Rob Samuel and Miranda Grant tip toe along a narrowing on the Llech Ddu Spur

Gerlan

Bethesda A fo n Lla Foel Ganol far waterworks

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Mynydd Du Cwm Llafar

N Llech Ddu a A5 Cwmglas n Bach t

02 Cwmglas A f F o Mawr

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r O a g n wen c o 0 500m n 1044m Llech Ddu Spur (Crib Lem) 02 Carnedd Dafydd

Grade 1 Area Aspect North (715m) Approach 80 mins (665 635)

A top-drawer scramble in a dramatic mountain setting. The route follows a devious path to gain the crest of a striking ridge, which is perched above Cwm Llafar; a long, secluded valley with a feeling of wildness that is unsurpassed anywhere in . The scrambling is exposed but always easy, and always on reliable rock. Good approach tracks and access onto the high, rolling ground of the Carneddau peaks, also make this an attractive scramble to run.

Approach The Carneddau, an area covering nearly 200 square kilometres, is the biggest of the mountain ranges in . They extend north from the Ogwen Valley and east from the Nant Ffrancon. Carnedd Dafydd is located in the southwest corner of the range, with the Llech Ddu Spur sitting high on its north face, hidden from both major valleys. It is logistically sensible, and an integral part of the experience, to approach the scramble from the northwest, along the secluded Cwm Llafar.

Start from Gerlan, an area that was once a separate village on the eastern edge of Bethesda. Gerlan is best reached from a crossroads on the A5, just south of Bethesda. At the kinked crossroads, turn east and head up the Braichmelyn Road. Continue over a river and up a steep hill until a further crossroads. Turn sharply right and continue into Gerlan. Parking spaces are limited so please park sensibly with consideration for residents.

It is also possible to park in Bethesda. Turn left immediately after crossing the river on the Braichmelyn Road. Park here, on this non-residential stretch of road (630 663). A footpath, starting on the opposite side of the Braichmelyn Road, adjacent to the bridge and marked on a map, heads east up to Gerlan. There is very little extra walking involved by parking here.

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The striking line of the Llech Ddu Spur seen from Mynydd Du

A scoot across to from the top of the Llech Ddu Spur Carnedd Dafydd Llech Ddu Spur (Crib Lem)

Walk up the narrow lane, Gerlan Road, that heads southeast out of the village. At the end of the lane, turn right and cross a road bridge over the . Continue past the waterworks sign, then cross a stile to the right of the gate marked ‘private’. Head up the left side of the field, skirting around the waterworks.

Cross another stile at the top left corner of the field. Turn right and follow a well-trodden route through old enclosures towards more open ground. Occasional marker posts help confirm direction, as does the Afon Llafar, which soon flows parallel to the path (100m to the left).

Less than a kilometre after passing the waterworks, the path becomes a narrow, well-constructed track. This runs straight up the right-hand side of Cwm Llafar. After 3km the track arrives at a collection of large boulders beneath Llech Ddu; a 100m high, steep pyramidal crag that looms over the valley floor. The white quartz bands, on the shoulder above the crag, mark the start of the Llech Ddu Spur.

Skirt the edge of the boulder field to a path that zig-zags up the scree slope to the right of Llech Ddu. The path leads to a small hanging cwm, Cwmglas Bach, which nestles beneath the ragged northeast cliffs of Carnedd Dafydd.

Approximately 30m before reaching the steep headwall of the cwm (and when almost level with the base of the crag to your right), the path cuts back and left, up a gently rising, grassy ramp line. This distinctive ramp line leads to the shoulder above Llech Ddu and the quartz bands that mark the start of the scramble.

Description Scramble straight up from the shoulder, picking a way through short rock steps and runnels. The ridge soon narrows, with extremely steep grassy slopes on either side. Sticking to the rocky crest is the most fun. Otherwise, sidestep any obstacles using sneaky little detours on both the left and right flanks.

The ridge eventually merges into the summit dome. At this point it’s worth turning around and appreciating what a magnificent line the route has taken. Continue easily to the summit.

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