FOEL FADIAN and the CLYWEDOG VALLEY.4-7-12.

I drove down to Dylife with Howie and Clive to walk in an area that i have wanted to visit for a long time.Parking across the stream from the Star Inn we first visited the ruined St. Davids church,this was demolished in 1962,the last marriage there was in 1915 and Christening in 1926.

Crossing the main road we followed the Afon Twymyn upstream through the remains of the lead mine. Passing the dressing floor where the ore was crushed a short distance away was a pit,the remains of  Rhod Goch (Red Wheel),more commonly known as the Martha Wheel.Erected in 1851,this wooden waterwheel had a diameter of 63 feet and over 3 feet wide making it the largest waterwheel in mainland Britain and one of the largest in Europe.

A short distance away is the Llechwedd Ddu Engine Shaft with parts of the pumping rod visible.

Above it is the Great Dylife Adit.

We crossed the river and passed a smaller adit then waded through a boggy stretch and followed a gully up to a lane.The remains of a leat which supplied the Martha Wheel with water was then followed up to the waters and dam of Pwll Rhydyporthmyn.

It started raining here and the boys got their wet gear on and i put my umbrella up.We continued up the lane to reach the main Dylife to Machynlleth road where we turned left and headed for Foel Fadian,seen below.

This steep road was followed for over a mile to reach the Wynford Vaughan-Thomas memorial.The memorial was constructed after his death and has him pointing towards Snowdon,he said that this was the best view in Wales from this spot.

Originally the top was made out of slate it has been vandalised and stolen and is now made out of plastic.We entered a field and walked the short distance uphill to reach the trig point on top of Foel Fadian which stands at 1,850 feet.The views are suppose to be amazing from here,but sadly not today.

We dropped down to pick up the Glyndwr Way footpath above the spectacular Dulas Gorge just as the cloud dropped.We took our dinner here in the hope it would clear,but it never did.We next visited Glaslyn.Standing near its information board even though the lake is only about 50 metres away we could barely see it.

Continuing on the Glyndwr Way we reached the breached dam that supplied water to the Dyfngwm Mine.

Near here is the remains of the Cyfarthfa Copper and Lead Mine which closed in 1840.

We now picked up the Afon Clywedog and followed this to enter the impressive gorge.At first the path stays close to the river but then we climb higher as the river drops away below us.

Castle Rock.

Leaving the valley we next visited Pen y Crocbren and its Roman Fortlet just seen in the photo below.

We then followed a track back to the car.Below,the photo shows Dylife (and my car),it is hard to believe that in 1857 over 1,000 people lived here,there were 2 chapels and 1 church,a school,3 inns and 92 houses.

The distance of this walk was 8 miles with a total ascent of 1,500 feet.

MILEAGE WALKED       296
ASCENT                          70,600
TOPS                                67.