Cwm Pen-Llafar Horseshoe from Bethesda (Welsh Marilyn)

From the Bethesda FC carpark, a series of well-made footpaths lead up to join the minor road from Gerlan to the waterworks where the view opens up and the circuit starts properly.

We initially follow the south bank of the Afon Llafar on a path gently uphill before it begins to climb more steeply up the slopes up Mynydd Du. Continuing the ascent S and then SE, the first summit of Carnedd Dafydd (1031m) is eventually reached.

From here, we head east above the cliffs of the Black Ladders (Ysgolion Duon) for 1.5km before the ridge narrows to cross Bwlch Crfryw-drum and climbs to the highest peak of the day, Carnedd Llewelyn (1064m, Welsh Marilyn).

We now head NW down and over another fine ridge to the rocky summit of Yr Elen (962m). A steep, loose descent follows to the gentler slopes of Foel Ganol before a gradual and increasingly boggy, pathless descent leads back to farmland at Gwaun-y-Gwiail and we rejoin our outward route at the bridge over the Afon Llafar. From here we reverse the paths through the town back to the car park.

Parking is £6 per day (card only if I remember correctly) at the Bethesda FC off the main A5 in the town. *** DO NOT park in Gerlan or on the minor road to the Waterworks ***

Cwm Pen-Llafar Horseshoe walk route