Start and End point - SH732663
A long and windy steep drive up from the village of Tal-Y-Bont in the Conwy valley eventually levels off and leads to a small car park at the end of the lane. Ideal parking to explore the close by LLyn Eigiau reservoir to the S.W. by climbing over a style and following down.
Our destination today though is the two reservoirs below the mighty peaks of Foel Frach (976m) and Carnedd Gwenllian (926m), formerly known as Carnedd Uchaf. The first and smallest of the two is Melynllyn, a place where I Wild Camped back in the late Summer of 2012. The second is Dulyn reservoir, an other place I have Wild Camped, this time with my brother back in the Summer of 2013.
To start, climb over the style to the North of the car park and follow the stony track straight ahead to the next style at the base of the Glogwynreryr spur. Climb over the style and follow the track to the right, up and around the spur, bearing sharp left with a few more turns until you come to a more gradual climb just below the ridge to the left. The track is very easy to follow as it is made for vehicle access to Melynllyn. The views across the valley are immense. Looking down you will see Avon Dulyn winding its way down the valley being joined by other brooks and streams which you will be crossing on the way back. To the West you will see a small stand of Pine trees, note the path above them. This is the path you will be leading out on. To the North East you will see the peaks of Pen y Castell, Penygadair and the old fort of Pen-Y-Gaer, above the small village of Llanbedr-Y-Cennin.
Continue along this track and eventually you will get a glimps of the Dulyn reservoir across the valley, shadowed by the great Craig-Y-Dulyn. Continue along and you come to an old ruined Mill as the track turns to the right. Nothing left but an old stone ruin with some old rusty machinery in the middle.
If you look to the South, West and North you will see the ridge of the Carneddai range. On a clear day you will most likely see people walking on the tops. Directly above the ruin you will see a crag in the rocks. Walk across some boggy ground, then climb up to get some nice views of Melynllyn, and also see the beautiful greens of grass, moss and ferns within the crag itself. Great photo opportunities on boulders here of the whole valley to the North East below.
Back down to the old ruin and back onto the track, continue a short distance to the so far elusive Melynllyn. Here is where we planned to have our break, a picnic of sorts on the concrete overflow structures of the reservoir. Time to sit back and relax, take in the sights, look for the silhouettes of walkers on the ridge high above, enjoying the mirror like reflections of Craig Fawr on the reservoirs surface, watching the girls explore the shoreline boulders and the dogs enjoying there swim.
Food and drink consumed, time to move on, heading North East over a couple of planks across the reservoirs outlet follow the track down towards the Dulyn reservoir. Caution is needed here as this narrow track is steep as it winds its way down to the reservoir. Climb over the concrete structures, across the wide overflow back on to the grassy edge and to the hut situated on the edge of the reservoir. Looking into the water you can see the propeller remains from an old aircraft that crashed here many years ago. We walked up the grassy bank to the sight where my brother and I Wild Camped two years before and took advantage of some great photo opportunities with the cliffs of Craig Y Dulyn in the background.
Theres a different feel to this reservoir than there is to Melynllyn. Its darker, moody, more menacing than the other. The water of the lake itself seems black. I remember when we camped here waking up in the morning, opening the tent door to be greeted by a shield of white. The cloud was low and to walk in it would of been foolish, so with no alternative we went back to sleep until the cloud lifted.
From here its a short walk down to the small 'Bothy' The hut was locked, windows smashed. What can you say. Head up hill from here until you come to the track you would of seen on the decent to Melynllyn. From here on the way gets very boggy, especially on the lower slopes alongside the small stream. Follow the track above the small stand of pines, we stopped here for a little rest and some water. An unusual place this. The ten or so pine trees look so out of place, marooned here in the grassy boggy valley. Would be a nice place to set up the Hammock for a night out in the Summer. Back on up the track which weaves and winds its way along. Its easy to lose the path here and wonder on into the bogs as we found our, so keep high and away from the stream below. Step across the first stream, onto the second named 'Afon Garreg-Wen' which has a convenient wooden bridge crossing it. Take in the beauty of the the stream as it crashes down the valley side towards the Afon Dulyn. From here find the path that strikes West towards a newish building and wooden bridge you can see ahead. Once there the boggy stretch is over. Climb onto the narrow bridge and find the track which will lead you out. Its not too difficult to find as its another one made for 4WD vehicles. Follow this around the spur, steadily climbing, back to the style onto the track you first took on this trip. Turn left and follow back to the car park.
This was a lovely walk to take my girls on and hopefully
get them into this walking malarkey. The dogs loved the exercise and freedom to do what is natural for them. Burning off energy. With the sun shining and a slight haze, it was a wonderful way to spend the day.
