Walking in the footsteps of giants: Tyrrau Mawr - Part 1... Cadair Idris, near Dolgellau, Gwynedd

Part One - Walking in the footsteps of giants... Although a pretty tough walk for anyone - such as The Citizen Cairn - approaching the 'twilight' of one's climbing years - the sheer scenic splendour to be savoured... like a Cordon Bleu meal... from the western summits of Cadair Idris ensures this is a classic outing. That is not all - a little additional effort will reward the modern antiquarian with an audience with two of the most triumphantly-sited Bronze Age cairns in all Wales, perched upon Carnedd Lwyd (SH6828 1352), before the final rise to Pen-y-Gadair itself. I do not partake this time (no, I've been before... and the views are just too intoxicating upon the summit. OK, and the energy is a little lacking...) but hopefully the viewer gets the gist? Furthermore, I do declare I spot another enigmatic monument cradled far below, upon Tyrrau Mawr's north-eastern shoulder (SH6812 1392)... One for the future, perhaps? The views are indeed truly first-rate, worth the very steep ascent from Hafotty-fach (not far from Llynnau Cregennen) many times over. However, it's not Nature alone that steals the show, since Tyrrau Mawr provides an opportunity to view a plethora of other prehistoric monuments in the extended locale: the exquisite hillfort Pared-y-cefn-hir looming above the aforementioned, picture-postcard wondrous Llynnau Cregennen; the Hafotty-fach cairns below to the west; Craig-y-Llyn and its funerary cairn, Twll-yr-Ogof (see separate video); The Tarrens to the south; Arans to the east... And that's just for starters. I stop-off for a look at the Hafotty-fach cairns in Part 2 as the legs begin to finally seize up.. here: @    • Tyrrau Mawr and Hafotty-fach, western Cada...   #wales #gwynedd #cadair idris #mountains #bronzeage