Aber Falls to Foel Fras

From the car park, take the path signed for Aber Falls, which heads south along the eastern shores of the Afon Rhaeadr-Fawr. At the fork, take the left and continue along the path until you reach the waterfall. This is a beautiful bit of scenery, where the Afon Goch tumbles 120ft from the cliffs above. Take care around the slippery rocks near the falls.

The path rises to the left of the Aber Falls through rock slabs into a valley above. You should be along the eastern side of the Afon Goch, the river on your right. The trail eventually leads to a series of little waterfalls, which marks the spot for you to turn left and start a proper ascent on an eastward bearing towards the peak of Llwytmor. The path has a slight northward angle before bearing southeast on your way to the summit, marked by a cairn. Continue along this route through a col and finally the summit of Foel Fras. At over three thousand feet, you’re quite a long way up from where you started!

This next section from Foel Fras to Drum is a fairly straightforward ridge walk. The path heads from Foel Fras in a northeast direction, straightening out to the north as you progress. At the summit of Drum, you’ll find another cairn, along with wonderful views over Llyn Anafon to the west. Continue north to Carnedd y Ddelw, descending slowly along the ridge line all the while. A secondary cairn marks a spot where the fence turns northeast – head to the track below, on your left, and follow this. Three rocky summits follow, none with obvious paths, so exercise caution in walking up and down these slopes.

From Foel Dduarth (the last of the three), avoid the steep drop on the western slopes and instead work your way down in a broad half-circle from its northern flank. You’ll come to a track with power lines overhead. Follow this track all the way through a gate and back to your starting point at the car park.