The Taith Ardudwy Way is a low-to-mid level waymarked trail that traverses the ancient commote of Ardudwy, a mediaeval administrative area, through the western fringes and foothills of the Rhinogydd. It passes sites of historical interest and presents wide coastal and mountain views.
After the sweltering exertions of the Arenig trip last month, this modest trail gave an opportunity for a more relaxed backpack over three days allowing two half days for travelling. Most of the trail is on excellent easy tracks and paths, virtually deserted and well waymarked apart from one critical point noted in the description. Just one short section had harder, slower going due to the bracken: this stretch had the best heather and rock scenery of the route but, when the flowers are resplendent with colour, the bracken is at its most vigorous and over head-height, swallowing the path and some of the marker posts and hiding the rocks.
Our expectations were exceeded here, particularly in the wild northern section that has splendid easy walking, the highlight being a superb pitch on the first night at Llyn Eiddew-bach at the foot of the rough Rhinog heartland. Another fine spot on the second night was the pitch at LLyn Irddyn below the craggy facade of Llawlech.
An intriguing route through some of the UKs wildest terrain. Love the Rhinogs and have often toyed with an end to end backpack as the transport links at either end are good – just such a wild place to walk through.
Bracken!! Aaaargh!
Thanks Andy.
It was quite odd walking a very easy path knowing that just above lies the roughest terrain south of the border.
I too have thought of reprising our traversal route of the main ridge (as far as Diffwys) from 2004, but my own report of the time warns about its toughness and that was 17 years ago – gulp!.
I’ve walked the main summits but never the section to the north which I hear is seriously rough going. And that’s compared to the 1 mile between the two Rhinogs which is one of the most challenging sections of wild walking I’ve ever done and that includes a good part of Scotland. Its the concentration needed to watch your feet on the very narrow paths and making sure you stay on them as well as the simple rough nature of the terrain. Good though!