Mynydd Derwydd Wildcamping

We often hear about 'almost wild camping' sites but Mynydd Derwydd Wildcamping is as close to the real deal as we’ve come across yet. Out here on a North Welsh hill farm, you are given the location of the gate to the farm and left to your own devices. If you’ve got a 4x4, then you can drive straight to the top of 350-metre Mynydd Ucha and choose a spot to pitch your tent with views all the way to Snowdon, some 26 miles away. In fact, according to your host, hill farmer Llŷr, you can see half of North Wales from up here. But, amongst all that, don’t count on seeing him. He’ll be busy tending sheep on this 1,600-acre farm and, unless you need him, he’ll leave you to enjoy your own bit of wild in North Wales.

So what makes Mynydd Derwydd a campsite? Not much, is the answer. Llŷr’s permission is the first thing. That’s given on the basis that you agree to leave no trace of your stay. To that end, you can buy logs and hire an off-ground fire pit but you mustn’t light fires on the ground. Llŷr also provides access to a tap and a loo – but you need to bring your own loo roll and be prepared for a walk. How far, depends on where you pitch. As well as Mynydd Ucha (a 15 minute walk), there’s the more accessible Mynydd Pen or sheltered Meadow Ddole (five minutes from the facilities). Wherever you go, you won’t be crowded as 250 acres of land is counted as the campsite and only 10 bookings are allowed at a time.

The site backs on to the vast Clocaenog Forest. You can walk there and not see a soul all day but you can also temper your solitude with days in busier spots. The hike up Snowdon for example, is just 40 minutes’ drive away as are the adventures at Zip World. Stay here for the wild camping experience of sleeping under the stars, cooking on the campfire and being by yourself…. But know that if it all gets too wild, there’s always The Crown Inn a mile down the road.