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Saturday 17 May, 2025
Black Dogs and Broomsticks
The two main hills we’ll be walking, are Pen yr Helgi Du (‘Head/Hill of the Black Hound’) and Pen Llithrig y Wrach (‘The Slippery Peak of the Witch’)
This is a strenuous mountain walk, but if the weather is kind we’ll be rewarded by amazing views.
Our minibus will take us to the Ogwen valley, where we will walk up the access track to Ffynnon Llugwy reservoir, then follow the narrow Bwlch Eryl Farchog to climb steeply to the summit of Pen yr Helgi Du (833 m / 2,733 ft). From here its down and up for a mile to the summit of Pen Llithrig y Wrach (799 m / 2,621 ft). We’ll follow its back ridge down to the dam of Llyn Cowlyd, then return to Trefriw over the ridge of Cefn Cyfarwydd (492 m / 1,614 ft).
(The picture is taken from Pen Llithrig y Wrach, looking back at Pen yr Helgi Du, with beyond it the higher Carneddau mountains.)
Duration: All day. Please bring a packed lunch.
Distance: 10m / 16 km
Grade: Strenuous mountain, with nearly 3,000 ft (900m) of ascent in total. This mountain walk will include some uneven rocky ground, sometimes wet and slippery underfoot with a couple of very short short ‘clambery’ sections, and exposure in a couple of places.
Suitability: Fit and experienced hill walkers. Participants must be used to coping with rough terrain and long walks in the mountains. Remember that it can be cold at altitude, even in May; please bring warm, waterproof clothing, including hat and gloves, and suitable sturdy boots.
Departure time: 08:30 a.m. from Trefriw Village Hall (LL27 0JH, SH781631)
Minibus out, walking back to Trefriw
Refreshments will be available in the Hall both before and after your walk. (See ‘our cafe’.) Please stay and socialise!
Walk Leaders: Keith Hulse, Paul Newell & Mike Bolsover
Click on the map to see the rough location of this walk.
Booking: To book a place, please click on the Eventbrite button below (opens in a new tab).
Booking opens 15th March
Please ensure that you have read the booking information, terms and conditions before you attend any walks.
Please note that, although we make no charge for our walks, we do ask for voluntary donations (card preferred, but cash accepted). More details on our funding page.