Pen yr Ole Wen from Y Garn

Pen yr Ole Wen - Pen yr Helga Du Horseshoe

Directions:- A good circular route from the Ogwen valley. Start up the east ridge of Pen y Ole Wen (an energetic scramble), turn north to Carnedd Dafydd, continue north to Carnedd Llewelyn, then turn east to Pen y Helga Du, finally descending to the Ogwen valley down a long broad grassy hillside.

Plas-y-Nant comment:- An energetic day, a good mixture of scrambling, path walking and gentle grassland, with some excellent views.

Creigiau and the Ogwen Valley

Creigiau Gleision

Directions:- Start behind the Old Post Office in Capel Curig. Across the A5 there is a stile & a footpath, follow this uphill to the summit of Crimpiau. Then descend west and curve round to the north following the distinct ridge over two other minor hills to the summit of Creigiau Gleision. Head north east along the crags then descend to the north east shore of Llyn Cowlyd. Follow the path all the way along the north west shore, then fork left heading back towards the A5 and Capel Curig.

Plas-y-Nant comment:- A good walk – starts gently, accelerates to a scramble, then a pleasant walk back along the lakeside.

Yr Elen from the north

Yr Elen

Directions:- From Gerlan (by Bethesda), walk up past the water pumping station and onto the open moor. Follow the Afon Llafar stream up the valley. Head for the ridge on the left-hand side of the stream and climb it to the summit of Yr Elen. From here it is a short ridge ascent to Carnedd Llewelyn. Return the same way, or north via Foel Grach and Garnedd Uchaf and down; or south via Carnedd Dafydd and down.

Plas-y-Nant comment:- A varied walk – woodland, open moor and some rocky scrambling.

Aber Falls

Above Aber Falls

The high Carneddeau is easy walking, and this walk takes you to the rocky “haystacks” of the Beras, in a circle above Aber falls.

Directions:- Park and start just south of the village of Abergwyngregyn on the A55. There is a nature trail along the river, which takes you onto the Aber falls access track. Initially you follow this track towards the falls until a sign “Through the plantation”. Take this path through the forest to the river valley above Aber falls. Follow the valley up until a col is seen, where you head up to the summit of Llwytmor. Then head for Foel Fras, then south to Garnedd Uchaf, then back north west to Bera Mawr and Bera Bach. Descend east back to the river, then follow the river back to the top of the falls. You can return through the forest or descend and visit the base of Aber falls.

Plas-y-Nant comment:- Another varied walk – woodland, open moor and then some high ridge walking. Great views.