| FP = Footpath | BW = Bridleway | PP = Permissive Path |
| EWM = Event Waymark | PA/TK = Paths / Tracks | AH = Ahead |
| TR/TL = Turn Right/Left (90°) | HR/HL = Half Right/Left (45°) | CP = Checkpoint |
| RUPP = Road used as a Public Path | ||
| N, S, E, W = North, South, East, West | ||
Note:
FP,BW,RUPP are indicated by an official Waymark (WM) of some kind.
PA,TK are clear on the ground and usually shown on the map.
EWMs are indicated by red and white tape.
Bearings are magnetic. Grid Refs. are in BOLD.
Lake Vyrnwy to Llangynog — 9.8 Km (6.1 miles) + 340m (1115') — 2 hrs. 10 mins.
From the wooded shores and tranquil beauty of Llyn Efymwy to the lush depths of the Dyffryn Tanat, this stage offers some splendid Mid-Wales upland country which is seldom walked.
Start from the toilets at the S end of the Vyrnwy dam 016 191 and walk across the dam. TR on B4396 for 250m. TL at War Meml. up lane/RUPP with church on L, to pass rear of hotel. AH on BW with wooden building on L and TL on to FP at sheep pens, passing behind stone wall. AH on wide grassy FP with fence on L (EWMs) to descend steeply through wood to join TK/FP. TR to reach disused quarry in 400m. TL (EWM) on FP to cross stream by low wooden bridge. Only one person at a time please on this bridge. Ignore the earlier bridge on L before the quarry. Cross wet bottom to climb steeply on FP through scrub birch (EWMs) and exit into field at stile. TR to follow fence for 100m to reach and cross second stile on R at top of grass bank (EWM). AH (N) up valley and descend to stream beyond a stone embankment to ford stream with care. TL (N) up valley on FP to reach a small reservoir. Continue AH on E bank of stream. Cross wet grassland to reach an ancient grass TK/FP running W — E below rocky hill (458m). Climb to the summit cairn of this hill at 025 225 from any convenient point.
SELF-CLIP CHECKPOINT — No. 1
On 24° there is an obvious rocky escarpment 900m away, beyond the Bwlch Sych. Cross to the escarpment over wet grassland, crossing wire fence by broken ladder stile (EWM). Pass below (E) of escarpment on FP/sheep trod and continue AH (N) to edge of forest. TR (E) along the Ffordd Gefn to reach corner of cleared forest and cross stile. AH for 450m over low rise on line of RUPP, with wire fence on R. Move HL (EWM on fence) to find line of FP descending NE across side of Cwm Dwygo. This FP gives magnificent views of Cwm Pennant, Dyffryn Tanat and the distant Berwyn Ridge. From near Pengwem house, join either of two WM FPs and lanes to reach the B4391. TL into Llangynog village to reach the car park and toilets on R at 053 261, just past the New Inn.
MANNED CHECKPOINT - No. 2
Llangynog to Pistyll Rhaeadr - 5.1 Km (3.2 miles) + 410m (1345') - 1 hr. 15 mins.
Again on little-used Rights of Way, this stage can be tough but it follows a very scenic approach to the hidden jewel of the Berwyn, Pistyll Rhaeadr, the highest and finest waterfall in Wales.
TR (N) from the car park along the B4391 to cross river bridge and TR into lane in 150m. Take R fork (E) for 280m to reach a WM post and go HL on a rising PA. Note that this PA is well before the "BW" shown on the map. Pass below crags, cross some scree and reach a stile to pass through a small oak wood. An FP joins your "BW" from the R at a gate/stile. AH (N) on FP for 150m then HR to cross a stream, the Nant Sebon, at gate/stile in 40m. AH uphill to BW and gate/stile. TL (N) to reach gate/stile in 400m, just past a small stream (ford). TR immediately after this gate/stile and climb steeply on zig-zags of the BW, with the deep ravine of the Nant Ddial on your R, to reach a wide grassy bwlch. Cross the bwlch NE with WMs and EWMs at gates/stiles, to reach stone TK/RUPP at 074 282. TR (E) on downhill zig-zag of BW. At RH hairpin just above valley floor, TL in 20m down to FP. TL following fence and crossing stiles (WMs) to reach bridge below the waters of Pistyll Rhaeadr. Cross bridge and TR up to the Chalet Cafe car park and toilets 073 294.
