Trip Report: Gwastedyn from Rhayader

Looking east from the summit
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts

It had been a while since I have been out in the hills, work, weather and a series of small bugs have rather got in the way.

So with another cold stopping a trip onto the Drygarn I thought a short circuit of the hill overlooking town was a good bet for a couple of hours out.

Gwastedyn is to Rhayader as Skiddaw is to Keswick. Standing proud above town and within easy reach, so much so that the annual hill race is a feature of carnival week.

The walk from town is an easy circuit of about 1.5 hours if pushed 3 if lazed.

Head off down south street from the clock and keep on past he old toll booth (after first turning) residential home (2nd) and old workhouse no a nice hotel after the third. The path now becomes a roadside verge before turning off at the 2nd right of way sign on the corner.

A track leads up though the wood before bearing off to the left out onto the open hillside as your fence meets others coming up from the farm. The going is easy underfoot cut across the farmland for the next fence on the slope then curve around the headwaters of a small stream that drains the area below the summit.

Keep "climbing" to the ridge fence but don't cross it instead turn right over one more fence that climbs the hillside to the summit cairn and commemorative beacon basket.

The second summit lies a couple of hundred metres away over one good and one not so good fence and a little rough grazing / bracken. Despite this it is worth the visit as it opens up the southern vista far better that the beacon summit.

From there head back to the ridge fence and follow this and a footpath back to the minor road above Gaufron and follow this then the A44 back to Rhayader itself.

Walk past both houses I have owned in town back to the clock tower and your start point.

If you miss the path and drop too early don't panic so long as you are on the Rhayader side head for the track between Bryn Du and Esgair-rhiw and follow this via the latter back to the road taking care to use the gates on the way down


Views of Gwastedyn





Views from Gwastedyn

Trip report: Y Gyrn

Y Gyrn
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

The final leg of the day hardly seems like a real walk more like a 40min stretch of the legs.

Directions couldn't be easier cross the stile keep walking on the track till just before it drops into the valley. Follow a muddy path to your left and keep going to the fence high point is about 50m from the stile.

Retrace get back in the car and move on.

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Trip Report: Fan Fawr

Fan Fawr Trigpoint
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

Second of three brief walks today, having moved the car up to Storey Arms it really is a simple up out and back to get to Fan Fawr. The climb itself offers no real issues though care is needed in bad weather to make sure you don't miss the nondescript summit.

With time to spare I stretched my legs a bit to take in the trig point and the sun and cloud made it worth my while (see above).The final benefit are the two upland geocaches though at time of writing the one near the trigpoint is temporarily disable on account of my finding it doing a swimming pool impersonation.

More photos from today

Trip report : Fan Frynach

Towards Brecon
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

Heading north on the A470 with a couple of hours to spare then why not take a break at the Cerrig Gleisiad nature reserve and wander within the Cwm or round its edge.

Plenty of options abound but with good clear sky and fluffy cloud I opted to walk into the cwm and pick up the moraine track before heading out just below the summit of Fan Frynach. Carrying on round the rim I took in Gleisiad and then headed back to the start on the steeper sE rim of the valley.

Highpoint of the day was a late dragonfly then it was on for an up and down of Fan Fawr


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Trip report: Waun Rhyd, Brecon Beacons

Waun Rhyd, Brecon Beacons
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

The eastern end of the main Beacons chain offers up some of the most interesting walking. Away from the crowds of Storey Arms the views remain but in a more tranquil setting.

Two cars make the most of this area as like today you can park one at the lay-by on the Talybont reservoir (if unoccupied by the army, it was busy today) Then follow the well trod path up over Allt Llwyd. Pausing above the col Wayn Rhydd takes on a more dominant role than normal (see above) but is still and easy climb to the plateau. Care is needed at this point especially in mist but a direct line brings you to a summit that is little more than some scattered stones.

Pick up the track that skirts the northern edges and take in the equally unimpressive top of Bwylch y Ddywallt before heading SW then S to come out at the car park at Blaen y Glyn.

The reverse route saves 200m climb but the views are better for the extra effort.



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Trip Report : Camlo Hill

Rhiw Gwraidd from Camlo Hill
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

For drivers heading out on the A44 east of Rhayader Camlo hill is the ridge to the north of the main road at the head of the wide valley on that lovely long overtaking straight.

For the walker it is an easy circular from the back side thought the forestry above Abbeycwmhir. On this occasion it was a short day out with friends and our respective children.

