn. The transit is superb and whilst from above it looks a tad precarious this is not the case. Once in the Bwlch there is a gentle ascent up to the wide and stony summit of Mynydd Perfedd where there are fantastic views over to Pen yr Ole Wen and the Carneddau. The path to the next summit of Carnedd y Filiast can be seen quite clearly making its way north over level ground and it was here we passed the first people we saw today. The summit of Carnedd y Filiast was easily gained via a gently sloping rise over boulders and from the top a superb view opens out down to Bethesda, Anglesey and the Western Carneddau.
From Carnedd y Filiast it is a short descent to bag the Nuttall of North Top and it is worth dropping down the few hundred yards as the effort is worth it for the views on offer, particularly over to the Western Carneddau. Retracing our steps we returned to Mynydd Perfedd via Carnedd y Filiast to begin the delightful walk down over Bwlch y Brecan to Foel-goch. This is a delightful part of the walk which ends with a steep pull up to reach the precipice of Foel-goch's summit from where there are breathtaking views to Pen yr Ole Wen, Tryfan & The Glyders. The route now headed south to follow a fence along Bwlch y Cywion from where we shortly headed south west on pathless ground to join up with a path above Esgair y Ceunant that eventually led us to our outward route from Nant Peris and back to the start. Another cracking day out in Snowdonia.
The walk started from the large Car Park in Nant Peris, south east along the A4086 from Llanberis. From the Car Park we crossed the road to pick up a farm access track about 400 yards north west of the start. From the farm the route starts climbing immediately and passes through several fields before emerging on to the open mountain side. Continuing to climb, the views started to open out and we could soon see the rocky summit slopes of Elidir Fawr and up the hanging valley of Cwm Dudodyn. It would be fair to say that the ascent of Elidir Fawr is demanding - long and steep but the views more than make up for it, particularly behind you to the Snowdon range.
As we neared the summit our luck ran out with the visibility as we were enveloped in a thick, grey soup - this sometimes happens and is all part of the experience. Therefore our views from the top of Elidir Fawr were non existent although as we made our descent the cloud did clear to reveal the magnificent vista over the Marchlyn Reservoir and our route of descent down Bwlch y Marchlyn. The transit is superb and whilst from above it looks a tad precarious this is not the case. Once in the Bwlch there is a gentle ascent up to the wide and stony summit of Mynydd Perfedd where there are fantastic views over to Pen yr Ole Wen and the Carneddau. The path to the next summit of Carnedd y Filiast can be seen quite clearly making its way north over level ground and it was here we passed the first people we saw today. The summit of Carnedd y Filiast was easily gained via a gently sloping rise over boulders and from the top a superb view opens out down to Bethesda, Anglesey and the Western Carneddau.
From Carnedd y Filiast it is a short descent to bag the Nuttall of North Top and it is worth dropping down the few hundred yards as the effort is worth it for the views on offer, particularly over to the Western Carneddau. Retracing our steps we returned to Mynydd Perfedd via Carnedd y Filiast to begin the delightful walk down over Bwlch y Brecan to Foel-goch. This is a delightful part of the walk which ends with a steep pull up to reach the precipice of Foel-goch's summit from where there are breathtaking views to Pen yr Ole Wen, Tryfan & The Glyders. The route now headed south to follow a fence along Bwlch y Cywion from where we shortly headed south west on pathless ground to join up with a path above Esgair y Ceunant that eventually led us to our outward route from Nant Peris and back to the start. Another cracking day out in Snowdonia.
The Car Park at Nant Peris
Slate spoil heaps from Dinorwig Quarry dominate the scene as we leave the Car Park - Elidir Fawr is in cloud ahead
The route heads along a farm access road which leads to the open mountain side
Looking back to Snowdon left with Llechog centre
A closer view of Snowdon and Llechog looking back to Nant Peris
A little further round to the north and Moel Cynghorion, Foel Goch, Foel Gron & Moel Eilio come into view
Fudge pausing for breath on the tough ascent to Elidir Fawr - hopefully that cloud will do one
Cwm Dudodyn
The Snowdon Range from the ascent of Elidir Fawr
Ascending Elidir Fawr - remember to keep looking back or you will miss views like this
An Elidir Fawr panorama
Nearing the summit of Elidir Fawr our luck ran out - here comes the clag
The summit of Elidir Fawr
Descending Elidir Fawr the cloud cleared off thankfully to reveal Marchlyn Mawr Reservoir.
Carnedd y Filiast and the North Top are to the rear
Carnedd y Filiast and the North Top are to the rear
Descending Elidir Fawr over Bwlch y Marchlyn towards Mynydd Perfedd.
Pen yr Ole Wen is in cloud over Bwlch y Brecan with Foel-goch to the right.
Pen yr Ole Wen is in cloud over Bwlch y Brecan with Foel-goch to the right.
A panorama from the descent of Elidir Fawr
Foel-goch with Y Garn to the right
The summit of Mynydd Perfedd looking to Carnedd y Filiast
Looking to Foel-goch from Mynydd Perfedd. Tryfan is to the left with The Glyders in cloud.
Heading for Carnedd y Filiast from Mynydd Perfedd - the two walkers ahead were the first people we saw today.
Elidir Fawr - still in cloud
A panorama to the Carneddau
Near the summit of Carnedd y Filiast
Elidir Fawr over Marchlyn Reservoir from Carnedd y Filiast
The summit of Carnedd y Filiast looking to Moel Wnion, Gyrn Wigau, Drosgl and Llwytmor.
Penrhyn Slate Quarries & Bethesda with Anglesey over the Menai Straits
Heading to the Nuttall of Carnedd y Filiast North Top
Carnedd y Filiast North Top looking to the Western Carneddau
Looking back over to Carnedd Y Filiast from the North Top
Carnedd Llewellyn, Carnedd Dafydd, Pen yr Ole Wen, Tryfan, The Glyders, Foel-goch & Y Garn
Heading over Bwlch y Brecan to Foel-goch
Another lovely panorama from Bwlch y Brecan
This style on Bwlch y Brecan gives access to paths leading down to the old A5 from where Ogwen Cottage can be reached
Elidir Fawr
A panorama from Bwlch y Brecan to Elidir Fawr & Mynydd Perfedd
This has got to be one of my favourite views in Wales.
Yr Llwmllwyd on Foel-goch looking to Tryfan, The Glyders & the Ogwen Valley
Yr Llwmllwyd on Foel-goch looking to Tryfan, The Glyders & the Ogwen Valley
Pen yr Ole Wen
The summit of Foel-goch looking to Mynedd Perfedd & Carnedd y Filiast
A posing pooch on the summit of Foel-goch - what a cracking view that is.
The magnificent Tryfan
The head of Cwm Dudodyn looking to Mynedd Perfedd
A closer look at the slate heaps near Nant Peris
Nearing Nant Peris with that glorious view of Snowdon again