Croeso I'r Tudalen Web "Eryri (Carneddau)"
gan Keith Jones

Welcome to Keith Jones' Carneddau (Snowdonia) Hillwalking Page

N.B. Some Pages on this site are still under construction (especially the walks!) - last updated 20 October 2002

What's on this site?

Virtually everything I know about walking in the Carneddau - suggested route descriptions, pictures and more.

Legal bit

While the author has taken all reasonable care to ensure the information herein is accurate, the author and website host as publisher can not accept any liability for loss, accident or mishap arising from the use of this guide

Who am I?

Being a "Cymro" (Welshman) it is only natural that I should play rugby, teach and walk hills!! I obtained a degree in Physics from Birmingham University before qualifying as a teacher of PE and Outdoor Education.
I live (and teach) in Rhyl with my wife Gillian and sons Jonathan and Matthew. From my office window at school I can see (on a clear day) the peak of Carnedd Llywelyn which, in terms of height, is second only to the peak of Snowdon. I find the more popular slopes of the Snowdon Massif and the Glyders far too busy for my liking and instead seek solitude in the hills of the Carneddau. The southern slopes are just as rugged as the other areas of Snowdonia whereas the northern slopes make up for a lack of ruggedness by their scenic splendour.
My comments about the various routes and such are my own personal opinion . Please never forget the axiom of Mountie Benton Fraser

"Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance"

and always treat the hills and weather of Snowdonia with the utmost respect.

"Take only pictures, leave only footprints"

Click here to see a "hotspot" map of the Carneddau area

Route Descriptions

Read some of my suggested Carneddau walks

Pictures

May I recommend a visit to:

My Picture Gallery
The Lakes of the Carneddau

Weather

Three ways to get up to date weather forecasts for Snowdonia:-

(882m or 657m medium wave or Digital Satellite channel ) they broadcast a brief hillwalk forecast at the following times:

Day Mon-Fri Sat Sun
Times 06:58, 19:02 09:00 07:30, 12:00

or you can try The BBC Wales Homeland Weather page

Snowdon Weather Data - OK so Snowdon (Eryri) is not part of the Carneddau, but it's a very useful link!! (Find out what the weather has been like there today)

Calculate Sunset times

Be Safe on the hills! Be Safe on the hills! Be Safe on the hills! Be Safe on the hills!

Camp Sites and other useful information (please e-mail me with anything that others might find useful)

Links to other sites

Sign my Guest Book and/or make a comment

Walking in the Carneddau

Southern Section

Walk 1

Northern Section

Aber Falls, Foel-fras & Drum from Abergwyngregyn

Length : 9 miles - 14.5 km    Ascent : 3600 ft - 1090 m   Grade : Moderate/Hard

The Carneddau, located to the east of the A5 and south of the A55, contain the largest area of high ground over three thousand feet in England and Wales. Like many mountain ranges there are contrasts of landscape and this walk concentrates on the smooth grassy slopes and ridges rather than the rockier terrain further west. Despite this description this is a serious mountain route with some sections across unpathed territory. However once the summit of Foel Fras is gained the waking is easier. Starting from close to sea level the total ascent is also a serious consideration as is the likelihood of bad weather. Low cloud is a common problem and with little shelter on the hills rain and snow could also be very unpleasant.
The start is the Forestry Commission car park (grid ref. 664719) a mile or so south of Aber village. This parking area can be quite busy as its main use is for visitors making the short walk to Aber Falls. Alternative parking is available towards the village but this adds unwanted extra mileage to the walk. From the car park take the track that heads south to Aber Falls on the eastern side of the Afon Rhaeadr-fawr. Where the path forks bear left and follow this rising route towards the waterfall, which soon comes into view.
Cross the screes to the left of the falls and continue with the path as it is climbs along rocky ledges into the valley above. Stay on the eastern bank of the Afon Goch following a faint path. Continue on the path past the sheepfolds to reach a string of small waterfalls. This is where the hard work begins as you leave the stream to climb east over unpathed territory to the summit of Llwytmor with its cairn. Despite its height the view is disappointing and limited to an arc in the west.
The onward route takes you southeast to a col before an easy ascent to the summit of Foel-fras with its summit over the three thousand feet mark. For most of the way there is a narrow trod following the direct line although if you cannot find this then the going is unlikely to cause any problems. Leave Foel-fras by following the wall in a northeasterly direction and head for Drum. This is good quality ridge walking and the going is generally fast. From the substantial summit cairn there are good views.
Stay with the watershed fence and continue north to Carnedd y Ddelw. From here descend northeast for a short way to reach a secondary cairn where the fence turns northeast. Below you on your left is a track and you should descend to meet this (grid ref. 701710). If time is short then you can use tracks back to the start. However the more interesting option is to follow the ridge. Here a succession of minor rocky summits provide interesting walking despite the lack of clear paths. After climbing Pen-Bryn-du continue over Yr Orsedd, Foel-ganol and Foel Dduarth. The descent from the last summit needs to be chosen carefully as there is some steep ground on the western flank. The most practical option seems to be a wide sweep in a northerly direction to meet the track where it meets the overhead power lines (grid ref. 676720). All that remains is a downhill stroll along the track to a gate. Go through this and follow the lane back to the start.

