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Main Boards => General Walking Discussion => Topic started by: Miles Prower on 22:24:24, 03/08/19

Title: Snowdonia
Post by: Miles Prower on 22:24:24, 03/08/19
What are everyone's top 3 locations for a Snowdonia trip?
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: archaeoroutes on 22:38:45, 03/08/19
Glyderau
Carneddau
Moelwyns
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: Miles Prower on 23:24:10, 03/08/19
Excellent,  is it usual to drive to the start of each walk and park there etc? 
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: richardh1905 on 07:38:05, 04/08/19
Interesting question, Miles.




Tryfan and the Glyders would certainly be up there for me. Parking is obvious.

And I do love the Eastern approaches to the Carneddau - truly big country. Parking at the head of the public road going up towards Llyn Eigiau.

But for number three I would go for the northern half of the Rhinogs, some really wild 'badlands' within striking distance of beautiful Cwm Bychan. Magical.
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: archaeoroutes on 08:54:50, 04/08/19
Excellent,  is it usual to drive to the start of each walk and park there etc?
That really depends. If staying at Idwal Cottage you can do a lot from the doorstep, for instance. Or you might use public transport for some places - the Sherpa bus is great. Or you might be doing a big trek across the whole range tying in with trains at each end.
But yes, mostly drive to a spot then do a circular walk from there.
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: fernman on 09:03:06, 04/08/19
For me it's the Moelwyns, a complete mix of summits, rockinesss, plenty of lakes, industrial archaeology (slate) and from the NW side beautiful views of the Snowdon Horseshoe. It's nothing like as frequented as Snowdon, the Glyders and the southern Carneddau, you'll often not see another person at all. There is parking at many points around it, free if you search for a spot on the outskirts of a village.
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: BuzyG on 22:16:38, 04/08/19
Tryfan for sure, you can simply park at the bottom.
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: Miles Prower on 00:22:17, 06/08/19
Great stuff everyone
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 12:55:31, 06/08/19
1- Carneddau from the Gerlan side, either an ascent of Carnedd Llewelyn using the Caseg Valley, or climbing the shoulder of Bera Mawr and Yr Aryg, to reach the Central Ridge.

2- A circuit of the Southern Rhinogs, but heading in a anticlockwise direction from Bwlch Y Rhiwgyr, Diffwys, and onto Yr Lether and ending up on the summit of Moelfre.
That one is pretty magical, and your virtually guaranteed peace and solitude.

Also visiting Bryn Cader Fanner stone circle above Talysarnau, also part of the Rhinogs.

3- An ascent of Cader Idris, using either the Minnfordd path or Foxes route, either way is a classic.
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: Hillhiker1 on 19:42:30, 06/08/19
Well, seeing as no-one's mentioned it yet, I'm going to recommend the lonely outpost of Creigiau Gleision. I've been avoiding it for years in favour of the honeypots it's surrounded by. Back at spring bank I decided I was finally going to walk it From Capel Curig via Crimpiau.
To be honest I was expecting a rough and difficult fairly dull trudge. Far from it - a splendid walk that's now a nailed-on favourite. O0


It's certainly lonely, after Crimpiau I didn't see anyone for the rest of the day. I continued on over the top to emerge at the dam end of Llyn Colwyd then walked back to Capel alongside the Llyn then down over the moor with splendid views down the Ogwen valley.


Pick a nice day and I'm sure you'll love it! In retrospect it was so nice, I'm amazed it wasn't far busier.
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: richardh1905 on 09:32:58, 07/08/19

+1 for Creigiau Gleision, but my favourite approach is from Trefriw, following the stream to Llyn Geirionydd to take a look at the lead mines that line it's banks, cutting across a hillside past a slate cavern to beautiful Llyn Crafnant, along either shore of Llyn Crafnant, then taking the Capel Curig track to the top of the bwlch, climbing Crimpiau and craggy Creigiau Gleision, along the ridge before dropping down into the lower Crafnant valley and returning to Trefriw.


A grand way to spend half a day if the clouds are down on the higher tops.
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: Miles Prower on 09:52:01, 07/08/19
Some nice suggestions,  this is a first time trip for us so I'm sure it'll all be great.  We're going to stay in a few places dotted around, Betws-y-coed, Llanberis and Barmouth being three, so with the car hopefully can get about even more. 
Are most of the trails obvious or need map and compass?
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: archaeoroutes on 19:19:58, 07/08/19
There are plenty of well-trodden paths, but I would not go up without map and compass (and ability to use them). It would be very easy to pick the wrong path and end up completely wrong.
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: fernman on 19:26:32, 07/08/19
It's clear he meant NOT go up without map and compass!

