After a break from serious walking of nearly a year we are now resuming our research of Sarn Helen. We are still comparing our experiences and the route to that described in the Cicerone Guide for the walk and hope these notes will compliment the descriptions and information in the guide.
In our last entry we left the walk at Dolwyddelan, having shown the two possible routes of the Roman road from Betws ( miners Bridge) and from Ugly House. We now take up the walk going South from Dolwyddelan. Because of the remoteness of this section in relation to public transport we are going to break the route into sections and add in more of the Countryside to create circular walks so walkers can get back to their vehicles. This first walk is approximately 9 miles ( approx. 4 miles of Sarn Helen and 5 miles back over Y Rowen)
We again parked on the High Street near to the War Memorial. We then walked South over the river and rail bridges. The guide book explains a route which initially takes in both sides of Afon Cwm Penamner , this route is now well marked so follow the blue footpath signs up into the forest along a well defined track. These signs become apparent as you turn right after the river bridge and then left after the rail bridges a short distance further on; the aforementioned forest track starts on your right. Ignore the lane down left to the station. Watch out for the British Rail 6 ton weight limit on your right, the forest track is on the same side a few metres later.
(The alternative to this is to follow the road right just after the rail bridge which is marked on the OS map as the route of Sarn Helen but watch for cars.)
This is a fairly moderate part of the walk and you will gain height gradually through the trees - occasionally seeing the road running in parallel to your right.
The walk through the forest is safe and pleasant, keep following the blue footpath signs and eventually you will be led down to a footbridge and a small parking area on the aforementioned road. Turn left here and follow the track south past Tan -y -bwlch farm and on through a gate to Ty'n-y-Cwm. Go through the second gate and bear left over a small bridge and stream. The track divides here so take the left hand path ( the narrow one of the two) over a second small bridge and continue towards the hills in front. The only way South out of this Cwm (valley) is over those hills so things now get a little more strenuous.
The path is still signed so don't turn off left or right at junctions but keep going until the path disappears through trees going steeply up.
The climb is hard but fairly easy to follow until you reach the crest and a stile. You cross the stile into open moor land with a fantastic view ( great lunch stop.)
Instead of continuing on Sarn Helen from here we walked left - approximately NE - along the fence line of the forest and made our way towards Y Rowen. - a decent climb (594m). The OS map shows a number of fences that can be followed to handrail a safe route through this access land. It's best to follow the fence as there isn't a defined path.
The climb up to Y Rowen is rewarded with (in my opinion) one of the best views in Snowdonia. To the west in the immediate foreground is the bulk of Moel Shabod; behind and to the South is Snowdon; and further to the left and south is Knicht.
The route down from YRowen is a green lane marked on the OS map, this is easily followed back to Dolwyddelan. This is a great circular walk that advanced us on our way along Sarn Helen and got us back on the mountains to enjoy a great view. approximately 9 miles.
To try and meet up with where we left off from the Sarn we did another circular from Cwm Penmachno. Having driven through the small village park on the left near a sign to the old slate works at Cwt -y bugall Quarry. The track up to the quarry and works is well defined and the size of the old works surprising. An interesting place of industrial archaeology worth a look. Once you arrive at the works walk up a steep incline near the tall chimney and you will see a track coming down from right to left. This is just before reaching Llyn Bowydd. This track is Sarn Helen, continuing uphill to the right ( North) would bring you back to where we emerged from the woods above Dolwyddelan in our last section ( before we took the route over YRowen.)
In our last entry we left the walk at Dolwyddelan, having shown the two possible routes of the Roman road from Betws ( miners Bridge) and from Ugly House. We now take up the walk going South from Dolwyddelan. Because of the remoteness of this section in relation to public transport we are going to break the route into sections and add in more of the Countryside to create circular walks so walkers can get back to their vehicles. This first walk is approximately 9 miles ( approx. 4 miles of Sarn Helen and 5 miles back over Y Rowen)
We again parked on the High Street near to the War Memorial. We then walked South over the river and rail bridges. The guide book explains a route which initially takes in both sides of Afon Cwm Penamner , this route is now well marked so follow the blue footpath signs up into the forest along a well defined track. These signs become apparent as you turn right after the river bridge and then left after the rail bridges a short distance further on; the aforementioned forest track starts on your right. Ignore the lane down left to the station. Watch out for the British Rail 6 ton weight limit on your right, the forest track is on the same side a few metres later.
(The alternative to this is to follow the road right just after the rail bridge which is marked on the OS map as the route of Sarn Helen but watch for cars.)
This is a fairly moderate part of the walk and you will gain height gradually through the trees - occasionally seeing the road running in parallel to your right.
The walk through the forest is safe and pleasant, keep following the blue footpath signs and eventually you will be led down to a footbridge and a small parking area on the aforementioned road. Turn left here and follow the track south past Tan -y -bwlch farm and on through a gate to Ty'n-y-Cwm. Go through the second gate and bear left over a small bridge and stream. The track divides here so take the left hand path ( the narrow one of the two) over a second small bridge and continue towards the hills in front. The only way South out of this Cwm (valley) is over those hills so things now get a little more strenuous.
The path is still signed so don't turn off left or right at junctions but keep going until the path disappears through trees going steeply up.
The climb is hard but fairly easy to follow until you reach the crest and a stile. You cross the stile into open moor land with a fantastic view ( great lunch stop.)
Instead of continuing on Sarn Helen from here we walked left - approximately NE - along the fence line of the forest and made our way towards Y Rowen. - a decent climb (594m). The OS map shows a number of fences that can be followed to handrail a safe route through this access land. It's best to follow the fence as there isn't a defined path.
The climb up to Y Rowen is rewarded with (in my opinion) one of the best views in Snowdonia. To the west in the immediate foreground is the bulk of Moel Shabod; behind and to the South is Snowdon; and further to the left and south is Knicht.
The route down from YRowen is a green lane marked on the OS map, this is easily followed back to Dolwyddelan. This is a great circular walk that advanced us on our way along Sarn Helen and got us back on the mountains to enjoy a great view. approximately 9 miles.
To try and meet up with where we left off from the Sarn we did another circular from Cwm Penmachno. Having driven through the small village park on the left near a sign to the old slate works at Cwt -y bugall Quarry. The track up to the quarry and works is well defined and the size of the old works surprising. An interesting place of industrial archaeology worth a look. Once you arrive at the works walk up a steep incline near the tall chimney and you will see a track coming down from right to left. This is just before reaching Llyn Bowydd. This track is Sarn Helen, continuing uphill to the right ( North) would bring you back to where we emerged from the woods above Dolwyddelan in our last section ( before we took the route over YRowen.)
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