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Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Wales => Topic started by: Matt010791 on 17:25:13, 13/09/19

Title: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: Matt010791 on 17:25:13, 13/09/19
My parents have a place on Anglesey so me and my dad are gonna head over to Snowdonia on the Saturday. We were gonna walk Cadair idris but it’s 80 mile from Anglesey. Can anyone recommend a hidden gem closer to Snowdon that we could do please? Snowdon just gets a little busy and I fancy a change tbh.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: rural roamer on 17:47:43, 13/09/19
We did Moel Hebog from Beddgelert (where we were staying) as a warm up for Snowdon. Though we also included Moel Yr Ogof and Moel Lefn so it probably ended up being harder than Snowdon as there were lots of ups and downs! I think it was about 9 miles, a bit of easy scrambling heading up Moel Hebog and can be a bit tricky finding way back through the forest, but we had great views across to Snowdon. We walked it on a Bank Holiday Sunday and hardly saw anyone, unlike the following day when we tackled Snowdon!
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: ninthace on 18:01:42, 13/09/19
Anglesey Coastal Path - Church Bay round to Bull Bay is very scenic, almost guaranteed marine mammal sightings, especially from Cemaes to Amlwch.  There are some good figure of 8s or circulars as well as linears if you use 2 cars.
Cnicht is a bit of a trek to get there but there is a great horseshoe walk from Croesor.
Moel Siabod from Capel Curig
Moel Eilio from Llanberis
The Glyders from Ogwen Cottage (car park can get crowded early)  Up by Bwlch Tryfan, round the back by the Miners' Track and on to the Glyders, down by Devils Kitchen.



Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: Matt010791 on 19:02:28, 13/09/19
Thanks for the options I’ll have a look into them, love the coastal path  O0
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 19:13:24, 13/09/19
Cnicht and / or the Moelwyns makes for an interesting walk with great views towards Snowdon.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: richardh1905 on 20:32:27, 13/09/19
So many to choose from! Some good suggestions above but also consider...

Nantlle Ridge is a classic.
Also don't overlook the Carneddau - seriously high, but far less people than Snowdon.

Or you could try a roundabout route up Snowdon, starting in Llanberis and approaching over the lower hills to the west, Moel Eilio and Moel Cynghorion, if my memory serves me well. A nice appetiser before joining the path up the west ridge of Snowdon, which is one of the quieter ways up.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 14:14:30, 15/09/19
Yesterday i parked my car in the small carpark, a mile up the road above Aberfalls, and followed the Roman Road, but turned right at the signpost pointing towards DRUM.
Superb visibility, but surprisingly windy beyond Drum, and especially so from Foel Fras to Carnedd Llewelyn.

The wind was a real nuisance, but as the weather was fairly mild and beautifully clear, i thought Northern Carneddau here i come.

On returning from llewelyn i encountered a really decent bloke with his small terrier.

He said he had intended going to the Lakes, but the weather forecast was poor, so he chose the Northern Carneddau instead.

We began to talk, and i discovered he and his pooch, had just six Munroes to bag, for the set, and by the look of his clothing and kit, he looked every bit the vetran walker.

He was telling me the virtues of walking the Cairngorms, and how he thought these lofty Welsh mountains reminded him a bit of walking in the Highlands.

It was surprisingly busy as well, counting almost twelve fellow walkers.

If your blessed with fine clear weather, i can really recommend the Northern Carneddau, really easy walking, and such a vast expanse of mountains, that you could explore them for a very long time, without repeating the same walk.


The thing i most like about them, is how quiet they are, totally litter free, and a walkers dream.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: richardh1905 on 16:45:14, 15/09/19
+1 for the northern Carneddau.


