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Cynwyd to Moel Fferna
 
From Cynwyd, the path leads through conifer forest onto the open moorland, climbing steadily to Moel Fferna summit.

Distance: 8.4 km / 51/4 miles
Difficulty: Difficult (steady ascent)

From the summit of Moel Fferna, the highest point of the North Berwyn Way, rolling heather-clad hills stretch away in every direction. There are panoramic views north to the Llantysilio Mountains and the Clwydian Range, west to the Arennigs and south to the Berwyn Range.

The Berwyns are one of the largest and most attractive areas of upland heath remaining in Wales, designated as a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and SAC (Special Area of Conservation) in recognition of their environmental importance. Heather, Bilberry and Crowberry flourish on the poor acidic soils. Blanket bog has developed on the wetter areas, where white flowered Cotton Grass, bog mosses and unusual 'insect-eating' plants like Sundew and Butterwort thrive. These wild and peaceful mountains are ideal habitats for many birds of prey as they have a good chance of breeding without disturbance and their prey of small mammals and birds are plentiful in the heather and rough grassland.

Look Out For … The increasingly rare Red Squirrel is still found in conifer woodlands in South Denbighshire, at Cynwyd Forest. Numbers of this pretty native squirrel have been declining since the larger American Grey Squirrel was introduced to Britain in the 1870s. Like Grey Squirrels, they hide their food in the ground and live in dreys, a spherical nest in the trees, but they are shyer and harder to see..