Pen Bwlch Llandrillo

Mountain / peak

Explorer Tom

Pen Bwlch Llandrillo crowns a Berwyn hill above the Dee and Llynor valleys, with a cairn on an old upland way. I thought a pass with such a grand name might have a ceremonial gate; it offered a bridleway, a steady climb and no committee to check whether I had polished my boots. The high point is about 595 metres above sea level. A walking club route starts at Llandrillo, climbs on lanes to a bridleway and follows old drovers' ways toward the cairn near the top. In fine weather, it overlooks the Dee, Llynor and upper Ceiriog valleys. It returns through woodland and farmland. This mapped point is the named Pen Bwlch Llandrillo top, not the village car park or one of the other Berwyn peaks. The published group walk covers about 15 kilometres and 530 metres of ascent, mostly on broad bridleways with shorter sections on lanes and field paths. Use a current map because a group itinerary is not a permanent promise about every gate or sign. Check weather and legal access before leaving the bridleway; Natural Resources Wales shows where additional open-access rights apply. Even a broad track can be hard to follow if cloud lowers onto the hill. Wear boots, take warm layers and allow a full day for the longer circuit. Watch for livestock and leave farm gates as you find them. At the cairn, give yourself a moment to see how the valleys join and part below. Pen Bwlch Llandrillo turns an old working route into a fine walking reward. I found no ceremonial gate, but the wind did inspect my boots rather closely.