Once you have made height at the beginning climbing up to Foel Goch (276 metres), there is a gradual descent down through pine forest on a track to the village of Pennal; a bit of undulation till Penmaen; then a climb back up to the top of Tyddynbriddell Hill, topping out at about two hundred and sixty metres (eight hundred and fifty feet). The path follows the line of the hills that run down the Dovey Valley, crossing over the hilltops some way inland from the road, which follows the line of the river. Total ascent for the day is seven hundred and twenty-three metres, just short of two thousand and four hundred feet.
For me it was late afternoon and the light effects over the river and seascape was food for the soul. On this last road section, while I was taking a breather by the roadside, I met Paul from Plymouth who had been hillwalking. We finished off the last bit of road together. Paul was very pleasant company and after a day on my own it was nice to be taken out of myself. The road section continues to a turn off on to a track just above Tyddyn-y-Berth farm. Slightly further on there is a cattle grid, so if you come to that you have gone too far. You turn off here to start the steep downhill in to the town of Aberdovey.
This was a glorious day's walking with beautiful scenery when it finally appeared, trilling birdsong and burbling brooks. Oh, but it was tough on top of yesterday and because of the steep ascents and descents appeared very long, when in fact I finished it in reasonably good time. After a dodgy start, the weather held up and, apart from one small shower on the hillside, the sun came out to play. By the end all I wanted was to be off my feet and horizontal. Within two minutes of booking in to the hotel, job done!