The 
Tanet valley
Cadair Berwyn
2713ft (827m) 125-072327 SJ
Unnamed Peak
2723ft (830m) 125-072324 SJ
Moel Sych
2713ft (827m) 125-066318
SJ
Parking
Ample car parking in the village of Llangynog by the public
toilets in the centre of the village.
Maps
Landranger 126
Explorer 255 Langollen & Berwyn
At the village of Llangynog the Tanat valley splits into two
deep sided valleys. The one on the left cuts into the southern Berwyns and the
one on the right takes the B4391over the ancient pass across the Berwyns to
Bala.
The area around Llangynog has seen a great deal of mining and quarrying over the
years leaving the area dotted with numerous deserted drift mines and shafts.
Although nature has claimed back the area it still leaves the industrial
archaeologist many interesting sites to visit. The village is now only served
by road but it once even had its own rail link which served to take away the
minerals carved out of the hill sides by the hard working miners in the last
century.
During the 1860s, a series of small railways
were planned in the Welsh borders. In 1897 the Tanat Valley Light Railway was
approved and construction began in late 1899 and was largely complete by 1902. Although
passenger services were run from the official opening day, it was always
mineral traffic that provided the bulk of the railway's income. By the early
1920s the company was in severe debt and was acquired by the Cambrian Railway
company in 1921. In 1922 the TVLR became part of the Great Western Railway
company. Passenger services ended in January 1951, with most of the line being
abandoned in July 1952. The last goods traffic over the remainder of the TVLR
ceased in January 1964. There is still evidence of the line all the way down
the Tanet valley.
The Tanet valley bus service still runs regular buses services from Shrewsbury to Llanraeader.
The Route
From the car park turn left and the right and right again up a small lane
that runs along the bottom of the valley. On the far side of the valley you
will see the B4391 slowly climbing up the right hand side of the valley. If you
can see this you know you’re on the right lane.
This delightful lane is an absolute pleasure to walk along during the
spring, with many delightful spring flowers growing along the side of the lane
and small lambs frolicking in the pastures. Also watch out for evidence of the
mine shafts dotted along the left hand side of the lane. Most of these are
fenced off but you can still get quite a good impression of how dangerous this
occupation must have been.
The lane continues along the valley for about three miles before turning
left across a small bridge and onto a bridle track on the other side of the
valley. Follow the track up to the head of the valley to the top of the
waterfall on the left hand side. Here turn right where you will join the B4391.
Turn left along the road for about twenty or thirty yards were you will see a
track on your right, take this track.
After walking about twenty yards or so along this track you will see a track
leading off on your right. There is a notice board nearby giving information on
the area. Take the small track on your right and head off in the direction of
the main Berwyn ridge. This track runs across the vast area of moor land that
runs off the main Berwyn ridge. The track has been laid down with old railway
sleepers covered in netting in the areas where the ground becomes very boggy.
Please adhere to the path at all times, not just for safety reasons but to
preserve this area from erosion caused by man continuing to walk through an
area that has a delicate eco structure. Continue to follow the track across the
moor until you eventually pick up a fence that leads to the summit of Moel Syth
marked by a stone cairn.
Here turn left over the wooden ladder style and head north
down the col and up to the unnamed peak The ridge now continues Northwards with
moorland stretching to the West and a steep craggy drop to the East. The ridge
northwards is extremely boggy as it drops a little before climbing up to the
new unnamed highest point on the ridge. A stone outcrop that is probably one of
the best feature of the ridge. If the weather is clear and good, it's as well
to follow the tracks closer to the eastern edge, as this appears to be much
firmer. If the weather is bad with poor visibility stay closer to the fence
that runs along the ridge, otherwise you may need a parachute if your compass
reading isn't up to scratch. The strange feature of the Berwyns is that Moel
Sych and Cadair Berwyn are both marked down as being 827 metres high, with the
Trig point being placed on Cadair Berwyn, but the highest point on the ridge is
the small rocky out crop just South of the Trig point on Cadair Berwyn. This is
marked down as being 830metres high, and it's also a great place to have your
lunch on a nice day. Just below this outcrop on the Cadair Berwyn side is a
large windshelter carved out of a huge stone cairn, an ideal shelter on a windy
day.
After reaching
the trig point on Cadair Berwyn the ridge continues northwards for about
another mile to a small summit called Cadair Bronwen, which is about 780 metres
high. It was here according to Welsh legend that King Arther had is round
table. If this was true, all I can say is that it must have been a very
draughty in the winter.
Unless you are
very fit and you plan to extend the walk by a further three or four miles by continuing
to Cadair Bronwen, Retrace your steps back over the unnamed peak and down to
the col between the unnamed peak and Moel Syth. Here turn left down a small
track heading east into the valley. The track descends between a small lull in
the steep crags along the eastern edge of the Berwyns, it drops down past the
eastern side of Llyn Lluncaws over the grass and heather on to a ridge that
joins the Berwyn ridge at a right angle. Instead of continuing along this ridge,
turn right down the grassy slope to the lake. The track during the winter can
become quite boggy until you get to the lake. After reaching the lake the track
follows the stream down the valley heading south. Looking back towards the
ridge, one has a wonderful view of the mountain and the cascading crags
dropping down into lake below. There are two tracks that descend down the
valley, one hugs the left-hand side of the valley, and the other follows the
stream at the bottom of the valley floor. The easier path is the one that runs
down the side of the valley on your left. Just before the track continues
around the side of the hill opposite the falls, via right down a small track that
crosses the stream. You then take the path down to the car park by a small
café..
Now you can either spend a few moments in deep thought looking at the
cascading waterfall from the small bridge which crosses the river just below
the falls, or enjoy a nice cup of tea at the friendly little café watching the
wild birds feeding in the garden. The view from the garden is as spectacular as
you can get with the highest falls in Wales as its back drop.
After leaving the café take the track leading to the waterfall and cross the
bridge over the 
river, enjoying the view as you cross. Follow the path through
the woods passing fields filled with bluebells in the spring until you come to
the site of some old quarry workings. Here you will see a track that zigzags up
the side of the valley on your right. Take this until you reach the top above
the valley. Here a track will head south in the direction of Llanygnog Follow
the bridle track until you come to the head of a steep valley overlooking the
Tanet valley. Here you can take the gradual path down the valley on your right
or the direct track straight down to the base of the cwm. At the base of the
cwm you will find a number of drift mines that have not been fenced off.
DO NOT
VENTURE INTO THESE MINES AS THEY ARE VERY UNSTABLE AND DANGEROUS.
Cross the
small stream on your right and follow the track keeping right at all times
below the base of Craig Rhiwarth, a small hill that has suffered badly from the
hands of man. The path will lead you through some very pretty woodland bringing
you out onto the B4391. Turn left and it’s just a short walk to the car park on
your left.
Once you have stowed your kit why not enjoy a cool drink in one of the two
pubs next to the car park, after all you’ve earned it.
For Equipment and safety advice on the Mountains click Mountain Safety 