Tal y Fan From Llanfairfechan

The footpath near the car park entrance is the one to follow, keeping your eyes peeled for the granite way markers denoting the Llanfairfechan Trail. Views of the forests accompany you as you quickly ascend into clearer surroundings. The waymarked trail directs you towards Bwlch y Ddeufaen, where a wall emerges to guide you up to the summit of Foel Lwyd. This portion is quite steep, but you shouldn’t have any trouble aiming for the top. From here, the summit of Tal y Fan is nearby to the east. Follow the wall to the bwlch between the two mountains, then walk along a narrow path with the wall on your right to the top of Tal y Fan. A touch of scrambling may be necessary to conquer this stretch. Keep going past the false summit until you reach the proper peak.

There are plenty of options for descending Tal y Fan – it’s difficult to really go wrong. This route takes you on a northeast bearing down the mountain, the trail hugging the western flank of Cefn Maen Amor. The North Wales Path is ahead, which you’ll take in a western direction as it passes a broken down smallholding. Cross the river and follow the easily visible markers before turning left onto a broad path towards Bryn Derwydd. The North Wales Path is very well-signed the rest of your way back. Keep your eye out for prehistoric stone circles! The path ends at Newry Drive – cross the bridge, turn left, and the car park is half a kilometre away.