Cwm Pennant Circular Walk, Snowdonia
Gwynedd
Cwm Pennant is one of the most beautiful and least visited valleys in Eryri (Snowdonia), a deep glacial cwm cut between the Nantlle Ridge and the Moel Hebog massif. This dog friendly circular walk climbs from the lonely valley head over Bwlch Cwm Trwsgl onto Mynydd Drws-y-coed and the eastern end of the Nantlle Ridge, dropping back down through the old slate quarries to the start.
The terrain is genuine mountain ground, with rough open hill, rocky scrambling sections on the ridge and old industrial paths on the descent, exposed to weather and demanding navigation skills in cloud. Most of the route is access land where dogs can be off lead, but sheep graze the lower slopes and ground-nesting birds use the upper hill so dogs should be on the lead between 1 March and 31 July. There are no facilities anywhere in the cwm, carry food and water for both you and your dog. Limited free parking at the head of the valley.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 13.0 km (8.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Duration
- 6 hr
- Walk Type
- Peak, Moorland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None in the cwm, dog friendly Cross Foxes pub at Tremadog for post walk meals.
- Parking
- Limited free roadside parking at the head of Cwm Pennant, around 5 spaces, fills early.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cwm Pennant Circular Walk, Snowdonia dog friendly?
Yes, Cwm Pennant Circular Walk is a dog friendly route, rated 7 out of 10 on our dog friendly scale. It's a genuine mountain circuit through one of Eryri's quietest and most beautiful valleys, taking in the Nantlle Ridge and Moel Hebog massif — a wonderful adventure for dogs and owners who are happy on serious hill terrain.
Can dogs be off lead at Cwm Pennant Circular Walk, Snowdonia?
Most of the route crosses access land where dogs can roam off lead, which makes for a wonderfully free-ranging mountain day. That said, sheep graze the lower slopes and ground-nesting birds use the upper hill, so dogs must be kept on the lead between 1 March and 31 July — a seasonal restriction worth planning around if you're visiting in spring or early summer.
What should I know before visiting Cwm Pennant Circular Walk, Snowdonia with my dog?
This is proper mountain ground — expect rough open hill, rocky scrambling sections on the ridge, and old industrial paths on the descent, all exposed to weather and requiring solid navigation skills in cloud. There are no facilities whatsoever in the cwm, so carry enough food and water for both you and your dog. Parking is limited to around five free roadside spaces at the valley head and fills early, so an early start is advisable. If you're after a post-walk meal, the dog friendly Cross Foxes pub at Tremadog is your nearest option.
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