Foel Fawr.

Another bright spring day that was perfect for our walk. We drove, actually I was in somebody else's car, and parked at Furnace from where we walked back across the main road,

and up through the woods beside the Afon Einion (the River Anvil).  

From there we had a good view of the waterfall built to channel water to the iron smelting furnace that still stands today. The current building dates back to 1755 but the earlier leadworks have been traced back to 1620

From the woods we joined the old turnpike road which took us even higher. The road winds its way up the hill but when given the option the group decided to take the much steeper and slippery path that went straight up the hill. 

After a short stretch back on the road we turned off across the hill known as Foel Fawr (Big Baldy).

We followed the grassy track along the side of the hill until we reached the rocky outcrop where we always stop for lunch. From there we had spectacular views out to the sea beyond Ynyslas while to the side was the River Dyfi nestling under the foothills of Snowdonia.

Down below us we could see a farmer rounding up his sheep.

And behind was the wild hillside.

After enjoying the sun and the views we carried on gradually winding our way back down into the valley. The grassy track deteriorated to a soggy, stony and steep mess which at times had us scrambling down rather than walking.

From there we re-joined the old turnpike road that ran along the base of the hill through some woods. Then back into the woods beside the furnace with a steep scramble down the hill to the main road.