Saturday 10 July 2021 - The Precipice Walk, Foel Cynwch and Foel Offrwm

Today we drove 20 miles or so towards Dolgellau, parking at the 'Precipice Walk' car park. Currently FOC but according to a Park Ranger, parking charges will soon be coming.

I recall this walk from many years ago. A fine, short outing around a small hill, Foel Cynwch. Bell heather and stonechats kept us company as we strolled along the belvedere with precipitous drops to our right.

We decided to pop up to the summit. Once on the ridge it was an easy stroll; climbing and descending through head high bracken to and from the ridge was a different matter.

The views towards Barmouth and Cadair Idris were excellent, despite the cloudy day.

Towards the end of the circuit we arrived at Llyn Cynwch, the small reservoir that supplies water to Dolgellau. 

We returned to the car park (if not the car) after a pleasant lakeside stroll.

The circuit is about 6km in an hour and a half. Add 1km and half an hour for an excursion to the summit.

After a second cuppa, we set off on another fine path past trees carpeted with moss.

There were more fine views, and we paused for lunch. Bog pimpernel carpeted the damp ground beside the path.

There was a waymarked path leading to the summit of Foel Offrwm ('the hill of sacrifice'). Well worth it for the wayside benches and for the views.

There are Iron Age structures up here  as well as a massive summit cairn. In the 15th century family rivalries led to the murder of one Howel Sele, who haunts from the oak tree in which his body was hidden. Branches of the tree have been known (it is alleged) to reach down and strangle passers-by. 

With clouds threatening and after a long chat with a Park Ranger, we sped back down the hill - a 4.5km outing plus 1.5km to the summit and back. Allow an hour and a quarter for the circuit, plus 45 minutes for a visit to the summit.