The Alwen Reservoir, looking ferocious, water gushing through the dam, fog in the distance, so much drama. We decided Tuesday 28th January was the perfect day to go for a hike, I have had my eye on this Marilyn which goes off from the lake path, for a few months now. Ramblingartist had posted about this on Instagram, and I found her page whilst researching last month. She very kindly sent me some more details on how to find it, which was a fabulous help. I bought my favourite wrap from Sainsbury's, a double chocolate brownie, banana and a protein yogurt drink as well as squash to keep me going. Husband brought a chicken tzatziki wrap, two mini sausage rolls, a monster and squash, Flora got carrots and dog treats, as well as her own water to keep her hydrated. All kept together in my Proviz 20 litre day pack- amazing Christmas present (photo of husband wearing the bag, with its fabulous bright yellow waterproof cover on).
The Alwen is the largest man made lake in Wales, covering 900 acres of land. It was constructed between 1911 and 1920, it has a sister reservoir- Llyn Brenig just across the way. The Brenig has a visitor centre and is a much more active lake with more things going on, it even has toilets! The Alwen is more basic, there is a pay and display car park- which isn't taking card payments at the moment- annoying- no toilets, no visitor centre, just beautiful variable landscape. Llyn Brenig is 10 miles around, and the Alwen is just under 7 miles, but has more variety as well as hillier- in my opinion- and is better overall- again, just my opinion. There are several routes from the car park, and you can walk around both lakes if you wish- 14 miles in total, a part loop, 9.5 miles in total, or around each lake separately. I have been coming here since I was a little girl, before a path was made around and my dad would end up carrying me and my bike as I had had enough! Lots of lovely memories.
The Alwen is family friendly, though I think buggies may struggle over sections, it is a walking route- clockwise, and cycling- anti-clockwise, this is recommended to help avoid accidents between people and bikes, though not followed consistently, I always go the right way (always been a goody two shoes!). I love going across the dam as the start of this walk, straight into woodland, it feels like you are alone in the world and we don't tend to bump into a lot of people, unless we go on a weekend.
After wandering through the wooded section, we head up the big hill, which I used to have to stop multiple times to get up, and now can do it in one, albeit slowly! Then wandered off to find Mwdwl Eithin, my sixth Marilyn. We had no idea how far away the top was, and couldn't see more than 10-15 feet ahead due to the fog. This may have been a blessing and a curse, as you think, can't be much further and keep on going! We had been warned that it would be boggy, and of course this is January so it was extremely boggy, and foggy! We followed the fence line and a small pathway leading the way. Husband and Flora were marching ahead, he is very stable and sure footed, I was stumbling and loosing my feet in bog almost constantly, with some windmilling of the arms to maintain balance as I couldn't seem to put my foot on anything flat! The heather and moss mislead me about the terrain underneath. Anyway, I was miserable this entire part of the walk, feet got soaked and the bog did try and claim my walking trainers on several occasions, thankful for the tight laces! After what felt like hours of stumbling and a sharp uphill (makes sense, Marilyn's are meant to be high), we found the gap in the fence and managed to climb over.
Through the fog, we saw the biggest cairn I have ever seen, no way I was going to scramble to the top, so I just touched the side! There was also an old shelter, no roof, with a trig point. So, that was very exciting! Three things on one summit! We had some food before heading back to the lake. More moaning and misery from me. To the side is a picture of husband charging on ahead, a photo of him and Flora checking I hadn't given up and sunk into the bog below and the cairn coming out of the fog.
Once we finally found the lake path again (it was an easy to find path, it's literally a straight line back, but bog and undulating grounds continued to flummox me). I was in full pity party, misery mode until we got back to the main walk. Mood perked up again then. We continued down the other side of the hill, husband was flying along, and I was trotting to try and keep up- have I mentioned I have a fear of falling? Especially down hill? We got down to the bridge across the lake here, the water was really high and fog continued. Got a lovely photo of husband and Flora though!
Once over the bridge, we went up and headed towards more woodland- possibly my favourite part of the walk. You get proper fairy mushrooms here at the right time of the year (red topped with white spots, not sure of the technical name). It is pretty fantastical. As we walked up, it was obvious that recent storms (or trolls) had done a real number on the trees here, never seen so many upended before. They had blocked the path completely in one spot, but a very short detour led us back to where we should be. After more woodland, a nice stretch close to the actual lake and another bit of woodland, you end up walking on roads for the forestry commission, this is less fun and large expanses are cut down trees so not as pretty. But easy enough to wander through. Very muddy at the moment, as they are clearly doing a lot of haulage in this area. Was very excited to turn through the final woodland section, and then see the car! Feet were still damp, but not too bad overall. Finished eating in the car before heading home, damp but satisfied.
Here are some stats:
Time: 3.33.02
Distance: 8.41
Steps: 22,583
Elevation: 895 feet
In comparison to my walk here in November- where we walked quickly but did not detour, we took an hour and 19 minutes longer, usual distance is less than 7 miles (6.76 on map my walk), so the Marilyn added on 1.65 miles to the walk. There was also 291 feet in elevation extra on this walk, with an extra 6,733 steps. Interesting!
Add comment
Comments