Guided Walking
in Snowdonia

Ray Hind

Abercelyn

Llanycil, Bala

LL23 7YF

Gwynedd, Wales, UK

Tel: 01678 521109

Tel (int.): +44 1678 521109

Fax: 01678 520848

Fax (int.): +44 1678 520848

 E-mail: info@AdvPlus.co.uk

Send Mail

Link to:
Abercelyn Country House

Bala is located in the Snowdonia National Park
in North Wales, UK

Ray Hind is a member of the UK Mountain Leader Training Association

© 2007 Abercelyn Country House

Guided Walking in Snowdonia

Mountain regions

Example Categories of Walks

• Scenic walks: typically 3-5 hours and ascending up to 2000 ft (600 m), e.g:

  • A local walk to Moel-y-garnedd (1200 ft/360 m) which starts and finishes at Abercelyn and provides views of the three local mountain ranges.

  • Lake Bala views walk: which traverses the ridge on the opposite side of the Lake from Abercelyn and has excellent views of the Lake, the Arenigs and the Arans.

  • Mawddach Estuary: a circular walk with views of Cadair Idris as well as the famous Estuary.

  • Pistyll Rhaeadr walk: a visit to Wales highest waterfall (240 ft high).

  • Cwm Hirnant and the far western Berwyn Mountains: a circular walk with tremendous views.

  • Precipice Walk: one of Snowdonia’s short classic walks with varied, magnificent views.

  • New Precipice Walk: and Foel Ispri: the magnificent views but much quieter than The Precipice Walk.

   

• High-level walks (local and Classic walks of Snowdonia): strenuous walks typically 6-9 miles, 5-6 hours and ascending up to 3000 ft (900 m), e.g:

  • The famous Aran ridge (2971 ft/906 m)

  • Arenig Fawr (2800 ft/854 m)

  • The best of the Berwyns: Cadair Bronwen (2575 ft/785 m), Cadair Berwyn (2757 ft/827 m) and Moel Sych (2757 ft/827 m)

  • Cadair Idris (2930 ft/893 m) the Cwm Cau circuit

  • Rhinog Fawr (2360 ft/720 m) via the Roman Steps

  • Snowdon the easy way (3560 ft/1085 m)

  • Cnicht (2297 ft/700 m) the Welsh Matterhorn.

Mountain ranges around Bala

To the west of Bala is the Arenig mountain range with 13 summits above 2000 ft (600 m). Arenig Fawr (854 m) is the principal summit. To the east of Bala is the Berwyn mountain range with 24 summits above 2000 ft (600 m). The best walk in the Berwyns is Cadair Berwyn (2723 m/ft 830 m). To the south of Bala is the Aran mountain range with 14 summits above 2000 ft (600 m). The Aran ridge covers the principal summits including Aran Fawddwy (2969 ft/905 m) and Aran Benllyn (2904 ft/885 m).

The Arenig mountain range viewed from the Berwyns opposite Abercelyn

Arans: The northern-end of the Aran ridge (Llanuwchllyn) is 10 minutes from Abercelyn by car, Cwm Cywarch near Dinas Mawddwy (at the southern-end) is 45 minutes from Abercelyn by car. Walks include:

• The Arans Main Traverse: 9 miles (15 km), 5 hours, a classic ridge walk (2600 ft/800 m ascent)

• Aran Circuit: 11 miles (18 km), (3400 ft/1000 m ascent) a circular walk to Aran Fawddwy (2971 ft/906 m), start/finish at Cwm Cywarch

Moel Llyfnant summit

Arenig Fawr (2800 ft/854 m): (start/finish: west-end of Llyn Celyn, 10 minutes from Abercelyn by car). On the summit is a memorial to American Airman whose Flying Fortress crashed on the mountain after flying from the USA. Walks include:

• Arenig Fawr including Foel Boeth and Moel Llyfnant, 11 miles (18 km), (3300 ft/1000 m ascent).

• Arenig Fawr: A circular walk over an isolated mountain, 8 miles (12 km), 4-5 hours, (1800 ft/550 m ascent)

Arenig Fach (2260 ft/689m)

Berwyns: the northern end of the Berwyn mountain range is easily reached, e.g. Llandrillo (15 minutes minutes from Abercelyn by car), whereas the southern part is further but can be combined with a visit to Wales’s tallest waterfall “Pistyll Rhaedr” at Tan-y-pistyll (45 minutes from Abercelyn by car). Walks include:

• Cadair Berwyn Horseshoe: 9 miles (14 km), (2600 ft/800 m ascent) start/finish: Tyn y ffridd (40 minutes from Abercelyn by car) near Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant

• Cadair Bronwen, Cadair Berwyn and Moel Sych from Llandrillo (15 minutes from Abercelyn by car): a strenuous, circular walk that includes the three major peaks of the Berwyns 11 miles (17 km), (2950 ft/900 m ascent) Or start at Tan y Pistyll (45 minutes by car) to Moel Sych and Cadair Berwyn via Llyn Lluncaws and the secret path, which weaves up the outcrops west of the lake almost invisible from below.

• Pistyll Rhaeadr (Spout) waterfall (240 ft high): 3 miles (5 km), easy Tan-y-pistyll (45 minutes by car)

• Berwyns (2713 ft/827 m): 7 miles (12 km), 4 hours, difficult walk (2100 ft/650 m ascent), start/finish: Tan-y-pistyll (45 minutes by car)

Cadair Idris (2930 ft/893 m): (south of Dolgellau, 35 minutes drive from Abercelyn) has several routes:

• The Cwm Cau circuit 8 miles (13 km)

• The Pony Track: 5 miles (9 km)

• The Fox & Pony Path: 9 miles (14 km), 6 hours (3300 ft/1000 m ascent)

• Minffordd Path: 7 miles (11 km), 5 hours (2500 ft/750 m ascent).

Other mountain areas accessible from Abercelyn

Glyders & Tryfan (3279 ft/999 m): (Capel Curig/Llyn Ogwen, 50-60 minutes from Abercelyn by car)

• The Glyders: 5 miles (8 km), 6 hours, start/finish: Ogwen

• The Glyder Traverse: 12 miles (20 km), 7 hours, (4800 ft/1460 m ascent), start: Capel Curig (45 minutes from Abercelyn) finish: Bethesda (60 minutes from Abercelyn)

• Tryfan & Bristly Ridge (3279 ft/999 m): 7 miles (11 km), 6 hours, difficult, some scrambling, exposed parts (3100 ft/950 m ascent), start/finish: Llyn Ogwen (50 minutes from Abercelyn by car)

• Cwm Idwal (1150 ft/350 m): 3 miles (5 km), 1 hour, start/finish: the Ogwen Cottage (50 minutes from Abercelyn by car)