Extended Round of Marchlyn Mawr

1st February 2025


 
 
 
 
 

 

Overview
Ascent: 2,919 Feet - 889 Metres
Summits: 5, Elidir Fach - Elidir Fawr - Foel-goch - Mynydd Perfedd - Carnedd y Filiast
Weather: Bright Sunshine Throughout. Bittery Cold Summit Winds. Highs of 6°C Lows of 3°C Feels Like -9°C
Parking: Roadside Parking, Access Road Marchlyn Mawr Reservoir, Deiniolen
Area: Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)
Miles: 8
Walking With: On My Own
Ordnance Survey: OL17
Time Taken: 5 Hours
Route: Access Road Marchlyn Mawr Reservoir - Elidir Fach - Bwlch Melynwyn - Elidir Fawr - Bwlch y Marchlyn - Bwlch y Brecan - Bwlch y Cywion - Foel-goch - Bwlch y Brecan - Mynydd Perfedd - Carnedd y Filiast - Marchlyn Mawr Reservoir - Access Road Marchlyn Mawr Reservoir
 

Parking Details and Map
Nearest Post Code: LL55 3NA
Grid Reference: SH 596 630


 

Map and Photo Gallery

 
 

Y Fronllwyd (L) and Carnedd y Filiast (R) 3°C 07:20am

I was presented with two forecasts pretty much the same with the higher summits predicted to be above the cloud both for the Lake District and the Snowdonian mountains, the latter having the edge based on clear skies and sunshine. It had been a busy week and if I'm honest I'd set my sights on walking Grisedale Pike and Grasmoor from Braithwaite so this walk was pretty much rushed together. I set my sights on reaching the outskirts of Deiniolen for 07:00am but the Highways Agency for some reason had closed the M56 junction from the M6 meaning I had to continue to Northwich then turn around northbound for another couple of miles. The detour only added about twenty minutes onto my journey but by the time I arrived I'd lost the darkness of the hour with dawn just minutes away. There was already a couple of other cars there when I arrived one lights flashed as its owners, a young couple locked it before heading towards Marchlyn Mawr reservoir.

The temperature wasn't exactly into minus figures but the wind made it feel bitter as I kitted up I used the side of my car as a shelter finger tips freezing and missing the eyelets of my boots. Given how sunny the forecast is I'm using the big camera today, that's two walks on the trot which is usually unheard of during the winter months! Another car pulls up and out of it a chap and his young Springer get out, the spaniel running laps around my car nose to the ground her owner apologises I smile 'no worries' shes gorgeous and full of energy! The chap and spaniel soon leave as I perform one last sweep of the boot making sure I have everything including my spikes before I lock the car and up the reservoir road.


The view over Marchlyn Mawr Reservoir towards Elidir Fawr North Ridge, Mynydd Perfedd and Carnedd Dafydd.
The steepness of the incline soon got the blood flowing and within twenty minutes I'd reached Marchlyn Bach Reservoir from where I'd begin my ascent on Elidir Fach, It's a steep start over frozen ground as the dawn light fills a cloudless sky. Up ahead I spot a solo chap in descent and once our paths cross we stop for a chat. He's sounds like he's from the Wirral and tells me he's accompanied his wife summating Elidir Fawr before she went onto to continue on a 46k fell run, I fill my cheeks with air and blew out, jeez that takes some going on these mountains I replied. The chap continued his descent while I stopped to add a thicker hat as I continue my ascent into a bitter head wind.

Crib Goch and Snowdon from Elidir Fach summit.
Sunrise was minutes away as the sky filled with a warm afterglow which did nothing to take the windchill away. As it turns out I'm not alone as I spot a pair of walkers ascending Elidir Fawr along with a solo chap behind, including myself thats half a dozen walkers on the mountain and it's not yet 08:00am. The good news is one of them is long gone (the chaps fell running wife) one is on his way back to his car and rest of us are nicely spaced apart. Good stuff.

Elidir Fawr.
I'm hoping the closer I get to the mountain that the wind will drop and I can stop sniffling my nose like a two year old with a cold!

Sunrise over Tryfan, The Glyders and Y Garn from Elidir Fawr.
There are two paths to choose from when ascending Elidir Fawr from Elidir Fach, the path closer to the fence zigzags its way up consequently taking the steepness out of the ascent, the more central path is as straight as a ruler and for me, the preferred choice. The gravel underfoot is frozen and despite the steepness of the incline going is good and I inched my way towards the summit ridge, there are no false summits. I'd been in the shade since leaving the car my efforts kept me warm but I was yearning for some sunshine, on reaching the summit ridge, I got it in spectacular fashion.

Elidir Fawr summit.
It's time to stop and take in the views whilst I get my breath back and gather my thoughts as it would be a good choice to have a clear head whilst rock hopping over the frozen boulders.

