There was supposed to be a break in the rain showers today, and since next week will be busy, I chose to head back into Elan valley. There was a route that went up from the end of Caban-coch reservoir and up to Drygarn Fawr, looping back down Rhiwnant stream. This was described in both the OS and kittiwake guide books.
I drove around the reservoir and parked in the parking space above the farm drive at the end of the lake.
I was heading for the gorge between the hills on the far side of the river. crossing over this via the rickety bridge.
A sharp zigzag beside the farm buildings and along the track heading towards Claerwen reservoir, before peeling off along a farm track over the shoulder and into the gorge.
The track climbed along the side of the gorge, before peeling off along a tributary valley,
Passing a number of waterfalls and up tot eh first "false" summit, where the steep side shallows.
Continuing along the track - now a footpath - continuing along the side of the stream (Nant Paradwys).
The map shows a second path cutting over along the stream, but my path curved along the slope to the left.
Now up on the faint ridge line and along to Bwch y Ddau Faen. The cairn of Carnau showing where I was going.
Along to the cairn on Carnau. Then turning right with the double cairns of Drygarn Fawr. The wind up here was fierce and a bit of drizzle.
Across the tussocky moorland between the summits. This was a little boggy in places. There was no real track, just following sheep tracks, until I met a quadbike track.
Following the track as it wound along the faint ridge to the first of the cairns
Then the more defined ridge leading to the second cairn and the trig point hiding behind it.
Looking back to the first cairn, while hiding from the wind.
Looking south towards the Brecon beacons
Looking north across the Elan moors.
Back along the ridge following my tracks outward. Just beyond the point where I joined the quadbike track, time to work out where to split off. The drizzle was coming and going all along the tops.
Splitting off to head for Carreg yr Ast, since there was no obvious path heading down Nant yr Ast.
Then it was off-piste across the tussocks dropping down towards the gorge of Rhiwnant.
Following sheep tracks dropping down to the stream in the bottom of the gorge.
Here I could follow a sheep track along the side of the stream.
Along the side of the stream as it winded down through the gorge. On the far side were a series of waterfalls.
Through the remains of the old mines, and down to a ford. I had hoped to cross here, but the stream was too high.
I followed the stream further down and was surprised to find a bridge. Over this and onto a farm track on the far side.
The track went through a gate into pasture, but I followed the fence (staying in the open access area). A steep climb up to the ridge above.
There was supposed to be a bridleway down here, but it was just a mess of bog and running water. I climbed a fence and waded down to the farm driveway.
Down the drive to Rhiwnant farm
Onto the back road and back to the farm where I started off, along the path to Claerwen reservoir. The rain which had threatened all day started to get heavier.
