Sychnant Pass XC Loop

Distance: 4.6 miles (many extensions possible)

Ascent:  214 metres

Surface: Off-road

My favourite trail running loop! A large proportion of my runs take on some variation of this route (or in reverse). Great for a post work run, enough climbing to get you working but without ever getting too high or going to far from civilisation. Excellent for bad weather as navigation is straightforward and you are never too exposed to the wind. Despite this it takes in some great scenery as well as the varied animals of Oakwood and Llechwedd. Easily extended by heading up to Maen Escob and beyond, or returning via the Conwy Mountain summit.

Directions:

1. Head up Sychnant pass from the YHA. Turn left onto the new Oakwood Estate (Lon Caer Seion) and follow the road uphill to the right alongside the fields. Look for the young bulls on your right (time of year dependent).

2. At the top of the estate go through the kissing gate onto the fields above Oakwood. Follow the path across the fields to the gate/road at the far side. Here you may see sheep.

3. Turn right onto the road and then immediately left up past the grand Tudor houses. Off to the right across the fields you may see the pig sties and pigs. As you continue up the road past the old golf course clubhouse you may encounter the Shetland pony in their technicolour coat and his big horse friend.

4. Opposite the house on the right, go through the kissing gate to the left and head across the fields bending to the right towards Llechwedd. Lambs and sheep abound here. 

5. Go through the kissing gate, on your right here there are often alpacas and donkeys. Continue across the field and over the style. Go straight ahead here across the track heading towards the corner of the field where a kissing gate and narrow passage awaits. Go down this passage to the road.

6. Turn right on the road, after 50m or so bear left uphill on the track. Follow this up and over and follow the path to the left edge of the lake, here wild ponies, buzzards and ground dwelling birds thrive. Follow the track to the left of the lake and go over the style, follow this until you reach Sychnant Pass.

7. Cross Sychnant pass road and follow the track as it weaves its way around the base of Alltwen. Cross the stream on your right and go through the gate, follow this track all the way back down to Mountain Road in Conwy. When you reach Cadnant Park Road turn right uphill and head uphill back the YHA up Sychnant Pass. 

​

There are many extensions possible, for example, when you reach Llechwedd you can turn left then immediately right up the hairpins to Maen Escob and beyond before heading down to Sychnant Pass. You can also return via the summit of Conwy Mountain.

​

NB. Please do not attempt to feed the animals! Some of the animals have special dietary requirements, recently two Shetland ponies died as a result of people thinking they were being kind feeding them.