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VARIANT (A): APPROACH THROUGH CWM EIGIAU

A gentle valley walk followed by a steep, heathery scramble.

Distance/Time:

Reduces overall distance by 2½ km (1½ miles) and saves ½ hour.

Terrain:

An easy track, then boulders, culminating in a heather slope crossed by rough paths.

Main Summer Difficulties:

Scrambling on a headwall.

Winter Conditions:

A notorious slope – not recommended.

Feral ponies in Cwm Eigiau (Route A1 (a))

Special Problems:

Route-finding on scrambling section.

Start:

At the Eigiau dam (723649).

Finish:

Bwlch Eryl Farchog (695633) – junction with normal route.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

A faster and scenically different approach to Carnedd Llewelyn can be made by continuing up Cwm Eigiau before striking up to the col between Pen yr Helgi du and Craig yr Ysfa.

The track from the dam sluice gates continues up Cwm Eigiau – passing numerous quarry tips – as far as a group of ruined buildings below the steep inner flank of Pen yr Helgi Du. Ahead rises the massive Craig yr Ysfa, the stone-filled slot of its Amphitheatre very obvious in the centre and emptying into a broad scree fan.

The ascent to the col on the left of the crag is not obvious. The easiest way begins first by gaining the foot of the lowest buttress left of the Amphitheatre. The path, certain then to be found, can now be followed up leftwards over heather slopes (undulating at first) until well left of the cliffs. From here it begins to wind up the slope – still trending left and crossing heathery ribs and runnels – towards the col.