Moel Siabod via the Daear Ddu ridge

After crossing the road by the Plas y Brenin centre and following the wooded path towards Pont Cyfyng we follow the good path uphill in a SW direction past the ruins of the disused quarry and then into the cwm containing Llyn-y-Foel. We may need to take a circuitous path around the cwm to avoid the worst of the boggy ground before the Daear Ddu ridge, which has been prominently in view for some time, is reached. Here the fun starts as we head up the fine rocky ridge. It is well broken offering short sections of easy scrambling interspersed with walking. Hands will be needed but all difficulties and exposure can be avoided and there are sensational views of the east face of Moel Siabod and down into the cwm below. The ridge ends just a short distance from the summit from where, on a clear day, there are panoramic views of the suurounding mountains, particularly Snowdon.

We descend by the usual path from the summit NE down to the woods opposite Plas y Brenin from where we walk back along forest tracks to the start point.
As scrambling on wet rock with water running up sleeves isn’t particularly enjoyable, the wet weather option is to miss out the Daear Ddu ridge and follow the path which runs a couple of hundred meters to the south of it. The forecast looks reasonable so fingers crossed the ridge will be possible and not too hot and sultry!