The Berwyn Range. North Wales: Further exploration of North Wales mountain ranges. Started from Parking Lot in Llandrillo. Coming from the west, ascended from the village , into the Berwyn National Nature Reserve, up through Gwern Wynodi to Craig Berwyn (790m). At the crest of Bwich Maen Gwyedd, turned north to the cairn at Cadair Bronwen (785m). Returned south along Craig Berwyn to Cadair Berwyn (North Top - 827m) and Cadair Berwyn (830m). Then descended back to the weston the "Permissive Foot Path" (orange dashes) over Foel Fawr ( ring contour), turning north at the Sheep Dip sheep fold, through a very boggy Cwm Tywyll and back to Llandrillo.
The bulk of the ascent was through moorland type terrain that, after a nights rain, was very wet heather, bilberry, bracken, and tall soft rush. Crossing Gwern Wynodi (Gwern is a minor figure from Welsh history, son of King Matholwych, King of Ireland and Branwen, sister to the King of Britain (King Bran) there was no real trail to follow so I took a bearing to the plantation of Scots Pine in the middle of the moor. This was a long bash through wet moorland terrain. This was also a hand rail of a deep watercourse running to the right (south) of my bearing. On the return descent I found that there was an actual trail nearer the water course, about 30 meters to my right/south (not where the 'Public Right of Way' (green dashs - Bridleway) and path (black dashes) were shown on the map) which was not shown on the map, but would have saved me bashing through wet undergrowth. I had been looking forward to what is supposed to be dramatic views to the east over the significant drop off of Craig Berwyn. The weather report called for morning fog and cloud cover the summits until lifting above the summits by 10:00am. Unfortunately, when I reached Craig Berwyn, and for the walk to Cadair Bronwen and Cadair Berwyn, arriving after 1:00pm, the summit and ridgeline were still covered in cloud. Turning back after my descent I could see that the cloud lifted after 3:00pm.
Total Time: 7 hours; Total Distance: 17.8km; Total Ascent: 1,217m; Average Moving Speed 3.38kmph
Weather: Reviewed weather forecasts from Met Office, MWIS forecast and the regular 'Fleeting View' reports, and XCweather. A review of the Synoptic Charts showed a low pressure moving across the UK with a High Pressure moving in from the Atlantic. Weather was forecast as mild temperatures from 17C in the valley to 12 on summits. Light SW winds, no rain, with clouds on the summits in the morning, lifting by 10:00am.
Navigation Planning: Exploring an entirely new area for me. Started planning with the OS Maps App on my computer to assess and plan the detailed route. Printed the route maps and laminated A4 size maps for the journey to leave at home with my wife, and carried a set (2 map sections) with me. Carried an OS Explorer 255, "Llangollen & Berwyn" 1:25,000 map. Primarily used the laminated maps on the route.
Safety and Risk: I carried my First Aid Kit and my Garmin InReach Mini, and a 4 person emergency shelter. Weather was mild and the ground underfoot was damp but stable. The couple of water crossings were easily crossed at locations where the water was less than ankle deep.
Area :
Berwyn Range
The Berwyn range (Welsh: Y Berwyn or Mynydd y Berwyn) is an isolated and sparsely populated area of moorland located in the north-east of Wales, roughly bounded by Llangollen in the north-east, Corwen in the north-west, Bala in the south-west, and Oswestry in the south-east.
