Weekend In Snowdonia - The Quiet Grandeur of the Carneddau - Day 1

The Carneddau are a broad, quiet mountain range in northern Snowdonia (Eryri), defined by high plateaus, long ridges and sweeping views. Quieter and wilder than the busy slopes of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), the range still packs superb hillwalking, including many of the Welsh 3,000’s.

With long, steady climbs, high ridges and occasional featureless ground the walking can be challenging but we are rewarded with big horizons to the Glyderau and Tryfan to the south, the Menai Strait glittering to the west, empty moorland rolling north, Bronze Age cairns underfoot, and—if we’re lucky—a meeting with the hardy Carneddau ponies. Perfect territory for a great weekend of hill walking.

Day 1 – Carnedd Llewelyn from Ogwen Cottage
At 11.5 Miles and 3500ft of ascent, this is a challenging, classic big-mountain loop from Ogwen Cottage to the broad summit of Carnedd Llewelyn

The circuit summits 3 of the Welsh 3000’s including Carnedd Llewelyn 3490ft (1064m), (second only to Mount Snowdon, being just 20m lower in height), Pen yr Ole Wen 3208ft (978m) and Carnedd Dafydd 3425ft (1044m) before sweeping down towards the A5 and back to Ogwin Cottage.

Expect a long, committing day with steep steady climbs, a bit of scrambling, airy ridgelines, featureless ground and huge horizons with great views out as far as the North Wales coast and Anglesey (Welsh weather permitting).

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
Due to the challenging nature of this walk it is only suitable for experienced hill walkers. If you are a first timer with the club, please read the "What we’re about" section on the club homepage before signing up for this walk, ensuring appropriate fitness and suitability. If you need more information, please contact the walk leader.

Accommodation
Both walks this weekend will be in the North of the National Park so you should organise your own accommodation in that area. The nearest towns being Capel Curig and Bethesda.

Start Point
Ogwen Cottage and Ranger Base, Nant Ffrancon, Bethesda, LL57 3LZ.
Grid ref: SH 650603
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Please follow the google map link from the Meetup walk page.

Timings: Walk Starts at 08:30

Parking: There is a large carpark at Ogwin Cottage, at time of writing cost is £6 for the day, payment by card or contactless only.
The carpark gets very busy so please car share where possible.
There is alternative parking along the A5 in Laybys that are free, be careful to avoid any yellow lines.

Total Walk Time: Approx 7 hrs

Refreshments: Nowhere to stop off on the hills so bring lunch and drinks and plenty of energy snacks for the walk.

Public Toilets: There are toilets available in the carpark at the start and end of the walk.

Weather: The Welsh mountains are notorious for their unpredictable weather, even in the height of summer it can turn nasty so please come equipped for all eventualities, waterproofs, warm layers, hat/gloves.

Hiking and hillwalking are activities with a danger of personal injury. Participants in these activities should be aware of, accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement. Meetup Terms of Service Section 6, which all members have agreed to, lays out the details of liability relating to a group or an event.

For further information Contact Nick 07739801881