Elidir Fawr summit shelter.
A solo walker was just leaving as I approached the summit we stopped to swap routes, I mentioned that I may go over to Y Garn but most likely, won't be going as far as Foel-goch. The chap replied that he had walked the Marchlyn Mawr horseshoe and that he was heading down via Elidir Fach. Despite being Welsh he courteously spoke in English, top guy.

Descending Elidir Fawr with views of Mynydd Perfedd, Pen yr Ole Wen, Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewelyn, Yr Elen and Foe-goch.
The summit shelter had three 25-35 ltr packs lent against the shelter wall but no signs of their owners and I wondered where they were? It's always a little unnerving when you come across back-packs without their owners.

Descending Bwlch y Marchlyn with views of Mynydd Perfedd.
Despite the winter sunshine it was still bitterly cold especially as exposed as here where the blazing sun did little to warm me up. The icy rock was thawing leaving the surface greasy and care had to be taken across here.

Pen yr Ole Wen seen over Bwlch y Brecan.
That's Foel-goch in the centre with the summit of Tryfan beyond while over to the right cloud is gathering across The Glyders.

Mynydd Perfedd, Pen yr Ole Wen, Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewelyn, Yr Elen and Foe-goch.
You can see where the path heads right over Bwlch Y Brecan towards Foal-goch but instead of ascending steeply towards its summit my plan is to flank it right until I arrive at a col that divides Foel-goch from Y Garn,

Looking back on Elidir Fawr from Bwlch y Marchlyn.
I travesered the ridge for as much as possible ducking out to use the path (seen left) when the rock became too icy underfoot.

Tryfan and Foel-goch.
I head right and keep going.

Looking back on Mynydd Perfedd
With Moel Faban and the Conwy Bay seen in the distance.

Crib Goch and Snowdon.
Seen beyond the Llanberis Valley below.

Pen yr Ole Wen, Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewelyn and Yr Elen and Llyn Ogwen below.
On reaching the col I put some thought into including Y Garn which I have climbed previously but decided against and instead I enjoyed the views over Y Llymwyd seen in the foreground. From here the grassy ridge looks nothing special but its summit is almost arete and beyond it a rock climbers paradise known as the Mushroom Garden.

Views down to Llyn Ogwen.
With the unmistakable silhouette of Tryfan and The Glyders.

Looking back on Y Garn and Snowdon.
You can't see the col from here but it's just beyond Foel-goch's south ridge. From the col my right towards the patches of snow and kept with the contour of the ridge until I climbed onto the summit.

Mynydd Perfedd and Carnedd Filiast from Foel-goch.
With the Menai Straight and Irish Sea seen beyond.

Elidir Fawr and Bwlch y Marchlyn seen beyond Bwlch y Brecan.
What a day to be out on the hill.

A wide angle view of the Ogwen Valley.
Incorporating from left to right, Pen yr Ole Wen, Tryfan, The Glyders and Foel-goch.

Carnedd Filiast from Mynydd Perfedd.
It was here I was treated to views of the North Wales Coast Guard helicopter as it flew a low pass continuing over the Carneddau before circling back over the Snowdon range which by now had a cloud inversion advancing.

Here looking across the Ogwen Valley towards...
...Pen yr Ole Wen, Pen yr Ole Wen, Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewelyn and Yr Elen. The long north facing ridge in the foreground is Braich Ty Du and is an alternative route onto Pen yr Ole Wen.

Distant views of Snowdon, Elidir Fawr and Marchlyn Mawr Reservoir from Carnedd Filiast summit.

After one last look over the Ogwen Valley I pulled myself away from Mynydd Perfedd summit and began the glorious grassy trek towards Carnedd Filiast passing two walkers who like me, stopped in amazement as the Coast Guard Helicopter flew low above our heads. A smile was all it took as we bid each other to enjoy the rest our walks as Carnedd Filiast grew closer. I always stray off path to take a look at the Atlantic Slab on the summits east face looking down on slabs of rock that formed the Atlantic seabed 539 million years ago, put simply its an awe inspiring sight to see and most folk don't even know its there. I passed a group of four young walkers and mornings were shared. Two young Welsh speaking walkers appeared and again I shared a 'morning' one of the walkers replied in Welsh and by his tone, I don't think he was wishing me a good morning. The two walked off leaving me for now with the summit before another couple arrived who headed straight for the summit cairn for selfies.

In the distance the cloud inversion was advancing over the Snowdon range towards Y Garn and The Glyders but with the sun directly over head taking a photo was neon impossible. The winds had eased and for the first time this morning I felt myself overheating as I took in the view a while longer. High wispy cloud gathered creating a slight haze in the upper atmosphere the sun still shining like a giant torch as my breathing returned to normal I felt myself warming up. The selfie couple had left the summit shelter and were on their way over so too was a young girl on the grassy plateau below. It was my time to exit. I descended over boulder, grass then more boulder before joining Carnedd Filiast north ridge my views extending towards two container ships anchored far off Conwy Bay, beyond that, grey haze filled the horizon.


 

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