The hills surrounding the Hirnant valley south of the town of Y Bala are, when they are mentioned at all, often grouped with the Berwyn Hills. It’s difficult to know where the hills of the Berwyn end and the Aran hills begin, and it’s often simpler to call this disputed area the Hirnant Hills (never […]
Heather Bashing in the Hirnant Hills Read More »
The Northern end of the Glyderau receive far less attention than the popular area around Ogwen, but can provide an interesting and quieter approach to these hills. This was an interesting afternoon circuit around Cwm Ceunant, with either leg being suitable as a starting point for a more substantial walk across the Glyderau. Don’t be
Carnedd y Filiast Cwm Ceunant Circuit Read More »
At best, Mynydd Graig Goch is tagged on as an afterthought to a complete traverse of the Nantlle Ridge, or ignored completely. Although more recently found to be slightly taller, it was always a mountain, why would it be called Mynydd otherwise? This little loop of Cwm Dulyn, not to be confused with the ‘other’
Mynydd Graig Goch from Nebo Read More »
While it may be tempting to imagine that I’m sitting smugly by my PC writing this, pontificating down to the unwashed masses on what to do and not to do on a multiday trip, I’m not. Sitting at the PC, yes but writing almost as a confession of the last few days walking (along the
Common Backpacking Mistakes, and How to Overcome Them. Read More »
Not quite stuffed – but if you’re anything like the Mud and Routes crew then when it comes to getting up in the morning we’re like a bunch of teenagers. Breakfast is usually sacrificed, and then you’re at the mercy of your stomach and those tempting sausage rolls in the shop on the way. Not
Super Hill Food – Get stuffed before your walk Read More »
While we all know not to leave our litter on the hill (hopefully!) what else do we need to be aware of? Here are a few points to consider if you want to leave no trace when you’re in the wilds. It’s by no means comprehensive and we recommend the links at the end of
The ascent of Yr Elen and Carnedd Llewelyn via Cwm Llafar is just a little wilder than the usual Ogwen and Aber ascents. You soon find yourself off the path, and either navigating over quaking mires or loose boulders. If you like a bit of off path action, this is for you. As an added
Yr Elen and the Cwm Llafar Horseshoe from Gerlan Read More »
This, make no bones about it, its a long un. Snowdonia, the north at least, seems to have a lack of natural long walks. Even walking one end of the Carneddau to the other just passes 20km. Other longer walks involve the joining together of different ranges and the inherent excess of ascent that produces.
Carnedd Llywelyn from Rachub Read More »
Most hills seem to have a weak spot. That place from where they can be climbed the easiest. Yr Wyddfa has Pen y Pass at nearly 400m high, you’re almost half way up before you start! Normally I’ve climbed the North Carneddau from Aber. That’s sea level to 900m. Rachub I noticed, lets me start
North Carneddau from Rachub Read More »
This is a route up Carnedd y Filiast from Deiniolen, but with an interesting return down through Cwm Perfedd and Cwm Graianog. Would make a much better route starting from Nant Ffrancon. 1 The route starts at the road head at Marchllyn, with an easy and steady walk up the reservoir road as far as
Carnedd y Filiast – Under the Slabs Read More »
An unusual walk in that we bagged a Rhinog hill that’s not often seen on it’s own. You could use this route as an alternative ascent to climb the range from the south, or as an ideal descent once you’ve completed the hard work. OS Map Required Explorer 018, Landranger 124, BMC Snowdonia South, The Route Starting off
Y Diffwys from Ganllwyd Read More »
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!). The Route The walk starts from Dolwyddelan (which is on
Dolwyddelan Circuit – Moel Meirch and Ysgafell Wen Read More »
This is a circuit of contrasts. You walk through wooded lowlands and rugged high ground that’s some of the roughest and boggiest in the area. You may not see another soul once you are on the upland portion, and there’s a café at the start / end so you can look forward to some proper
Moel Meirch and Llyn Edno from Nant Gwynant Read More »
This is the classic Snowdonia circuit of Moelwyn Bach, Moelwyn Mawr (The Moelwynion and NEVER the moelwyns) and Cnicht from Croesor, but one usually done in the opposite direction. But who is to say which is the right one? Our decision was based on camping half way around, and we wanted to do most of the
Moelwyn Bach, Moelwyn Mawr and Cnicht Circular Walk from Croesor Read More »
I’ve walked across the flanks of this hill before, but the summer heat had tired me and I didn’t quite get to the top. Afterall, my aim that day had been to camp at Llyn yr Adar or some such destination that felt so far in the distance that I’d never arrive. I didn’t manage Allt Wen then
Moel Meirch from Nant Gwynant Read More »
This route is an alternative route to get to the Rhinogydd ‘Badlands’ between Bwlch Gwilym and Bwlch y Tyddiad, shortening the alternative route of Moel Ysgyfarnogod and Clip as an approach, or ideal as a descent from Moel Ysgyfarnogod. These make a decent days’ walk in themselves, with the summit of Craig Wion, the complex
Craig Wion from Trawsfynydd Read More »
Always on the lookout for some runnable terrain, the track from Aber into Cwm Anafon ticks all the boxes. It takes you deep into the hills, feels wild, runnable without being heavy going and you can even cheat by starting off at 200m or so! The Route You’ll need to get to the carpark at
Cwm Anafon Carneddau Trail Run or Mid Level Walk Read More »
I recently did Y Garn, from Ogwen on my ML training. Yes, the paths from Ogwen are rockier and more exposed. The NE ridge is arguably the best walk direct to the summit, and reasonably quiet for an Ogwen walk. Despite this, I’ve a soft spot for the more rounded side of these hills as
Y Garn and Llwybr y Carw from Nant Peris Read More »
An approach to the summit of High Street from the West. It has the advantage of starting off high, and in less than half an hour you’ll be on top of the first summit – St Ravens Edge. The disadvantage is that is doesn’t’ end at the Kirkstone Pass Inn. The route starts on the
High Street from The Kirkstone Pass Inn Read More »
The ascent of Elidir Fawr from Llanberis is a real beast of a slog that almost manages to be as tough as the usual Nant Peris ascent. We detail the ascent only here, as the descent has been detailed elsewhere. You have the option of descending Esgair y Ceunant (steady plot) or Llwybr y Carw
Elidir Fawr and Garn From Llanberis Read More »
An alternative route up one of the iconic Welsh hills. You approach via the pleasant Cwm Gelli Iago, towards the unassuming western faceof Cnicht and wonder what the fuss is all about. However, on passing through a quiet valley with it’s tarn, this route brings you to the south of the hill and an approach
Cnicht and Bwlch y Battel from Gelli Iago Read More »
The Rhinogydd, despite their difficulty, are reasonably accessible from many points. Trawsfynydd to the north east has always been a favourite starting point, but an arguably more scenic approach is from the opposite side of the mountain at Llandecwyn. It has the advantage of a return via the Cambrian Line Railway. OS Map Required Explorer 018, Landranger 124, BMC
Rhinogydd from Llandecwyn to Talybont Read More »
Another steady plod to the northernmost Welsh mountain. This is a pleasant enough route that’s almost an out and back, but with so many parallel tracks in the area you’ll find it’s easy enough to take a different return route. The images were taken during some particularly deep snow and was much harder to follow than the
Tal Y Fan from Pen y Sychnant Read More »
This route is an epic walk. It wasn’t meant to be so long, it just felt like a good idea to extend the walk a little. You can take the easy option and descend direct to Aber, but this extended walk is a much superior way to end a good mountain day. Distance, Ascent and
Drum, Foel Fras and Aber Falls from Aber Read More »
You must be logged in to post a comment.