This is probably the shortest and most interesting hiking route to the summit of Glasgwm. It begins, where many of the trails for the Arans begin, at the Fawnog Fawr car park (SH 854 182) in Cwm Cywarch just below the mountains best feature – Craig Cywarch. The route follows the valley up to the pass between Glaswm and Aran Fawddwy, before following the line of the Aran Ridge to the mountain’s rounded summit. Although the mountain isn’t really much of a prospect for most hikers, this route is really quite nice and shows off the best Glasgwm has to offer.

Getting There

To reach the trailhead turn off the A470, which runs between Dolgellau (SH 729 181) in the west and Machynlleth (SH 748 008) in the south-east, at Dinas Mawddwy (SH 858 148) and take the road towards Aber-Cywarch (SH 867 157). Just after you cross the bridge at Aber-Cywarch turn left up an unclassified road signposted for Cwm Cywarch. Follow the road, which is narrow and winding, until you reach the parking area at Fawnog Fawr (SH 854 182). The route begins here.

Route Description

Leave the car-park by following the road north until it terminates at Blaencywarch Farm (SH 852 159). From here continue north along the footpath which gradually turns to the left along the north-eastern slope of Craig Cywarch. The path follows the contours of the valley, and after around a kilometre crosses a stream by a concrete footbridge. As you walk up the valley you will pass along the northern crags of Craig Cywarch, which terminate at the head of the valley. The path then follows the stream up the valley, and eventually, near the valley’s head, it crosses back over the stream. From here there gradient eases and the path follows a fence to the head of the pass and another fence which runs across the spine of the Aran Ridge. You will know you’re in the right place if you have just bypassed a small pond and the boggy ground that surrounds it. At the fence junction turn left, and follow the fence (the one which runs the length of the Arans) that leads up the northern slope of Glasgwm. The summit area is characterised by a couple of small lakes and is marked by a small cairn.

Upper Cwm Cywarch (Photo by Nanuls)

The footbridge (Photo by JoeHarris)

Summit of Glasgwm (Photo by JoeHarris)

Essential Gear

Naturally you will need all the paraphernalia associated with hill walking in Wales: full waterproofs, fleece, hat, gloves, map, compass and of course some lunch.

Maps

Extract from the Ordnance Survey 1:50k map of Glasgwm

Navigation Maps

OS 1:25k Explorer Series OL 23 Cadair Idris & Bala Lake / Llyn Tegid
OS 1:50k Landranger Series 124 Porthmadog & Dolgellau

Road Maps

OS Road Map 9 Wales/Cymru & West Midlands

Guidebooks

The Mountains of England and Wales: Volume 1 Wales (Cicerone Guide)
Hillwalking in Wales Vol 1 (Cicerone Guide)
Hillwalking in Wales Vol 2(Cicerone Guide)
Hillwalking in Snowdonia (Cicerone Guide)

Scrambles in Snowdonia (Cicerone Guide)
Scrambles and Easy Climbs in Snowdonia

Climbers Club Guide Wales: Meirionnydd
Rock Climbing in Snowdonia
North Wales Rock: Selected Rock Climbs in North Wales

External Links

Upper Cwm Cywarch (Photo by Nanuls)

Don't know if it's still there, but this was on the trail to the summit (Photo by JoeHarris)

General

Snowdonia National Park Authority
Council for National Parks
Association of National Park Authorities
Conwy County Council
Gwynedd County Council
Powys County Council
Welsh Tourist Board
Mid Wales Tourism Partnership
Snowdonia Society
Local Information from Gwynedd.com
Local Information from Snowdonia Wales Net
North Wales Index
Snowdonia-Active.com
Countryside Council for Wales
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
The National Trust
CADW
Royal Commission on Ancient & Historical Monuments in Wales
Gwynedd Archeological Trust
British Mountaineering Council
The Climbers Club
Snowdon Summit Blog
Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre
Hightreck Snowdonia

Weather

Mountain Weather Wales
Weather from the Met Office
Weather Channel UK

Travel

Welsh Public Transport Information
Uk Train Timetable
Welsh Highland Railway
Snowdon Sherpa

Accomodation

Youth Hostel Association in Wales
Bryn Hafod Club hut
Celyn Brithion Campsite in Dinas Mawddwy
Hotels and B&Bs around Dinas Mawddwy
Campsites around Bala
Hotels and B&Bs around Bala
Campsites around Machynlleth
Hotels and B&Bs around Machynlleth

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