Drum (770m) aka Y Drum (The Ridge) is a great walk in the Northern Carneddau. Starting from the high pass at Bwlch y Ddeufaen, you gain a lot of height before you even start, making this one of the easiest ways to get a taste of the higher hills in the Carneddau.
How long is the walk up Y Drum?
- Distance: 7.23 km
- Ascent: 389m
- Time: 2.5 – 3 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Start/Finish: Bwlch y Ddeufaen car park (SH 720 715)
- Maps: Explorer OL17
What’s the drive to the start like and where do you park to go up Y Drum?
The road from Rowen is narrow and steep in places, so keep an eye out for passing places. The bonus is that the car park (clearly marked with a P symbol on OS Maps) sits at around 430m, so you’re already well up the hillside before you start walking. There’s a few different roads and tracks leading to the car park road – stick to yellow roads as there is an extremely bumpy track your sat nav might try and take you on that’s actually not necessary at all as their are tarmac roads all the way.
The Route up Drum
Go through the gate and follow the wide track heading west. This is the old Roman Road. It’s easy to follow and gives you a gentle start.
After going through the gate and getting a glimpse of the Irish Sea, Anglesey and Puffin Island, take the clear path rising to the left. You may see Carneddau ponies grazing once through this gate. I’ve never not seen them when I’ve walked in this area of the Carneddau.
A stone wall runs on your right, you’ll follow this wall and fence line all the way to the top. It’s a useful guide in poor visibility. Make sure you check the weather use my best mountain weather app advice.
Carnedd y Ddelw
The slope eases briefly as you reach Carnedd y Ddelw. It’s only a short detour to the cairn and gives good views back to the coast and lots more interesting rocks.
Carnedd Penyborth-Goch – The Stone Shelter at the Summit of Y Drum
Continue following either the fence line that can be a bit boggy or a slightly lower path up to the top of Y Drum. On the map you will see written Carnedd Penyborth-Goch – this is the name of the shelter, or more accurately the prehistoric cairn that was originally there. The storm shelter is accessed through a gate in the fence.
Y Drum Means ‘The Ridge’ in Welsh and that’s a perfect description for this walk which if continued will take you along a ridge all the way to the larger Carneddau Mountains.
The route I’ve plotted is out and back to Drum but if you leave early enough this is a great way to get into the bigger Carneddau, with Carnedd Llwewelln just a an hour or so further on.
If you want to do more in the Carneddau take a look at my Carnedd Traverse – Ogwen Valley to Conwy Castle
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