Cwm Cynllwyd and Caer Gai 13th October 2007

Martyn above the valley we should have gone down behind and to the right!

The upper valley in Cwm Cynllwyd.

Dave J. and Richard checking the route down the east side of Cwm Cynllwyd.
Richard at the start of the Aran courtesy path.

Is this small hill above the barn the site of Caer Gai?

Walk stats: Distance: 11.4 miles; Climb: 1866'.
Time: 6 hours 4 minutes; Walking average: 2.3 m.p.h.; Overall walk average 1.9 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Richard and Dave J.

This walk turned out to have more surprises than we expected. The weather was mild and dampish, but never enough to require waterproofs. Everything went well at first, but we got carried away a bit when we had statred on the Aran courtesy path and ended by continuing upwards for about a mile and 600' climb more than we needed to. We put our mistake down to the fact that a guide postseemed to be missing. However we did get some better views than we would otherwise would have, and Richard had a close encounter with a labrador whose comment was "you must smell good!." Richard put it down to the Pure fabric softener. The views of the Arans were always clouded over, although we did get a glimpse of Aran Benllyn for a short period. The main part of the walk took us in to the heart of Cwm Cynllwyd, a beautiful secluded valley, we suspect is seldom visited by walkers - the footpaths could hardly be seen and in some parts did not exist in a form that could be detected.

The second part of the walk to Caer Gai was a little disappointing in that the courtesy path to the roman fort had for some reason been closed and we could only surmise that the small hill above was the location.

Birds seen or heard today included: Buzzard, Raven, Fieldfare, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Long-tailed tit, Blue tit, Robin, House sparrow, Herring gull, Magpie, Blackbird and Nuthatch.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Cholomendy Arms at Cadole. The beers sampled today were Woodland "Light Oak" and Thomas Wood's "Old Timber", not the best beers that we have tasted, but nevertheless welcome after a good walk.