Many people ignore the northern routes of Pumlumon Fawr, and fool them, because it’s on the northern side of the mountain that the best routes can be found. Also the northern carparks (they are not really carparks just lay-bys on the side of the road) are all free, so if the quality of route doesn’t fully attract you then the saving should be an incentive at the very least. The Nant-y-Llyn route has the advantage of avoiding the main path that leads to Llyn Llygad Rhediol, taking the walker along the less travelled and pathless valley that leads to the mountains little lake. For the unfit the route may prove quite difficult as the tussocky grass and boggy nature of the terrain can make progress difficult. Rough terrain aside, the route contains no sections of technical difficulty and should be doable for all hikers with an astute grasp of navigation, which is particularly important when visibility is poor.

Getting There

The only way to get to Pumlumon Fawr, and the start of this route, is along the A44, which runs between Aberystwyth (SN 583 185) and Llangurig (SN 908 798). Don’t bother with the southern side of the mountain; turn off onto an unclassified road at Ponterwyd (SN 749 808) and head north towards the Nant y Moch Reservoir. After around 6km turn right at a fork in the road (SN 762 864) and drive along the road until it ends. Park at the end of the road (SN 774 879), it’s impossible to drive any further anyway.

Llyn Llygad Rheidol

Route Description

From the parking space, wherever that may be along the road at Bryn y Beddau (SH 771 877), the route goes northeasterly direction following the road until a fork in the road and a gate is reached. It then crosses the gate and follows a broad track that contours along the side of Pumlumons lower slope. After about 1.5km the path crosses Nant y Llyn (SN 784 889), here the route leaves the path and follows the stream all the way to Llyn Llygad Rheidol (SN 791 878). The terrain is quite rough over this section of the route, with no path and plenty of grassy tussocks. After reaching Llyn Llygad Rheidol, the route follows a path on the western side of the valley in a northerly direction. After a distance of around 200m the route leaves the path, climbing the side of the mountain in a southwesterly direction, until it reaches a shallow col with Pumlumon Fach (SN 787 874) on the left hand side. It then contours around the western side of Pumlumon Fach, to another col which separates Pen Pumlumon Fawr (SN789 869) its smaller neighbour. From here the route is a direct climb to the summit of Pen Pumlumon Fawr, which reveals some of the best views in mid-Wales.

Essential Gear

Just a good pair of boots, waterproofs and some lunch. If walking in winter conditions make sure you also carry an ice axe and crampons.

Maps

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Navigation Maps

OS 1:25k Explorer Series 213 Aberystwyth & Cwm Rheidol
OS 1:50k Landranger Series 135 Aberystwyth & Machynlleth

Road Maps

OS Road Map 9 Wales/Cymru & West Midlands

Guidebooks

The Cambrian Way – the mountain connoisseurs walk by A.J. Drake
The Mountains of England and Wales: Volume 1 Wales (Cicerone Guide) by John and Anne Nuttall
Hillwalking in Wales Vol 1 (Cicerone Guide) by Peter Hermon
Hillwalking in Wales Vol 2 (Cicerone Guide) by Peter Hermon

External Links

Llyn Llygad Rheidol

Cwm Hengwm

General
Cambrian Mountains Society
Carmarthenshire County Council
Ceredigion County Council
Powys County Council
Countryside Council for Wales
British Geological Survey
The National Trust
CADW
Royal Commission on Ancient & Historical Monuments in Wales
Cefn Croes Wind Farm Campaign
Top Trumps
An explanation of Top Trumps

Bogs

Bog Snorkelling
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
The Wildlife Trusts: Water and Wetlands

Mountaineering and Climbing Organizations

British Mountaineering Council
The Climbers Club

Tourist Information

Welsh Tourist Board
Mid Wales Tourism Partnership
Carmarthenshire Tourist Board
Ceredigion Tourist Board
Powys Tourist Board
Leaping Stiles
Pentir Pumlumon

Local Towns

Builth Wells
Aberystwyth
Lampeter
Llandovery
Llandrindod Wells
Llanidloes
Llanwrtyd Wells
Machynlleth
Pontrhydfendigaid
Rhayader
Tregaron

Weather

Mountain Weather Wales
Weather from the Met Office
Weather Channel UK

Travel

Welsh Public Transport Information
Uk Train Timetable

Accommodation

Hillscape: The Self-guided Walking Specialists
Youth Hostel Association in Wales
Dolgoch Bunkhouse YHA
Tyncornel YHA
Mid Wales Campsites

Maps and Guidebooks

Ordnance Survey
Harvey Map Services
Cicerone Guidebooks
Climbers Club Guidebooks

Welsh Language

Welsh Language Board
Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg Welsh language pressure group
Cymuned Welsh language pressure group
Yr Urdd (Welsh Youth Association)
Welsh-English / English-Welsh online translator
Welsh-English / English-Welsh Online Dictionary
Welsh-English / English-Welsh Online Lexicon

Images