Magnificent Moel Hebog

[johnkaysleftleg]

With Thursday morning being wet and windy we had a lazy start but managed a little wander around the Coed-y-Breinin Forest and its wonderful waterfalls in the afternoon. Fridays forecast was good for the morning with more rain in the afternoon so we got up early(ish) and headed to Beddgelert to climb the hill we had admired while we had lunch atop of Trum y Ddysgl.


Pistyll Cain Waterfall by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Rhaeadr mawddach by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

We arrived at the wonderful little village of Beddgelert, home of legends and a train station and set off up the villages own mountain. As with the Nantlle ridge this is a short steep ascent. Once the railway line is crossed twice you come to the lower slopes which were festooned with copious amounts of bluebells today making a truly bucolic scene.


Start of the walk by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Moel Hebog and Bluebells by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Bluebells with Snowdon peaking out by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Fields of Blubells by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Time for a rest by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

It was hard to keep going in all honesty given the warmth of the day and the beauty of the surrounds but onwards we went up the grassy path. This route is fairly relentlessly steep so many stops for rests were taken to admire the superb views towards the Snowdon Massive and up Nantgwynant.
As height is gained the path steadily gets rockier as you near the fine crags that have been in view for most of the ascent. Eventually the route becomes a bit lose under foot and hands on at times, which adds to the overall enjoyment. It comes as a relief however once you top out on Y Grisiau and are rewarded with a magnificent view of Snowdon.


View from the lower slopes of Moel Hebog by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr (click on pic to view large version)


Cloud on the Nantlle Ridge by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Snowdon and Nantgwynant by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr (click on pic for large version)


Hughie admiring Snowdon by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

From here the walk to Moel Hebogs spacious summit is simple and your’re rewarded with a sensational 360 degree panorama. From the Nantlle ridge to the north, the Snowdon Massive, a wonderful view down Nantgwynant with Moel Siabod at its head, around to the Cnicht and the distant Cader Idris before taking in the view of the golden beaches of the coast and a vast swathe of water. There is something about a summit view that takes in both magnificent peaks and the sea that is really special and we spent a good while taking in the sights sheltered behind the wall enjoying the sunshine.


Beddgelert Aerial View by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Approaching the summit with Snowdon behind by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Grace and Hughie on Moel Hebog Summit by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Looking across Cwm Pennant to the coastal hills. by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Looking towards Cardigan Bay by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Looking towards the Cnicht by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Grace and Hughie at the Trig Point by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Moel Hebog by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

All the while we could see the weather slowly encroaching from the North so we stuck to our original plan of a simple there and back which as hardly a problem given the sumptuous views now ahead of us on our descent.
By the time we returned to Beddgelert it had clouded over but our charmed existence on this holiday held out as we had time for an icecream before returning to the car and a drive home in the rain.


Weather coming in by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

This is a mountain that certainly deserves a return visit; not only for its summit view but so it can be combined with the other two Hewitts to the north, the craggy lumps of Moel Yr Ogof and Moel Lefn. We will certainly be returning to Snowdonia, it’s a truly wonderful place that we all fell in love with on this holiday given the chance by the weather to actually explore its delights.

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[SusieThePensioner]

Lucky you again, beautiful weather! Wonderful views from the top and, I realised, that I have actually walked up here with my parents and brother so am going to update my hills We stayed at Criccieth in the very early 1960's and I remember it as being scorching hot

[L-Hiking]

Wonderful photos of the water falls, they look so alive

What are they called?? ha ha

[johnkaysleftleg]

Lucky you again, beautiful weather! Wonderful views from the top and, I realised, that I have actually walked up here with my parents and brother so am going to update my hills

It's not a summit view your're going to forget in a hurry that's for sure, I'd have to say it's one of my faves.

We stayed at Criccieth in the very early 1960's and I remember it as being scorching hot

In Wales?!?

Wonderful photos of the water falls, they look so alive

What are they called?? ha ha

I'll let you try and pronounce it first

[clivegrif]

What a lovely day, and captured beautifully as always!

Certainly worth a return visit, and linking them up with the two hills to the north is not hard to do.

For the very energetic, (and young....) Moel Hebog can be climbed from the Cwm Pennant side and then linked to Moel yr Ogof, Moel Lefn and then the Nantlle Ridge to make a cracking - but long - day out.

Great stuff!

[johnkaysleftleg]

What a lovely day, and captured beautifully as always!

Certainly worth a return visit, and linking them up with the two hills to the north is not hard to do.

For the very energetic, (and young....) Moel Hebog can be climbed from the Cwm Pennant side and then linked to Moel yr Ogof, Moel Lefn and then the Nantlle Ridge to make a cracking - but long - day out.

Great stuff!

Cheers Clive, that does sound a mighty round, bit far for for me even when I was younger