North Wales
North Wales
My first visit to the North Wales coast was to Llandudno with my sister and her children in the eighties, and I have since used the Great Orme - a bit of a tiddler at 207m - as an alternative to the Worcestershire Beacon when checking that I can still get uphill after a period of relative inactivity. I have now started to branch out.
Sat 27th Sep 2008: Betws-y-coed
Distance: 12½m, Climb: 1650 ft
There are plenty of walks starting from Betws-y-coed and avoiding civilisation - those with access to an OS map of the area will be able to get a good idea of the route Alex and I took if I list some of the landmarks we passed: Llyn y Parc, Pen y Parc, Hafna Mine, Llyn Glangors, Llyn Geirionydd, Llyn Bychan, Glyn Farm, and returning to Betws by paths running roughly parallel to the river, but not descending to it until well past Swallow Falls.
As can be expected of walks in this area it was most enjoyable with much managed woodland and extensive views of hills in the clear areas.
Thu 28th May 2009: Llandudno Junction - Llanfairfechan
Distance: 10m, Climb: 1680 ft
Really Conwy to Llanfairfechan, but it was as quick to get out at Llandudno junction and cross the river to Conwy as to wait for a connecting train. Largely I followed the route of the North Wales path, though cut through the woods in Conwy, 'cos I thought it would be nicer. Having passed under Alltwen to the car park I elected not to pass through the gate but took a path that roughly followed the stone wall. Just short of Fairy Glen a corridor is formed by two stone walls leading upwards and rejoining the North Wales path. I kept to this until nearing my destination I had reached tarmac road. At a junction where the North Wales path is indicated left (it leads to Nant-y-Pandy) I turned right, obviously a more direct route down to Llanfairfechan. Plenty of good views of sea, valley and mountain to admire en-route with a path that is always easy to follow.
Sat 20th Jun 2009: Llanfairfechan - Carnedd Llewelyn and back
Distance: 17½m, Climb: 4600 ft
Almost the longest of my 2008/9 walks, and easily the one with the greatest amount of climbing, even though it was done as a day trip from home. But it didn't feel so since apart from short sections climbing out of Llanfairfechan, upto Foel-fras from the depression separating it from Drum, and the last bit up loose stone to Carnedd Llewelyn none of the climbing was noticeably steep. Indeed the lion's share of the climb, to Drum (760m), is easy walking along first a path and then a track. Indeed only between Drum and Foel-fras is the ground at all boggy, and here there is a paved path for some of the way. Beyond Foel-fras the area is open with many broad gentle slopes so that creating ones own path is an option for those who so choose.
Passing Drum one can look down onto Llyn Anafon, but mostly on this walk one is dealing with distant views rather than dramatic near ones. This changes at Carnedd Llewelyn (1064m), beyond which steep drops lend drama; the ridge walk to Carnedd Dafydd (1044m, but looks higher than Llewelyn) appearing particularly tempting as a means of getting ones pulse racing.
The walk was undoubtedly good exercise, but perhaps an overnight stay in Betws-y-Coed would enable an early approach from the south to Llewelyn, with steeper more demanding climbs and time to test my desire for proper ridge walks.
Mon 12th Oct 2009: Colwyn Bay - Llandudno
Distance: 7½m, Climb: 470 ft
A miniature effort, with the length padded out with a mile of town walking at either end, and the only climb being over the Little Orme. Really just a seaside stroll with a bit of clambering in the middle. But it was enjoyable clambering. And an excellent fish supper at the end of the walk.