The Manods & Moel Penamnen from Blaenau Ffestiniog

Walk Summary

The initial intention was to complete these summit as two separate

The days first summits to do. Manod Bach (l) and Manod
Mawr (r). Taken from A470 on way to Blaenau Ffestinig

walks but as I inexorably progress to the end it strikes me that a.) there are not many multi-Nuttall days remaining and b.) it is not very efficient as with the shortening days, without a really early start I am not going to manage all of the hills over two walks in one day.
That decided all I had to do was link the two summits Manod Mawr and it's northerly namesake Manod Mawr North Top. The problem being the Graig-Ddu and Manod Quarries in between the two summits. Graig-Ddu gradually eating its way into the south slopes of Manod Mawr North Top.
Judging by the size of Graig-Ddu it looks like 1/3 of the mountain has been removed over the years so one of these days it may be possible the summit may be devoured. I hope not.

Beautiful sunset on drive along A470
back to Coed-Y-Llwyn Caravan Club Site

Pretty much a standard days walking in as much as the walked route was close to the planned route. A little difficulty finding the start of the path to the north of Manod Bach, a steep and interesting descent to Llyn y Manod then the diagonal ascent up the west side of Manod Mawr taking care not to follow it too far north. The expected problem to find a route between Manod Mawr and it's North Top had it's difficulties though not too bad, managing to find a short cut along the access road between the two quarries.
Between Manod Mawr North Top and Foel-fras is a high level moor reminiscent of a mini version of the N. Yorks Moors, with just a couple of hags and groughs to box round, followed by a steep ascent up the final Nuttall of the day up Moel Penamnen. An even steeper descent to Llynnau Barlwyd reservoir brought me to the final ascent up  Moel Farlwyd.The day finished as it began with difficulties finding the PROW on the ground through dis-used quarries but again not too bad. All in all a satisfying day.

Walk Statistics

Walk Date - 11 October 2016
Walkers - Steve Smith
Accommodation - Coed-Y-Llwyn Caravan Club Site
Start Point - Car park at Bethania end of High Street, Bleanau Ffestiniog (SH 70625 45510)
Start Time - 10:55
Finish Point - Car park at Bethania end of High Street, Bleanau Ffestiniog (SH 70625 45510)
Finish Time- 17:35
Total Duration - 6hrs 40mins 
Overall Average pace - 1.55mph
Total Distance Walked - 10.31 miles
Total Height Ascended - 1006.35metres

Peaks visited
Nuttalls (189W - 444E&W)
Manod Mawr (166W - 421E&W)
Manod Mawr North Top (167W - 422E&W)
Moel Penamnen (168W - 423E&W)
Hewitts (138W - 317E&W)
Manod Mawr (117W - 297E&W)
Manod Mawr North Top (118W - 298E&W)
Moel Penamnen (119W - 299E&W)
Marilyns (158W - 1556E,W&S)
Manod Mawr (94W - 262E,W&S)
Deweys (241W - 421E&W)
Manod Bach (53W - 109E&W)
Foel-fras (54W - 110E&W)
Moel Farlwyd (55W - 111E&W)
HuMPs (364W - 2975EW&S)

Manod Mawr (109W - 344E,W&S)
Moel Penamnen  (110W - 345E,W&S)
Historic County Tops (413E - 93E,W&S)
NONE

W: Wales. 

E,W: England & Wales. 
E,W&S:England,Wales & Scotland

Other walks on this trip
2016
October
07^th Calf Top
08^th Moel Siabod
09^th Yr Aran & Gallt y Wenaullt
11^th The Manods & Moel Penamnen from Blaenau Ffestiniog
12^th The Cnichts
13^th Moel Hebog - The Beddgelert Three
14^th Moel-y-Gest
15^th Five Nuttalls of the Central Rhinogs
18^th Rhobell Fawr & Dduallt
19^th Rhinog Fawr from Cwm-bychan Farm

21^st Gorllwyn & Drygarn Fawr
22^nd Pen y Garn
22^nd Bryn y Fan
24^th Foel Goch and the four Deweys from Bala C&CC campsite
25^th North West Arans

Route

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More Photographs

Looking north to Moelwyns Mawr & Bach on way to Manod Bach from Blaenau Ffestiniog

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