Small bits of road walking break up a mix of open hillside and forestry paths. A pleasant afternoon walk with a mix of wide ranging views and the Abbey ruins to look at on the way back. And of course don't forget a pleasant pint in the Happy Union

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Trip Report: Arenig Fawr

Southern Ridge of Arenig Fawr
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

The traditional route for the central Arenigs is from the north as access and parking are far more abundant. However finding myself starting in Bala I opted for the link road across the mountains to Trawsfynydd and a pair of southern loops.

A wet day and masses of water in the previous week is not the best agenda for this walk but having left the car at SH805335 and picking up the first of three Deweys at the 518 spot height it was a simple case of heading to the wet col and going out and back to Llyfnant before climbing the main ridge.

The cloud lifted at this point as I headed back south and cut across over thick heather to Moel Ymenyn and the final dDewey of Foel Boeth.

This last leg of up is far from easy firstly you need to head for the col NW of the final top taking care not to get into the green (and wet) stream valley that abuts the woodland. Then there is the case of reaching the top itself. Eschew the western approach for a strike from almost due south where a track is hidden about 10m into the forest and uses a natural cut in the landscape to bring you onto the summit area.

Returning to the car left the final challenge with water levels so high the innocent little Afon Erwent was in full flow forcing a half mile walk upstream until a fence crossed it that just held my weight.

A tiring day all told but rewarding none the less


Other photos from trip

Trip Report : Foel Goch, Arenig

Foel Goch, Arenig from Cwm Da
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

Tucked away on its own above Bala this is one of the least frequented summits in Wales. Before CROW only one right of way offered a line of ascent but with open access its open game on how to get here.

Looking for a change I stopped further north than usual by the entrance to Coed y Bedw (this is more open than the usual stopping point as per Nutall and may be safer)

Curving round behind the farm and little knoll I dropped down to Cwm Da then climbed the rough ground up to the col between FG and Moel Darren. Usually a hard but dry bet in summer this was a boggy slog today and only the constant views kept things going. the going eases at the col but the trig point was still a welcome sign.

From here the path east (care on the electric fences) takes you first to Orddu then beneath Bryn Bras before collecting the track I left at the start.

All told a nice variation on the direct ascent up the wet path of Cwm Da but the next visit to this route will most definitely be done in reverse.


Other photos from this walk

Trip Report: Cader Berwyn

Upper Afon Lwrch from Mynydd Tarw
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

There is really only one walk in the Berwyns for the peak bagger. Leave llanrhaeadr and the waterfall to the coach parties and head east into the upper part of the Afon Lwrch valley. Parking for three to four cars can be found by the river near T'yn y Ffridd then its a simple direct climb up to the top of Mynydd Tarw.

Don't be tempted to rush this section though the climb is direct and steep and eases only in the final 50m once up though the fenceline and easy path lead you onward for the rest of the ridge.

Despite being August the ground is amazingly wet today more like the end of winter than summer and I am left feeling we are in for some bad flooding if there isn't a dry spell soon (edit prophetic words as the first autumn storm reacked havoc across mid Wales a few weeks alter).

With the cloud down there is nothing left but the wet slog over Bronwen, Berwyn and Moel Sych before the return on the ridge over Godor.

Only blessing on yet another cloudy day is the rain more or less held off

Trip report : Monaidh Laidh

Coire Ardair from Aberarder
Originally uploaded by Pete Roberts (rhayader_wanderer)

Overlooking Loch Laggan this combination of Munros and tops constitutes a grand day out over relatively easy going terrain once the summit ridge is reached.

Parking is offered by the reserve car park and the initial walk is over the friendly track into the Corrie. Keep to this until the track heads down to the river at the point clearly visible on the photo. Cross over and start on one of only two really hard climbs for the day. A series of zig zags allows you to reach the first of the four outlier tops from which it is a series of gentle loops to pick up the remaining three summits.

Track back on yourself from the last of the four then there is a steady climb up to the highest point in the range at 1130m. A breather at a simple cairn allows you to take in the remainder of the group before heading on to the vee in the ridge that would be the safe escape in bad weather or the way up for the Munro only ascent.

The continuation marks a series of steady ups and downs over easy terrain however on reaching the end at Coire Dubh you are left with a less pleasant choice.

A retrace to the final Munro of Carn Laith is not immediately attractive but having dropped down into the valley and negotiated the deer fence and overgrown tracks I have to admit it is possibly the best option.

A nice long walk worth saving for a good day and definitely the highlight of the trip