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Craig Cwm Silyn – Along The Cliff’s Edge

By Dave Roberts   

on March 8, 2015    No ratings yet.

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Snowdonia National Park, The Nantlle Ridge and Moel Hebog Ranges, Wales

Craig Cwm Silyn – Along The Cliff’s Edge

Route Essentials

Route Summary

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

8.56 km

Ascent

474 m

Time

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Difficulty

Hazards

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Craig Cwm Silyn – Along The Cliff’s Edge Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

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Craig Cwm Silyn – Along The Cliff’s Edge

Craig Cwm Silyn may be the Nantlle Ridge’s summit, but for those doing the full traverse, this is just the last bit that needs completing before the final descent down Mynydd Graig Goch. Ascended via Cwm Silyn, it provides an airy clifftop approach that those rushing on over the summit plateau will miss. And at only 8km if you can get to the starting point (add 6km to start the walk from Llanllyfni) this is a corker when you’ve only a few hours spare.

1 The route starts off at the top of a minor road called Lon Tyddyn Agnes outside Llanllyfni at grid reference SH495510 (use the map directions on the right to find it!).  We’re not sure who Agnes was and there’s no Tyddyn by that name on the route. There’s a small parking area, provided by the landowner. Be seriously aware that this seems to be a favourite dog walking/toileting location and the condition of the verges just before the gate and near the parking is nothing short of disgusting.

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Some of the locals should consider the poor image they’re giving the rest of us.

2 There’s a good track that sets off towards Cwm Silyn, which you’ll reach after 1.5km. It’s well worth an explore if you’ve the time – as there are three lakes here if you include the tiny tarn higher up. There was very little to see on this occasion, but it was forecast to clear up and we were optimistic!

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3 Head uphill from the lakes towards the fence on the hill, if you can see it, and follow the path alongside for 500m. After that point, the path continues steadily along the hillside.

cwmsilyn (1 of 4)

4 It’s not long before the path begins to hug the cliff top, and care needs to be taken not to take sheep paths that take you even closer to the action! The main path is clear and even this might be uncomfortably close to the edge for some! It was exceptionally breezy on our ascent, but thankfully it was blowing us away from the edge! It was also blowing the many small rivulets up and over, giving parts of the walk the feel of being in a boat. The views across the crags from here are what makes it all worth it.

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5 This airy path continues for just over 1km, where you’ll be met by the junction of three walls. You cross this, and you can continue along the clifftop with care towards the tops of Craig Cwm Silyn. We don’t mean the actual summit, but a highpoint at SH519502 that’s clearly the highest point of the crags seen in the photograph above. Unfortunately, the ground rises gently behind this to the actual highest point of the mountain

6 On a good day, you’ll still get a good view from the summit of Craig Cwm Silyn in all directions. Today, alas, we saw nothing!

In the voice of Jim Bowen – “Lets see what you could have won..”

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7 You descend the same way – though you can easily divert at the 3 way wall junction above towards Garnedd Goch (and rejoining this route.

Of course, in what we’ve come to expect on our hill jaunts – the cloud cleared half way down and at least we were treated with some excellent views of the cwm.

cwmsilyn (3 of 4)

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

This walk includes the Washi of Craig Cwm Silyn

This walk includes the Hewitt of Craig Cwm Silyn

This walk includes the Nuttall of Craig Cwm Silyn

Route Start Location:

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
8.56 km 474 m

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: 

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

Check out the businesses nearby for more places to stay and drink.

Hazards

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking :

Public Transport:

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

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