MANNED CHECKPOINT - No. 3
Pistyll Rhaeadr to the "Wayfarer" memorial stone via the main Berwyn Ridge 9.8 Km (6.1 miles) + 625m (2050') — 2 hrs. 20 mins.
Not quite the M6 but this is certainly the most well-walked section of the range, rising to over 2700' with fine views all round, particularly NW to Snowdonia and NE to the Clwydian Hills.
Leave CP on road SE to walk for 800m to reach TK/FP at gate on L, where it joins the road. Under no circumstances attempt a short-cut by striking up the hill before this gate. AH on FP to fork then HR on rising traverse up the Nant y Llyn and cross this where FP ends. Check and replenish your water reserves at this point because there is no more for many miles. Follow PP (WM Cadair Berwyn) over grass and through peat to climb SE spur of Moel Sych. Take care on exposed upper section above crags but enjoy the views down to Llyn Lluncaws. Line of PP is dear and swings NNE to cross a ladder stile and reach shelter cairn on R (830m). Fence runs NNE along broad summit ridge to trig. point on Cadair Berwyn (827m) at 071 328.
SELF-CLIP CHECKPOINT - No. 4
Continue NNE along summit ridge for 1 Km, with fence on L and cliff top on R to reach gate/stile. Over stile to follow fence on R NW for 100m then N for 400m down to Bwlch Maen Gwynedd. Climb easily N for 500m to the prominent cairn on Cadair Bronwen (784m) at 077 346. Descend NE then N on obvious PP over broad, glutinous and peaty ridge, with occasional WMs. Reach the "Wayfarer" memorial stone and TK at 090 366 in about 2.5Km.
MANNED CHECKPOINT - No. 5
Should anyone need to retire at this point, having crossed the main ridge, he/she should recognise that the road head is a further 4 Km away ESE down the Nant Rhydwilym at Swch-cae-Rhiw 129 356), from where cars will eventually go back to Llangollen.
"Wayfarer' memorial to Ceiriog Forest - 8 Km (5 miles) + 70m (560') — 2 hrs. 05 mins.
Some wild and lonely country is crossed on this stage, at the headwaters of the Afon Ceiriog.
Leave CP on TK ESE for 100m to reach cattle grid. Go over this and through gate on L in 35m. AH on 6° to unnamed rocky top at 610m to reach fence. Cross the fence but please don't bust it! TR along the fence and follow it on a dampish PA not on the map, generally NE for 4.4 Km to the cairn on Moel Ffema (630m) 117 398. The trig. point on Moel Ffema has long since gone.
SELF-CLIP CHECKPOINT - No. 6
Return SE to stile and join PA and fence E to reach edge of cleared forest at 138 393. AH (E) on PA along N edge of cleared forest to tarmac TK exiting Ceiriog Forest at 148 393.
MANNED CHECKPOINT - No. 7
You will be retired at this CP and taken back to Llangollen if you arrive after 5.30pm.
Ceiriog Forest to Llangollen - 7.8 Km (4.8 miles) + 90m (295') - 2 hrs. 10 mins.
Panoramic views of the Eglwseg Rocks, the Dyffryn Ceiriog, the "blue remembered hills" of Shropshire and the Cheshire Plain, are the memorable highlights of this final stage.
From the CP, the PA is not shown on the map but it continues E on a well-defined line to reach the end of the standing forest in 1.6 Km. AH with fence on R for 700m up to Vivod Mountain. A fence comes in from the R to meet the one you are following at 169 400, near a tumulus. Cross the stile where the fences join and TR on to a wide PA running SE, with fence on R. AH (SE) for 700m to reach a mature larch coppice not shown on the map at 176 398. TL to join obvious TK/FP running NNW then ENE to the road at Ffynnon-las 196 410. Cross to join BW and AH down into Llangollen and the Country Kitchen Tea Rooms 214 420.
Congratulations on completing this year's BMW. Please take off your muddy boots and report to the Finish Marshal in the cafe, before enjoying the excellent food which Gareth and his team will have prepared for us.