Snowdonia Road Trip
Snowdon - hiking the miners track and returning down the Pgy track. Then hitting the road South, in search of more adventure...
"The best view comes after the hardest climb." - Must Be Good.
Incredible scenery, and year-round outdoor recreation opportunities.
Details:
Wales has a lot to offer everyone and some hidden gems, we found the people very friendly and helpful, it made the road trip. Wales is almost one big national park.
The plan was 2 days for hiking Snowdon and we ended-up staying in Wales for a week. Looking forward to the next trip and seeing what else Wales has to offer.
Also, spent an extra 2 days in the Forest of Dean, before heading home for some more great walks and a kayaking trip down the river Wye, that made a great ending to this mini adventure.
Snowdonia North West Wales:
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Eyri (Snowdonia)
is the highest mountain in Wales, and 2nd highest after Ben Nevis, at an elevation of 1,085 metres above sea level.
Camping at Dolgam Campsite. 3 miles from the town: Betws-Y-Code.
Start at the Pen-Y-Pass car park, taking the S2 Sherpa bus from outside the campsite.
Way up Snowdon, taking the miners track and returning down the Pen-Y-Pass track.
6hrs hike, not too challenging if a little prepared and compared to other UK hikes. I would say it is easy for the average person and a good climb for a begging to get the feel and less chance of getting lost on the route we took.
Elevation gains 900 metres.
Other trails to consider; The Watkins Path (Longer but has wonderful scenery) The Rangers path, Llanberis path and Crib Goch A short, but incredible ridge section.
Betws-Y-Code.
Small village.
Moel Tŷ Uchaf Stone circle. North East Wales:
Near the village of Llandrillo, Denbighshire.
Camping at Carrog Station Campsite, Pen-Y-Bont, Carrog, Corwen, Denbighshire LL21 9BD 07972211046
Moel Tŷ Uchaf Stone circle
Driving South With Interesting Stops & Stay Overs:
Barmouth
Seaside resort.
Stayed at Bocarama camping and hostel. BUNKORAMA GWASTAD AGNES GWYNEDD LL42 1DX, AD 447738467196
Dolgellau
A small town with mainly independent shops and restaurants. It's like spending time living in a museum. (Feels like when we were young)
Lampeter
Mulberry Bush Wholefoods 2 Bridge Street Lampeter, Wales SA48 7HG
Dihewyd
Camping with showers Maesymeillion Farm Lampeter, SA48 7QR
Brecon
Market town, in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park
Farm shop & Deli Cafe www.camdenstores.co.uk Postcode LD3 7RH
Coffee stop - Brecon Tap
Ystradfellte
Small village.
With a campsite and a relaxed Inn. The New Inn.
This area is known for its wonderful waterfall walks in the Brecon Beacons National Park. With Sgwd yr Era being the greatest of all the waterfall's, you can walk behind the falls. The other spectacular falls being the Sgwd Isaf Clun-Gwyn
Any easy walk but uphill from the Inn to the Four Waterfalls Car Park. Where you can walk and get close up to 4 waterfalls. Give yourself 3 hours to enjoy or longer.
Language
Useful words when hiking
Rhaeadr or Sgwd - Waterfall
Coedwig - Forest
Coed - Trees
Pont - Bridge
Afon - River
Ogof - Cave
Pen - Head
Y & yr - The
Google Map locations for places of interest, camping/accommodation and coffee/food stops.
"The best view comes after the hardest climb." - Must Be Good
Planning:
Try to leave very little to chance, so once committed, not to give up easily.
Check the weather before heading off, to know what to expect, set off early and enjoy the great views.
Hiking kit:
What to pack - A balance between being prepared for 4 seasons in one day and lightweight. This has become a popular hike, you may see people hiking in shoes and Sunday best.
The Essentials:
Backpack - Lowe alpine AEON 27
Dry bag - To keep your phone and spare cloths dry
Good pair of walking boots - www.bestard.com/gb/
Socks -
Flask - Lifeventure 1000 Good for keeping soups warm.
Waterproof trousers - Endura, I wore shorts with a Endura base layer tights and carried the water/wind proof if the weather changed.
Jacket - Waterproof & windproof
Base layer -
Middle layer -
Fleece -
Water bottles -
Hat & neck warmer-
Gloves -
Snow / ice spikes - ICEGRIPPER
Walking poles
Food & drinks
First Aid kit
Waterproof phone protector
Compass plus, OS maps or Giai GPS App
View and download the full checklist: HERE
Not Wales, but has a lot in common:
Forest of Dean Gloucester,
that borders Herefordshire to the north, the River Severn to the south and Wales to the west.
An area of outstanding beauty and adventure waiting for you:
kayaking the river Wye.
Location:
Symonds Yat Ross-on-Wye
We stayed at The Old Court Hotel, £75/night for two, with a great big breakfast. Family run, with friendly and helpful staff.
Walk from Yat Rock, down to the river Wye (Steep hill for the return, worth it for the views) and along the river. For a bit of a challenge, continue to Monmouth.
Kayaking 9 miles, 4.5 hrs own river to Symonds Yat, where we got picked up from and taken in a mini bus to Kerne Bridge Canoe Launch.
This is a beautiful area for walking and relaxing, for mountain biking; visit the Forest of Dean Bike Park. And easy walks.
Plus the locals have made some excellent trails.
We had a local guide and started from Staunton, near Coleford, Gloucestershire.
Come along for the ride... Mini adventures, to discover mountains, wild places & culinary dishes.
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