Berwyn extension from Dyffryn Ceiriog

Peaks: Mynydd Tarw, Foel Wen, Cadair Berwyn, Moel Sych

Area: Berwyn

The best route in the Berwyns is probably the horseshoe around Cwm Maen Gwynedd. I've done it a few times over the years but one of the big problems is parking (there is none in the valley). This large extension gets round that problem by starting miles away in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, and it also massively extends the loop to 32k with 1400m ascent. Jez joined me, and we set off in bracing sunshine and strong winds for the long climb out of the Ceiriog valley. This road is very quiet, so the tarmac is no hardship, and eventually leads to big views out over mid Wales before descending to the very quiet Cwm Maen Gwynedd itself. We ploughed up the front of Mynydd Tarw, which is very steep indeed, before embarking on the excellent ridge over Foel Wen towards Ffordd Saeson (which has great historical significance) and the menhir which I assume is 'maen Gwynedd' itself. We went straight up the steep ridge to the main Berwyn ridge, which had a little light snow on it. A cold wind blew, but it was somewhat lighter here than it was on the road luckily. Over Cadair Berwyn to Moel Sych and a short break, before the superb descent into the jaws of Llanrhaedr, the over-deepened valley rising from Llanrhaedr y Mochnant and culminating in Pistyll Rhaedr and Llyn Lluncaws, two of North Wales' most outstanding features. The views are wonderful, and the glowering skies (it had long since clouded over) made it even better. We took in the views from the top of the waterfall before descending the zigzags to the Pistyll Rheader car park. I've only been here a couple of times as it is so inaccessible for us. A long road section down this lovely valley led to a junction a mile or two before LyM. We decided to avoid the village, and cut back along extremely quiet lanes north through the isolated but beautiful valley of the Afon Lwrch. I don't think I have ever been up this valley before, which is quite remarkable. After lovely relaxed running with the sun peeping through, we arrived back in Cwm Maen Gwynedd and embarked on the long climb back over to Llanarmon DC. Around 3.5 hours of gentle running, a superb start to the Easter break and a great way to celebrate the end of the Welsh lockdown (which ended today).