I recall having to turn back whilst climbing Drum from Bwlch y Ddeufaen, due to impossibly strong winds. We could only make progress up the rounded northern ridge by crawling, hanging on to tufts of grass and heather - decided to call it a day and dropped down to The Old Bull in Llanbedr y Cennin  :)
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: ninthace on 17:01:09, 15/09/19
This route in the Carneddau is one of the classics.  A couple of places where you will need to put hand to rock but nothing too drastic.
https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/521834/Trail-Magazine-A-rocking-new-route (https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/521834/Trail-Magazine-A-rocking-new-route)
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 17:18:35, 15/09/19
This route in the Carneddau is one of the classics.  A couple of places where you will need to put hand to rock but nothing too drastic.
https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/521834/Trail-Magazine-A-rocking-new-route (https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/521834/Trail-Magazine-A-rocking-new-route)
Many years ago I did a similar route using the south ridge of Pen Yr Olewen. I think the linked route using the south east ridge would be more interesting.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: ninthace on 17:44:26, 15/09/19
Many years ago I did a similar route using the south ridge of Pen Y Olewen. I think the linked route using the south east ridge would be more interesting.
  I have done the linked route a couple of times.  It is a pleasant way onto the ridge.  The drop off via Bwlch Eryl Farchog was the only sporty bit, harder going down than up IMHO but I still prefer to do it clockwise.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 18:10:35, 15/09/19
That route is probably as quiet as the Gerlan Cwm Caseg route, and takes you into some simply magical countryside.
I recon the reason your route is so quiet, is because Tryfan and the Glyders are encouraging less well informed visitors.

Tryfan is such a huge magnet to the A5 Nant Francon visitors, that many of them ignore, or have no idea whats on offer on the other side of the road.

The closest ive been to this route, is up the Fynnon Llygwy Reservoir road to Carnedd Llewelyn.

Certainly a route for the Summer months, as the route traverses some very remote parts of the Carneddau.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: richardh1905 on 18:38:03, 15/09/19
Certainly a route for the Summer months, as the route traverses some very remote parts of the Carneddau.


All the better in winter with less people about and a good covering of snow - that is when the Carneddau show their true stature.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: Matt010791 on 20:07:20, 15/09/19
thanks everyone think I'm gonna have a good luck at the carneddau routes
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: redeye on 21:52:11, 15/09/19
Another part of the Carneddau that I did a few years ago and we'll worth a visit. There is scope to add to the route if you wanted to. A great area that few people visit as a whole O0
https://aredeyeview.blogspot.com/2014/08/northern-carneddau-snowdonia-9-8-2014.html
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 22:08:57, 15/09/19
There was some additional excitement when I was scrambling up Pen Yr Olewen. A pair of RAF jets screamed down Nant Francon below me. They were unexpected and the noise made me jump, which wasn’t the best response given that I was on a tricky section with small hand and foot holds.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: mattcymru on 01:32:03, 02/10/19
Crimpiau near Capel Curig.  may `only` be 475 m high.. but its a fantastic viewpoint for Glyders and Snowdon, Siabod, and Carneddau!
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: richardh1905 on 07:47:31, 08/10/19
Crimpiau near Capel Curig.  may `only` be 475 m high.. but its a fantastic viewpoint for Glyders and Snowdon, Siabod, and Carneddau!
One of my favourite walks from Trefriw: up past the Geirionydd lead mines, along the shores of Llyn Crafnant, Crimpiau, Creigiau Gleision, along the ridge then back down for a lunch time pint in the Fairy Falls Hotel!
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: Vincent82 on 17:44:29, 28/01/20
Hello


I just read the post about Carneddau. Would you recommend it for April (Easter weekend) or is still too snowy then?


Also do you know if you can access those without a car from Bangor?

Thank you
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: ninthace on 17:54:13, 28/01/20
Hello


I just read the post about Carneddau. Would you recommend it for April (Easter weekend) or is still too snowy then?


Also do you know if you can access those without a car from Bangor?

Thank you
If I could answer your first question definitively in January I would be a lot richer than I am  :)
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: Vincent82 on 19:24:04, 28/01/20
I guess that means all weathers are still possible? :-)

I might take the risk then
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: ninthace on 19:36:08, 28/01/20
I guess that means all weathers are still possible? :-)

I might take the risk then
More a reflection of the fact that N Wales, like most of the UK, has weather rather than a climate.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: pdstsp on 14:05:31, 29/01/20
It could be tee shirt and sun hat or crampons and ice axe, or, more likely, somewhere in between.  I have done full traverses of the Carneddau in March no bother, but also was hail stoned to smithereens in May last year.  But, if the weather is good, the Carneddau is ideal walking and generally pretty quiet.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: MkPotato on 16:11:39, 02/02/20
I did the Carneddau quite a few times last year, and agree that it’s a very different experience from Snowdon, or even the Glyders - feels much wilder and isolated, especially if you start from either Aber (once you’re above the falls) or Eigiau (despite the road up to the car park being a bit of a nightmare).


