Chris Bonington Overview

• Distance: 6.5 Miles

• Walking time: 3 hours 45

• Elevation: 489 m

• Start point: Eisteddfa Gurig

• Walk grade: Moderate (Grade 2)

• Best time: Spring, summer, early Autumn

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Section 1

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Start at Eisteddfa Gurig farm car park, named such after Saint Curig a Celtic Roman Catholic bishop and saint of Wales during post Roman times. If without a car it plays host to the X47 Bus stop opposite. From the car park/farm walk through to the farms rear and then bare right to meet with the track that follows the river Tarennig, which will be on your right. Keep following the river to another right turn. The Tarennig is an invigorating mountain stream and a Wye tributary (see river Tarennig Diary) and it will keep you company until you turn off left. Fast paced it's fed by other streams coming in off the mountain. If walking on a wet day or post a good rain this is a wild water world.

 

Section 2

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After looking back at the impressive views and having passed the old Plynlimon or Pumlumon Led Mine (Pumlumon meaning 5 peaks in Welsh) the turning left up to the summit will emerge forming a kind of fork. It's a winding trail that's fairly well trodden so you shouldn't get lost especially as there are marker cairns to assist also. Stop and start because as you ascend the Wye Valley begins to emerge in the distance. It's a liberating space so just enjoy as the steps over the ridgeline fence beckon the summit trig point and ancient burial cairns that form one of the most interesting summits and the highest in Mid Wales. 

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Section 3

 

Once at the summit of Plynlimon Fawr at a height of 752 meters (2,468 Ft) settle down and take in the 360 visual feast that is the Welsh interior. It's mountainous and brimming with interesting features to identify from mountains through to the Nant Y Moch Reservoir, the Welsh Coast and Aberystwyth to the West. Descending South is easy. It's a long stretch along a whale back ridge until you reach the outer edge of Dyll Faen forest plantation. Just bare left at it's corner and follow the trail and track down until you come to a cross track about 1 KM in. Bare left here until you reach the farm. 

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Wye Source Extension

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Follow the same route up to the summit. Once at the summit take a bearing North/North East along a fence line for 1KM. until the fence forms a corner. Just beyond here is a slate marker leaning as if blown by the wind. Turn East and walk 250 meters as if at 10-11 o clock. After 200 meters the terrain starts to slope. You have reached the source of the Wye. You should hit the gullies. You are looking for the furthest gully to your left or front. Enjoy the Wye and make your way back to the summit of Plynlimon. 

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Spec N Stats

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Start: Eisteddfa Gurig    Climbing: 335 Meters    Distance: 6.5 Miles    Time: 2 Hours   Walking Grade: 3 

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Summary

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With well laid out tracks until the turn off then a marked trail to the summit the Chris Bonington Trail on its own or including the Wye source requires moderate effort to walk. We've said 2 hours walking pace but with some time taking in the views and space it may well be longer. It certainly will be taking in the Wye. For this you can add another 1 Hour 45 minutes. There's industrial heritage along the way and what with the mountains river system via the Tarennig also the initial trail forms an interesting interior. All in all it's a stimulating and later an awe inspiring walk with or without the Wye source. 

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Some Links

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River Wye. Click. Britains 5th longest river and most uninterrupted. 

Plynlimon Project. Click. A project to restore Plynlimon.

Cambrian Mountains Society. Click. All things Cambrian Mountains.

Hydrological Study. Click. Plynlimon water catchment.

Plynlimon Led Mine. Click. Industrial history. 

Chris Bonington. British climber and pioneer.