This Black Mountains Walk from Llanthony takes in both Hay Bluff and Twmpa, as well as the eponymous Black Mountain, on an epic walk along Offa’s Dyke National Trail and the Wales/England Border. In clear weather, navigation is reasonably straightforward, but in mist it could be problematic on the return section over Twmpa. If in …
Black Mountains Walk from Llanthony – Vale of Ewyas Horseshoe Read More »
The Brenig Way is a mid level walk in North Wales that takes you from Corwen to the upland reservoir of Llyn Brenig. It has been established by Denbighshire council and is a promoted route for walkers in this quiet and rural part of the county. Starting off along the Dee Valley, and visiting the …
Mark Barrett of hillexplorer.com shares this classic and extremely challenging Dark Peak route. At 39 miles, it covers the whole of the watershed around the Derwent reservoirs and, though it’s not officially a challenge walk, it’s up there with the Yorkshire 3 Peaks in terms of effort required, and even harder in terms of the …
The Cambrian Way, had it not been scuppered along with the Cambrian Mountains National Park for rather dodgy reasons (see the link here – http://cambrian-mountains.co.uk/?page_id=326), would surely challenge the Pennine Way for the UK’s premier mountain walk and would win on all counts bar seniority. That said, it languishes in utter obscurity, a missed opportunity …
This is a long two day route, or a challenging one dayer, over all the Brecon Beacons. That’s not ALL the hills the park by the way, just the peaks that comprise the range of the Brecon Beacons. The Route 1 Set off from Ship Street, near the Boar’s Head pub and follow the road …
Pen y Fan – Brecon Beacons and Taff Trail Walk from Brecon Read More »
If you want to make the most of a weekend trip to the Peak District, then this route on the National Trust website is just the thing. You could, of course, walk it in one tough day! Starting off from the railway station at Edale, you start off by following the Pennine Way, up Jacob’s …
Two Days in the Peak District – Kinder Scout and Mam Tor Read More »
Here’s a realistic challenge that won’t leave you feeling like you’ve fallen down three flights of stairs for the following week. Coast to coast challenges have a special appeal to them, as do the highest points. Combine them and you’ve got the Snowdon Coast to Coast from Caernarfon to Penrhyndeudraeth (or continue onwards to Porthmadog, …
Here’s an epic walking challenge that’s difficult, but with proper preparation, within the ability of a fit walker. The Across Wales Challenge Walk is a serious 73km challenge walk from the Welsh border to the sea, all undertook in 18 hours!. It starts off around 500m from Anchor, Shropshire, slap bang on the Wales-England border, with little …
If the Paddy Buckley Round isn’t sufficient Snowdonia for your challenge, then there is one other that’s tougher in terms of statistics but by virtue of geography poses as much of a problem of route finding as it does physically. The Meirionnydd Round was devised by Yiannis Tridimas in 1993, and covers most of the …
The Paddy Buckley Round (PBR) in Snowdonia along with the Ramsay Round in Lochaber and the Bob Graham Round in the Lakes make up the UK Big 3 Rounds. Basically, the Big 3 are the toughest 24 hour fell running challenges in the UK, or at least the toughest formalised and/or popular ones! It was devised …
You can treat this as a 2 day walk, or as a lengthy summer day walk. I decided to take it at a more leisurely pace and do it over a weekend, camping at the peaceful Llyn yr Adar again (how wrong would I be!). Distance, Ascent and Time 30km, 1050m, 10 hours OS Map Required Explorer …
Dolwyddelan Circuit – Moel Meirch and Ysgafell Wen Read More »
You can go out and do some short trail runs, we’ve plenty of those on the site, but if you’re serious about your trail running then how about a 27km epic through the most spectacular scenery in Snowdonia? It’s also ‘mainly’ downhill, though still packs around 500m ascent according to my mapping software. I think …
The Nant Ffrancon Trail Run – Capel Curig to Bangor Read More »
Having planned a totally different walk, and missing the bus due to a disagreement with Katy. Katy is a cider by the way, rather tasty and a tad stronger than anticipated. So instead of walking into the deepest wilds of Rhobell Fawr and Dduallt, I found myself in the back of the Padarn Bws to …
Beddgelert to Capel Curig Via Cnicht and Allt Fawr Read More »
This is the second part of the challenging weekend on the Gower. The second section follows the Wales Coastal Path in the main from Rhossili to Bishopston, following the rockier southern coastline that’s as good as any stretch of the Coastal Path. The Route Click here to view the full description, route guide and map. Please …
The walk across the Welsh 14 peaks challenge is one of the toughest walks in Snowdonia National Park. An absolute must if you’re fit enough. OS Map Required Explorer 017, BMC Map, Landranger 115 Welsh 3000s – Walking the Welsh 14 Peaks Challenge Route Description The route above takes you up Crib Goch initially and then over Garnedd Ugain …
Welsh 3000s – Walking the Welsh 14 Peaks Challenge Guide and Map Read More »
Sometimes when you plan a wild camp, it all comes together. This weekend it did. The first day was mostly fine, with some cloud that only added interest, before the tent got snowed in during the evening. Waking to a frozen landscape and plenty of sunshine was unexpected, and it was even better than the …
Moel Ysgyfarnogod and Craig Drwg from Trawsfynydd. Read More »
If you don’t think any of the Rhinogydd routes are sufficiently challenging, then this one might be! Featured in a Mud and Routes article on the most challenging Snowdonia Walks, this is a composite route from our other Rhinogydd walks. You’ll need excellent navigational skills to complete this route, not to mention a decent level …
A 70km challenge through the Eryri hills, passing over no tops but following the ancient passes. Starting in Penrhyndeudraeth on the Dwyryd, via Beddgelert and Capel Curig and finally the flanks of the Carneddau to arrive in Conwy and a pint on the harbour front. Difficulties: Distance Activity Type: –Epic Walk —-LDP Submitted by: daveroberts …
This is without any doubt, one of the most satisfying ways to cover these hills. Starting at sea level at the beautiful Vale of Ffestiniog, past Llyn Mair, before you enter the mountain environment proper. From here on, it’s hard work, but when you arrive in Capel Curig the next day, or even at sundown …
Across the Moelwynion – Maentwrog to Capel Curig Read More »
The Ardudwy Way is a little known multiday path that crosses the western side of the Rhinogydd from Barmouth in the south to Llandecwyn in the north. Either complete it on it’s own or use it in order to create a loop when traversing the peaks. The Route starts off in Barmouth and heads straight up …
Walk the Carneddau in one go – if you’re up to the challenge! There’s nothing more satisfying than a decent traverse of an entire mountain range. This walk takes you loosely from Conwy over the Carneddau and down to Capel Curig and can be an ideal wild camping trip. Why not extend your trip by …
This is a different approach to these hills, one that does leave you with difficulty in returning to your start point, but buses do pass through Trefriw. It’s also a route that contrasts along it’s way. You start in a wooded valley, cross moorland and secluded valleys, before crossing the highest land over Llewelyn. To top …
