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OS Grid ref: SH 76632 23091
Lat/Long: 52.790937, -3.829718
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Set off around 05:45am and walked down the lane then
continued along the lanes to the village of Llanfachreth. I was
surprised to see a large car park on the approach to the
village. I passed the interesting looking Vaughan Cottages with
an 1812 datestone. |
Llanfachreth, Vaughan Cottages. |
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Further on was the war memorial where I headed downhill and over
the river. Out in the fields was a farmer on a quad bike
checking his sheep. As he came closer we exchanged waves and I
continued up to the large deserted car park. I left the road and
followed the path heading south along the west side of Foel
Offrwm. |
Llanfachreth War memorial |
Llanfachreth by H Gastineau. |
Looking back to Cadair Idris. |
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It was an easy path but I didn't want to stay on it too long as
my objective was the Iron Age Hill Fort on the summit. I Saw a
faint diagonal sheep track heading up the mountain so followed
it up to a flat area. There was no path but the ground was easy
enough. I continued east until I reached the wall heading north
south. Turning left I continued easily upwards until I saw the
large square stone cairn marking the summit and on the line of
the fort wall. The sky continued clear and blue with great
panoramic views. There was little more than a sheep track on the
south approach but as I started to descend to the north I was
following the main path that comes up from the car park. |
Foel Offrwm Iron Age Hill Fort. |
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There were still wet patches of dew and some frost on the
ground so I had to beware of slipping on the steep descent. I
reached the main circular path around the mountain but left it
to continue down to a wall and field where I joined a grassy
track near the property of Pen-y-ffridd. Turning fight I
followed it through the trees until I reached the road. |
Old lane on the descent. |
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At the Bontnewydd road I came to the stone arch across the road.
It was paid for by Robert Williams Vaughan (1768 -1843) the
second baronet who ruled the surrounding countryside with
benevolent autocracy for over 50 years. To relieve unemployment
after the Napoleonic wars he built several roads and across the
area. The arch is called "Y Garreg Fawr" (the Great Stone)
because of a huge stone brought from Harlech that forms the
span. Turning left I came to the gate back up to my car. |
Extensive sheepfold. |
"Y Garreg Fawr" (the Great Stone) |
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