Pen yr Ole Wen - getting off

My plan is to cross from the Carnedds to Glyders, this time via Pont Pen-y-Benglog. The obvious route would involve dropping straight down from Pen yr Ole Wen to the A5 then on to Y Garn.

What is that drop like? - it looks a monster stomp and I'm worried my old knees wouldn't like it. Anyone done it lately?

You need to be aware that the path is not always obvious and sometimes seems to lead to tricky scrambles..... but you just need to remember there is never a need for tricky parts and there will be an easier route, which should be easily found by backtracking just a few metres

I would agree that the SE ridge is much nicer but that would take you away from  Pont Pen-y-Benglog.

Thanks chaps - I suppose I'll make my mind up when I'm looking down the hill. My cop out route would be SE ridge which doesn't take me far off route. I like that route anyway.

I've looked at the looooong drop down from Pen yr Ole Wen to the bridge from surrounding hills and wondered what it's like to do. Not to mention the direct route it offers. But if it's too much downhill, too steep, it just does my knees in - end of walkies! If I do go for it I'll take my time.

The direct route down to the A5 is OK. I have been up and down it many times.  Just keep an eye out for the path 50m or 100m below - there are several places where an easier route is available if you can spot it. It IS steep, so slow and steady . . .

The easiest start for Garn is to take the main dog-leg track to GR647598 then W around the N end of Llyn Idwal and an obvious route ascends towards Garn.

Have fun!