A Walk from Llanberris 2019

Walk Leader: Peter Hitchcock
Total Distance: 10-11 Miles
Total Ascent/Descent: 3400ft

The treat today is to view Snowdon from as near to the summit as possible as much of our success depends on our arrival time at Llanberis.  To climb right to the summit and back is overly ambitious given our normal timescales so, the principle aim is to reach a walk junction called ‘Bwlch Glas’ which – to all intents and purposes – is the top.  [Actual summit is another 20mins climb].  This decision will save us over half-an-hour which could be invaluable.

If we arrive at Llanberis late, or if the weather is bad or our pace slow over the first 2 hrs, then we shall adopt Plan B (on the map), a 10-miler which remains demanding and will reward you with superb views nevertheless.  Most importantly, I want the day to be enjoyable and not akin to a “RM yomp”; hence, the dual options.

We leave Llanberis to the West via a lovely woodland nook trail up to moorland to then join a good hard track that winds south up a scenic valley to join the Snowdon Ranger trail.  The valley path is a steady, gentle uphill climb but the Ranger path is where the work really starts for 1:30 hrs of hard going to Bwlch Glas.  This section is a challenge – at least equal to the Old Man of Coniston but longer; after all, it is Snowdon!  We shall probably descend from this point down along the ‘main drag’ by the cog railway which is great fun to see. This is a tricky descent on stone and slate so sticks would be a godsend.  We shall tread carefully.  As befitting an ‘A’ walk, this will be an endurance 11-miler but “do-able” with amazing views given fair weather.  Do bring along plenty of water AND  a woolly hat and gloves as the winds can be unexpectedly monstrously fierce and cold.

If we adopt Plan B, we shall turn around at the top of the Maesgwm valley (just before the Snowdon Ranger track) but, at this spot the side profile of Snowdon is fantastic if we are able to see it.  Backtracking for a while, we then cross the valley eastwards till we hit the mountain railway track and the Llanberis path and my inclination then is to walk up to the halfway house to award you further experiences of Snowdons’mid-rift’!  Returning down the path again, we shall peel away from the crowds east towards Llyn Peris and walk back to the town a little way on the main road but then detour via the remains of Dolbarden Castle, built originally by Llewllyn the Great in the early 13^th century.