H T Fell Walking Club: March 2013

Friday, 15 March 2013

337 April Walks from Llanberis

Our next walks will be from

Llanberis

a popular village in Gwynedd, North Wales

at the foot of Snowden

Saturday 13th April 2013

0800hrs prompt from the short stay car park

Llanberis, sitting at the foot of Mount Snowdon (Eryri), is renowned as a holiday resort from where climbers, walkers, mountain bikers, and indeed railway passengers can explore Snowdon and the Snowdonia National Park. The town has grown alongside Llyn Padarn, one of two lakes (the other being Llyn Peris) at the foot of the Llanberis Pass, and owes its growth to the slate quarried from the mountainside across the Lake. The now redundant slate quarries have merged with the lakes and forests to provide something of interest for all, whatever the weather........click to follow


Llanberis, Llyn Padarn & Snowdon © Crown copyright (2013) Visit Wales

click here for more information about Llanberis

There will be three walks;

A Walk led by Tony McDonald
B Walk Led by Gwyn Jones
C walk Led by Joan and Shirley

Full walk details will be added as they become available, but by Saturday 6th April

A Walk from Llanberis 2013

Walk Leader: Tony McDonald
Distance: 7.6 miles
Total Ascent/descent: 2700ft app

The walk is a hard but rewarding, there are some stunning views of Snowdon and the surrounding mountains. The walk it's hard from the outset, but it is very rewarding and there is plenty to have time to rest on the ascent, the walk is relatively short at only 7.6 miles,the main loop is only 5.5 miles, making this one of the shortest day walks in history. However many people expressed the view that they did not wish to walk Snowdon again and many of the mountains around Llanberis are steep. Hence this is a short walk but it is very challenging. During the two reconnoiters there was a lot of snow around and so good boots and walking poles are essential. The use of “cramp on” snow spikes makes the snow easier to navigate and if you have these I would advise bringing them along. The route up toward Y Garn is a steep trek through fields but plenty of people seemed to be using it even in the snow. At the top of the main assent there is a wonderful walk along the ridge up towards Y Garn, there is a steep drop and stunning view. After the summit of some 947 Metres there is a gentle decent for around a mile towards a small lake Llyn Cyn, with views of the "Devils kitchen" and then we head back towards the village of Nant Peris. The decent is quite fast (especially in the snow) and there is fantastic views. The Total assent is 822 Metres or 2700 feet in old money.

Some photo's taken on the first reccie; click here

B Walk from Llanberis 2013

Walk Leader: Gwyn Jones
Distance: 7 miles approx
Total Ascent: 1300ft


B Walk route going clockwise, click to enlarge

Elevation view

This walk is a clockwise tour around Llyn Padarn – a lot of the time we will be looking down over the lake. It is not a hard walk but there is very little on the flat. However as the walk is only 7 miles, the ascents are fairly gradual, and a great deal is along tarmac lanes we will have plenty of time to pause.

View from Pen Llyn looking south to Snowdon

another fabulous viewpoint overlooking Llyn Padarn

We have great views of the Padarn Country Park

C Walk from Llanberis 2013

Walk Leader: Joan and Shirley
Distance: 6 miles approx
Total Ascent: 600ft app

click map to enlarge, route clockwise.

The walk will start from the Electric Mountain café following a coffee stop. Lunch will be taken between 1-1.30pm. The first few miles are along the side of the Lake which is easy walking. We pass Union Rock and cross the head of the Lake before taking a country road which goes upwards for about a mile to the village of Fachwen. The path takes us through woodland of specific interest because of the Sessile Oak Trees. Eventually the path comes down to the old Quarry Hospital and passes the Vivian Quarry, The start of the Lakeside Railway, The slate Museum and back to the Electric Mountain Café for a well earned cuppa.