How to make a mistake from the carpark!!!! Yes like others we failed to spot the path going out of the back of the carpark and made for the river crossing



After about half a mile we realised our error and returned to the river and went up the side we were on so we could cross the bridge by the "Punchbowl". This was a bonus as we might have missed this tourist attraction. Here are few shots, definitely worth a detour, of course you can easily do it from the correct route






This added about an hour to our day and as we cycled we saw other examples of the damage to the track due to the storm. However as we were in a drought it wasn't a problem and we made good time and didn't bother with the alternatives to the riverside.

IMG_1546 by Paul Howard, on Flickr
In this next photo you can see where the 2015 storm has completely washed the track away.

When we got to the ford near the mountain, should we cross the river again???? we decided to cycle on, as the river was so shallow, & we wanted to save another half mile

We soon were able to park the bikes at the end of the track as we reached the tree line.

It didn't take long to leave the trees behind and follow a good track.

We made good time and met up a couple of young Asian men who starting their first adventure in climbing a mountain


As we got a bit higher we saw the lovely grasses which "Ponyexpress" insisted I photograph.

By now we were well onto the plateau. Ponyexpress wanted a few shots of the sense of remoteness and wilderness you get up here.


Here is a couple with Ben Avon in the distance.

Ben Avon tantalising close , at least it appeared so, but we had bagged it a few days ago from the other valley, going up by the Sneck.

And of course the Summit




Some wonderful views on the way back down


Descending the plateau.

Then a lovely ride out, with a lot of downhill, thanks for the bikes. As we were coming out we met this dad with his five year old son riding in for some wild camping. Dad was cooking bacon for their tea


A great day out not spoiled by the detour
