Huw Tom Upland Walk, Penmaenmawr to Rowen

This is a linear, point-to-point walk, so the 9.6 km / 6 miles is one way only, from New York Cottages in Penmaenmawr (grid ref SH717 762) to Rowen (SH760 719). Mapped end to end the connected route measures about 6.4 miles, which is what the official 6 mile figure rounds from. Allow about 4.5 hours at a steady walking pace, plus time for stops and for sorting out transport at the far end.

You start at street level, take David's Lane and climb up through the terraces, then join the Jubilee Path and Foel Lus. From there the walk crosses open upland around Afon Gyrach and the Huw Tom Walk Stone before passing the old settlement at Waen Gyrach, Tyddyn Grasod, the small fort at Caer Bach, Huw Tom's House at Pen y Ffridd and the Cromlech, then drops steeply into Rowen. The route rises from sea level to around 300 m, so the payoff comes early on the upland section and holds for most of the middle of the walk. The official leaflet marks ten locations of interest along the way.

On a clear day you get the Conwy Valley, the Great Orme, the coast and Liverpool Bay. Foel Lus is rhyolite, a volcanic rock linked with the acidic upland soils here, and the open ground is rough grass, heath and sheep-grazed fields. The line of the walk follows Huw Tom's working route between the Graiglwyd quarry area and his home area near Rowen, which is why quarry heritage, old settlements, a fort, a cromlech and his former house all sit on one thread.

Underfoot you get a mix of pavements, grassy paths, stony and rocky paths and tracks, and surfaced lanes. Things to plan for:

Take strong boots, warm waterproof clothing, and a map and compass. The open upland is exposed, with little shelter once you are above the terraces.

• A steep ascent out of Penmaenmawr and a steep descent into Rowen.
• Gates and stiles, including old stone stiles over high walls.
• Rough and rocky ground on the upland sections.
• A stream crossing that is unsafe after heavy rain.
• Stretches of surfaced lane where you need to walk with care for traffic.

The lower part through the terraces and the lanes near Rowen are easy to follow. The open middle section crosses upland ground where the path is less obvious, so treat map and compass as essentials rather than backup, especially in low cloud.

Dogs are welcome under close control at all times. On open-access land a short lead is required from 1 March to 31 July, and also whenever you are near farm animals, which you should expect on the grazed upland fields.

Council guidance points to the library car park in Penmaenmawr and parking in Rowen. Because the walk is one way, you need public transport, a lift, or a vehicle left at each end. Refreshments can be found in Penmaenmawr and Rowen. Plan the return leg before you set off rather than at the finish.

The climb at the start is unrelenting and the drop into Rowen is hard on the knees. Old stone stiles over high walls are awkward with a big pack or a dog that needs lifting. After heavy rain the stream crossing can turn the walk back on you, so have a plan B. And since there is no loop, the logistics take as much thought as the walking.