The Northern Carneddau from Abergwyngregyn

Length : 12 miles - 20 km    Ascent : 3720 ft - 1130 m   Grade : Moderate/Hard

This walk takes in some of the less visited summits of the central Carneddau including three summits over three thousand feet. Because of this you should not treat this walk as a simple excursion into the hills. In addition not all of the route follows clear paths so it is recommended you chose a day with good visibility. Cloud dropping onto the summits is always a problem so the ability to use a map and compass is essential. Finally remember this part of the Carneddau offers few places to shelter in poor weather. However there is a purpose-built stone shelter near the summit of Foel Grach but bear in mind this is the furthest point from the start so it is a long way back to your transport.
The start is the Forestry Commission car park (grid ref. 664719) a mile or so south of Aber village (located just off the A55 North Wales coast road). This parking area can be quite busy as its main use is for visitors making the short walk to Aber Falls. Alternative parking is available towards the village but this adds unwanted extra mileage to the total.
From the car park take the track that heads south to Aber Falls on the eastern side of the Afon Rhaeadr-fawr. Stay with the main path along the river to reach a footbridge at the base of the falls. Go over the footbridge and follow the path alongside the fence as far as Afon Garn. Just after this stream cross the fence by using a dilapidated stile (grid ref. 662700) and head southwest. Select the best route climbing steadily over rough ground on an intermittent path to the col immediately east of the summit of Gyrn.
Reaching the col at a junction of paths (grid ref. 653690) turn southeast along the clear path that leads to Garnedd Uchaf. Immediately ahead lies Drosgl with the main route contouring across the side of this rounded top. To reach the summit leave the main path and complete an easy ascent. The reward is good views north to Anglesey and also west to the Glyders. The most interesting route from here to Garnedd Uchaf is to head for Bera Bach, an obvious rocky top under a kilometre away to the east. There is no clear path but the route is obvious. Continuing the next objective is Bera Mawr with its rocky crags and a position overlooking Cwm yr Afon Goch. These twin summits see few walkers and provide perfect places to spend some time.
The onward route continues to Garnedd Uchaf, which lies about two kilometres away in a south-easterly direction. The best route is a beeline aiming just to the south of the rocky eminence of Yr Aryg eventually picking up a clear path on the final section to the summit. Continuing walk south on a clear path to Foel Grach with its shelter. From here the views are superb especially across to Yr Elen and Carnedd Llewellyn.
Starting the return route retrace your steps to Garnedd Uchaf from where a path leads northeast to Foel-fras. This section along the ridge provides superb easy walking with good views on both sides. Descend from Foel-fras in a north-easterly direction leaving the main path to descend more steeply to the reach the eastern shores of Llyn Anafon and an access track (grid ref 700699). Some sections of this descent are on paths but subject to weather you can see the track from some distance so navigation is not a problem. Reaching the track head downhill for just under two kilometres until an obvious path forks off and down to your left (grid ref. 712685). Take this path, which follows the eastern bank of the Afon Anafon to reach a lane (grid ref. 716676). All that remains is to follow this lane downhill to the start.
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