And regarding the ability to use them, last summer I lent one of my adult sons my 1:25k Snowdon map, he got himself a compass, and I additionally showed him how to use an app on his phone.
Off he went up to Dulyn Reservoir and then to Cwm Eigiau to look at aeroplane crash sites.
For the first site he only had to follow the track from where you park up to Melynllyn Reservoir and then a path up to Dulyn, while there's a clear track and path as far as the old mine workings in the cwm, but he got less than halfway to either of them.
I'm ashamed to admit that he didn't have a clue how to use any of the aids.
I've had sleepless nights over this, where did I go wrong as a father?
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: archaeoroutes on 19:38:35, 07/08/19
It's clear he meant NOT go up without map and compass.
Thanks, post amended. I hate typing on my 'phone!
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: richardh1905 on 19:51:46, 07/08/19
Map and compass on mountains. Always. :)
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: Davidedgarjones on 20:23:15, 08/08/19
Yes to map and compass. A common error when descending mountains is to take the wrong path down so you don't end up back at where you've left your car, e.g setting off down from Snowdon for Llanberis but then taking the Snowdon Ranger path down to Rhyd Ddu. Even if your compass skills are rudimentary you need at least to be able to get the broadly correct direction of travel. Even more important of course if visibility is poor on a summit.
Dave
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: BuzyG on 20:57:28, 08/08/19
Yes to map and compass. A common error when descending mountains is to take the wrong path down so you don't end up back at where you've left your car, e.g setting off down from Snowdon for Llanberis but then taking the Snowdon Ranger path down to Rhyd Ddu. Even if your compass skills are rudimentary you need at least to be able to get the broadly correct direction of travel. Even more important of course if visibility is poor on a summit.
Dave


Young Andy at work, did exactly that three weeks ago, with his mates.  To think I recommend they try Crib Goch, if the weather was good.   In their defence they where all from a boxing club, not mountaineers..
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 21:47:59, 08/08/19
Many years ago when on the Horseshoe we met a couple of lads descending close to the summit of Garnedd   Ugain. They asked if they were on the Pyg Track, as they were intending to descend this, having walked to Snowdon summit from Llanberis. Their only ‘map’ was a plasticised card (about A6 size) showing a black outline of Snowdon and a thick red line for the path. Somehow they had missed the standing stone at Bwlch Glas and the hundreds of scouts in bright orange waterproofs having their photo taken in the mist. I wouldn’t venture high in the hills without a map and compass and some knowledge of how to use them. Those guys were poorly equipped and dressed for the hill and lucky they had us to redirect them.
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: richardh1905 on 21:50:21, 08/08/19
Yes to map and compass. A common error when descending mountains is to take the wrong path down so you don't end up back at where you've left your car...



I remember camping at Wasdale Head with my university mountaineering club - 2 of my friends were a bit inattentive coming off Scafell in the mist, and ended up in Eskdale!
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: ninthace on 09:38:29, 09/08/19
That's why my gps has an off route alarm!
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: fernman on 09:42:39, 09/08/19
There are currently a few reports in Grough telling of people with no map or compass being rescued:
https://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/ (https://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/)
I hope the OP takes note.
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: Miles Prower on 09:43:09, 09/08/19
That's why my gps has an off route alarm!


Which gps are you using and any issues with that? 
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: ninthace on 09:58:16, 09/08/19

Which gps are you using and any issues with that?
Garmin Etrex 30 in my case.  The off course alarm can be set up through the maritime menu and the distance off course before the alarm is triggered set.  Mine is normally set at 100m.  Of course it will only work if you are following a pre-plotted route.
The ViewRanger app can also warn you if you are off course.  It can be set up in the Navigation menu - see Off Route (XTE) alarm.
Not sure what you mean by issues.
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: rural roamer on 13:04:18, 09/08/19
It's clear he meant NOT go up without map and compass!

And regarding the ability to use them, last summer I lent one of my adult sons my 1:25k Snowdon map, he got himself a compass, and I additionally showed him how to use an app on his phone.
Off he went up to Dulyn Reservoir and then to Cwm Eigiau to look at aeroplane crash sites.
For the first site he only had to follow the track from where you park up to Melynllyn Reservoir and then a path up to Dulyn, while there's a clear track and path as far as the old mine workings in the cwm, but he got less than halfway to either of them.
I'm ashamed to admit that he didn't have a clue how to use any of the aids.
I've had sleepless nights over this, where did I go wrong as a father?
This sounds familiar! Our kids were not into walking when younger, now they’re adults they’re more keen, but not necessarily ready to take our advice! My son and fiancee had a few days in the Lakes last year and asked if we could suggest any short low level walks about 3-4 miles. They were staying near Windermere so we sent some easy routes near there and said that we could suggest longer, higher routes but they would need map and compass etc.  No they said, they wouldn’t be doing anything like that. When they came back they’d walked up Helvellyn using their phones for navigation. We were horrified! I suppose we should be thankful they had walking shoes on and took water and waterproofs! You can guess what we got them for Christmas.
Title: Re: Snowdonia
Post by: Hillhiker1 on 14:36:24, 09/08/19
Garmin Etrex 30 in my case.  The off course alarm can be set up through the maritime menu and the distance off course before the alarm is triggered set.  Mine is normally set at 100m.


Nice one Ninthace O0  It turns out that my Dakota 20 does that too. Duly set!  :)