This year I really want to do Yr Elen via Llafar or Caseg.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: richardh1905 on 18:11:06, 02/02/20
I lived for 7 years in Trefriw, and loved the long walk in to the Carneddau. Up the minor road to Cowlyd, the Pen Llithrig y Wrach, Pen yr Helgi Du, Carnedd Llewelyn, Foel Grach, then down to Eigiau and the long walk back to Trefriw (or variants of the above). Happy memories of long, hard days on the hill.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: richardh1905 on 18:13:11, 02/02/20
The Carneddau are wonderful in the snow. I've seen wind sculpted horizontal hoar frost deposits 1 foot long.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: vghikers on 19:29:14, 02/02/20
Quote
This year I really want to do Yr Elen via Llafar or Caseg.

The route via Cwm Caseg and the NE ridge is superb despite the fairly long walk in from Cilfodan, the approach and ascent will very likely be deserted too. It's one route I did solo (https://v-g.me.uk/Trips/G0105/G0105.htm) and I'm keen to repeat with the two of us.

I agree the Carneddau are more serious than most navigationally in winter or claggy conditions, it's easy to become disoriented in the vast sweeping landscape.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: MkPotato on 04:55:32, 03/02/20
The route via Cwm Caseg and the NE ridge is superb despite the fairly long walk in from Cilfodan, the approach and ascent will very likely be deserted too. It's one route I did solo (https://v-g.me.uk/Trips/G0105/G0105.htm) and I'm keen to repeat with the two of us.
This looks like a great route. One that I really want to do.


It’s a shame there’s no convenient parking spot, other than in Bethesda itself. I really don’t fancy leaving my car on a side road. I surprised there’s no incentive to build a pay car park for walkers.
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: vghikers on 06:54:03, 03/02/20
Quote
It’s a shame there’s no convenient parking spot, other than in Bethesda itself.

On that trip we parked in Cilfodan up the hill from Bethesda, there's a good car park and it saves a bit of ascent too. On other trips we have parked in the Spar car park in Bethesda itself.

Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: fernman on 09:24:12, 03/02/20
It's a shame there’s no convenient parking spot, other than in Bethesda itself. I really don’t fancy leaving my car on a side road. I surprised there’s no incentive to build a pay car park for walkers.

This was discussed at length on this forum a few years ago.

From the notes I made at the time:

There is a car park behind Yr Sior or King George pub SH625671 (on the left of the road where it says Cilfodan on the map).
http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=24607.0 (http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=24607.0) (Aug 2013)
and further information at
http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?PHPSESSID=7280b7f423663ea0bc3a8c6e84a956c0&topic=34829.msg502385;topicseen#msg502385 (http://www.walkingforum.co.uk/index.php?PHPSESSID=7280b7f423663ea0bc3a8c6e84a956c0&topic=34829.msg502385;topicseen#msg502385)

Some quotes from the threads:

"There is always a parking place available and I've left my car there for many hours without any problems at all times of the year, and because it's got constant use by locals it's as safe as it gets.

It's just under a mile walk along the upper roads of Gerlan passing the Co Op shop on your left.
That car park behind Yr Sior is the only one where you can park several cars legally.

Parking in Gerlan is heavily controlled with virtually every parking space available a parking permit only for residence.

There are three places available by the pump station and that's it.

One reason you see few if any walkers in the Caseg Valley above Gerlan is because of parking issues not because the western Carneddau are a mystery to the average walker."

Another poster wrote, "I found a great little spot on the road up to the trail-head...it's by the playground which is a little football pitch, a large enough space to fit my car in without blocking access to the gate."
Title: Re: Alternative to Snowdon
Post by: MkPotato on 15:52:43, 03/02/20
Thanks, I need to check those out.