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Little-visited and remote mountains, and something of a mixed route – an interesting climb to a surprisingly characterful peak, but then more of a struggle afterwards...
From the road-end to the south, a solid forest road winds easily up through the conifer plantation – indeed, if short of time (or inclination!), you could perhaps even drive the first and last mile or so of this route. It’s then a really good climb up beside the wall to the summit area of Rhobell Fawr – firm going, very craggy territory for the Arenigs, and some steep little rocky faces that require half-scrambles. Good wide views from the top, even beneath a darkening sky, and altogether a very pleasant hour or so’s walking.
- Aran ridge
- Rhobell Fawr
- Rocky terrain ascending Rhobell Fawr
- Rhobell Fawr summit
- Dduallt from Rhobell Fawr
- Snowdonia from Rhobell Fawr
- Arans from Rhobell Fawr
- Glasgwm from Rhobell Fawr
Dduallt, its rock top picked out white in the sunlight, looked very attractive from here. The route east across there starts off reasonably well – a very steep but manageable descent, and then (surprisingly, given expectation and some reports) a really clear waymarked, if slightly spongy, path penetrating the conifers. Things take rather a turn for worse afterwards though... the ascent of Dduallt, apparently pathless and through a sea of thick vegetation and wet bog, is a real head-down gritted-teeth slog. Rock breaks through only at the top, and it is a blessed relief to rest there before taking on the descent.
- Descent of Rhobell Fawr
- Start of the route through the forest from Rhobell Fawr to Dduallt
- Southern slopes of Dduallt
- Llyn Tegid from Dduallt summit
- Arenigs from Dduallt
- Cadair Idris from Dduallt
- Rhobell Fawr from Dduallt
There doesn’t seem an obvious return to the start other than retracing your steps. Following the vague ridge south from the peak before cutting back to the forest corner seems to take some of the worst parts out, but it’s still pretty rough going. And in honesty, although they are sometimes decried, a leg-easing tramp down a deserted road through the forest (this, clear and open to the skies, isn’t really one of the bleaker examples) for the last half-hour or so can sometimes feel rather a relief...
- Forest road descending Rhobell Fawr
For the many who haven’t been to this area, Rhobell Fawr is pretty highly-recommended and well worth a visit; Dduallt – certainly this way – perhaps a little less so...