Snowdonia
The Snowdonia National Park contains some of the most dazzling mountain scenery in the UK. With their reputation for rough rocky outcrops, vertiginously sheer cliffs and scooped glacial cwms, the mountains have shaped the livelihood of the people who’ve lived here.
| Terrain | OS Map |
|---|
| Mountain and valley. Take a compass and be prepared for sudden changes in weather. | Explorer OL16,17,18 |
Where to go
The remnants of slate, lead and copper mining are everywhere for the observant walker to interpret.
Only a short distance away from this spectacular land of mountains you can discover another Snowdonia, one where ancient woodlands cling to steep-sided river gorges and where arctic-alpine plants carpet the ground in nature reserves throughout spring and early summer. The nearby coast gives Snowdonia its unique character, as does another of Snowdonia's attractions - its waterfalls.
Highlights
Cnicht
Cnicht is said to be the best mountain for first-timers – it’s known as the Welsh Matterhorn’ – all 2264 feet of it! It’s a relatively straightforward walk up a pleasingly pointed, but comparatively small peak. Start/finish Croesor.
Moel Siabod
This beautiful peak appears almost perfectly pyramidal when viewed from the A5 north of Betws-y-Coed. Start from the lay-by on the A5 at (grid ref SH735571), about a mile south of Capel Curig. You will need the OS Leisure Sheet 16 map, and the route incorporates some easy scrambling. If you climb this peak on a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular panorama of the Snowdon Horseshoe.
Mount Snowdon
Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) The easiest route to the top of the highest mountain in Wales is the Llanberis path which runs parallel with the mountain railway tracks past the Halfway Station cafe (grid ref SH597574).
The Miners’ Track and the Pyg Track, are both interesting alternative ascents, starting from the car park at Pen-y-Pass, which is already 1100ft up at the top of the Llanberis Pass. There’s a café there, and there’s one with restricted opening hours at the summit.
Watkin Path’s lower reaches, from Bethania Bridge (grid ref SH627507) are easy, along an interesting path. The uppermost sections of the path are extremely steep and loose and only for the experienced.
For more detailed routes, see Best Walks in North Wales by Richard Sale, published by Constable.
The Two Lakes
The Two Lakes walk, on the Conwy side of the Carneddau, takes in ruined lead mines and a memorial to a poet as well as the lovely long views along Llyn Geirionydd and Llyn Crafnant.
Start and end your walk at the car park on the road between Llanrwst and Trefiw (grid ref SH763605).
Cwm Idwal
Explore Cwm Idwal, an easy walk and nature trail through Wales’ first National Nature Reserve in the heart of Snowdonia. Start and finish in the car park by Ogwen Cottage (grid ref SH650603).
Gwydyr Forest Park
Extensive woodland walking from above the Conwy Valley to the south of Betws-y-Coed. There are several forest walks for people of all abilities and levels of fitness, and a chance to see the famous Swallow Falls, car park (grid ref SH758577).
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