Conwy-Mymbyr (Low Route/Ffordd Isaf)

The return leg, leaving at 7am and heading through Conwy to Henryd. Then a delightful series of quiet, twisting lanes through Rowen, before the very steep lane from Pontwgan to Llanbedr y Cennin, which feels like you're climbing straight back into the heart of the Carneddau for a while. There was probably a better way to do this section, but it was all very scenic. From Llanbedr, I dropped down to Tal y Bont where a pavement leads to Dolgarrog - the only main road section. Then I took the Pipe Dream steps through Coed Dolgarrog. These are immensely steep but gain height very rapidly, and ultimately lead via the pipe to the contouring track which leads lengthily but gently up into Cwm Cowlyd. I inspected the derelict farm at Garreg and then took the awkward bridleway along the west shore of Cowlyd. From the lip of Cowlyd it is plain, if boggy, sailing down to Ogwen and Capel - before a rather dull haul along Dyffryn Mymbyr to the car - 2:58 from Conwy, over an hour less than yesterday's 'haute route', so I was back in Hod by 11am.