|
Snowdonia is a big place;
it's made up of quite distinctive regions - each with a unique
character. Here is a taster of the 5 major massifs including and around
Snowdon
The Snowdon range - including
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon summit)
By any standard Snowdon is a magnificent mountain. Its architecture is
astounding, consisting as it does, of many ridges and subsidiary peaks.
You could spend a week ascending Snowdon by different routes and still
have more to discover. It is also by far the most popular mountain in
the British Isles, having a train track that terminates at a visitor
centre within a few metres of the summit. Its worth taking a minute to
consider which of the various routes to the top you might want to take.
The following walks are available every weekend (weather permitting)
- Pyg Track and
Miners' track.
The classic easy to moderate day starting from the high car park at the
top of the Llanberis pass taking in Snowdon summit at 1085m (3560 feet).
- Snowdon Horseshoe
A strenuous, exciting and rewarding circuit that includes the famous
"knife edge" ridge of Crib Goch.
- Snowdon
Ranger/Rhyd Ddu Path A moderate alternative route up Snowdon
with vast views.
- Watkin Path
descending the South Ridge
A more strenuous route that starts from the low valley of Nantgwynant
and involves a full 1000m of uphill walking, at its steepest just below
the summit.
Carneddau
This vast mountainous remote upland at the north end of Snowdonia
contains the second and fourth highest peaks in Wales. (Carnedd
Llewelyn and Carnedd Dafydd). In general access is not as immediate as
for other areas and routes tend to be longer, so we offer just one
suggestion here. However, if the Carneddau take your fancy we'll work
something out that will meet your aspirations.
- Pen yr Ole Wen, Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llywelyn – A
great day out exploring the mountains of the southern carneddau. Grade
strenuous.
Glyderau
Access to the Glyderau couldn't be easier. Free car parking areas line
the Ogwen Valley; step over a style and your there! This is a very
special area - reflected in the SSSI and NNR status of Cwm Idwal. On
all our walks we have 2 priority values: safety and the protection of
our fragile mountain environment. We make every effort to uphold the
principle of leaving no trace of our visits. The famous "Cantilever"
stone is found here high on Glider Fach.
- From Ogwen Cottage via Twll Du (the Devil's Kitchen) to
Llyn y Cwn (the Lake of Dogs) Y Garn and down the ridge back to Ogwen.
A classic day out in The Glyderau, graded moderate to strenuous.
- Tryfan: one of Wales's most distinctive peaks with some
enjoyable scrambling, graded strenuous.
- Y Garn Ridge Walk; an interesting, moderate graded walk
covering the northern end of the Glyderau.
Eifionydd
The Eifionydd mountains form a great horseshoe around the little
visited valley of Cwm Pennant with Moel Hebog at one end towering over
the village of Beddgelert and Mynedd Craig Goch (mountain of the red
crag) at the other. In between lies a cave where Owen Glyndwer is
reputed to have concealed himself from the invading English in the
fifteenth century (after making good an escape that involved North
Wale's first recorded rock climb), and the famous Nantlle ridge; one of
the finest walks in Snowdonia. Mynedd Mawr (big mountain) often
referred to as the "elephant hill" is also included in this group.
- Mynedd Mawr; a moderate days walk starting and finishing
in Rhyd Ddu.
- The Nantlle Ridge; One of the finest ridge walks in
Snowdonia with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and (on a
clear day) Ireland. Grade moderate to strenuous.
- Moel Hebog Round; A strenuous walk taking in the peaks of
Moel Hebog, Moel yr Ogof and Moel Llefn.
The Moelwyns
When you say "The Moelwyns", it conjures, in the minds of those who
know the area, less the peaks that lie there, (though there are some
real beauties) but more an eye wateringly beautiful and complex area
pervaded by an atmosphere that one is inclined to describe as magical.
Don't take our word for it - see for yourself, come and visit.
- The Moelwyns from Tanygrisiau; an enjoyable day taking in
the main peaks of the Moelwyns; Moelwyn Mawr and Moelwyn Bach. Graded
moderate.
- Moel Siabod: a beautiful mountain that stands on its own at
the northern end of the ares. A moderate graded walk with some basic
scrambling.
- Cnicht; the "Matterhorn of Wales" due to it's appearance, a
moderate graded walk, giving a more isolated and remote taste of
Snowdonia. A mountain not to be missed.
- The round Moelwyn walk: for a real taste of the magic of
the Moelwyns, taking in twinkling llyns and gentle peaks juxtaposed in
exquisite complexity.
|
