Wales – Berwyn mountains, Denbighshire
Distance: 23km/141⁄2 miles
Time: 7hrs
Type: Mountain
Where: Circular walk from Llandrillo over the Berwyns, returning along Cwm Pennant.
Start/End: Llandrillo village car park (SJ035372).
Terrain: Clear tracks and paths over both grassland and heather moorland, with sections of boardwalk across boggy stretches along the ridge-top. Good visibility advised.
Maps: OS Explorer 255; OS Landranger 125.
Unknown by many, the Berwyn mountain range in northeast Wales provides some excellent walking away from the crowds. This large area of high moorland is situated east of the Snowdonia National Park, bounded to the north and west by the Dee Valley and by the Welsh/English border to the east. The most popular starting point for walks in the Berwyns is the famous 73m/240ft Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall (often mistakenly claimed to be the tallest in Wales) and one of the Seven Wonders of Wales. Other approaches are quieter, including this walk from the west, whose highlight is the splendid stretch along the central Berwyn ridge that includes the three highest summits: Cadair Bronwen (784m/2,572ft), Cadair Berwyn (830m/2,723ft) and Moel Sych (827m/2,713ft). The eastern side of the ridge is characterised by steep drops and crags, providing some impressive views. A gentle valley walk at the end of the day returns you to the start.
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