Campbell’s to Blaenau with views

This year’s mini-fest of walking began with a breezy walk to Bwlch Stwlan, along the miners’ tramway then across the plateau to Rhosydd. From here to Cwm Corsiog and up the ridge, with deep views of Cwmorthin, to Llyn Conglog whose fish were wiped out in the severe winter of 1947. In recent years members of the Cambrian Angling Club have carried some 25,000 baby wild brown trout by rucksack for release in what must be the highest fishing lake in Wales. 

Onwards from here it was virgin ground for me with great 360° views. From Allt Fawr, below us the wasteland of the Oakeley and Gloddfa Ganol quarries with Blaenau behind.  Across, the spectacle of downhill bikers, dropped at the top by yellow mini bus, snaking down the mountainside.  

We followed the ridge down onto and across The Crimea past ‘Esgidiau Meirw’, the pile of military surplus ‘dead boots’ burnt here at the end of the war.  All that remains are the rusty eyelets, nails and horseshoe bits for toe and heel. There was once a monumental stone, but that disappeared some years ago.  

Onwards up Moel Farlwyd then Moel Penamnen, down across the moorland to the incline above Maenofferen. Negotiating the path, overgrown with rhododendron ponticum, was not easy – must do something about this. Finally, into the centre of Blaenau with slate sculptures and a smart looking Gwesty Tŷ Gorsaf where once was a grotty Queens Hotel.

After seven hours of walk the tea and carrot cake of the Bridge Café were most welcome. Then steam back to Campbell’s? We missed our connection so Sue kindly picked us up.