Mark Wormald

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The Carneddau - Snowdonia's Royal Giants
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The Carneddau mountain range, meaning "the cairns", is just to the west of the Conwy Valley and is the heart of Snowdonia. They run in a band from Conwy to Capel Curig and take in some of the biggest mountains south of the Scottish Highlands 
 
These mountains are relatively quiet compared to Snowdon and the Glyderau are truly wild, but very different from the other high mountain groups. With Wild Horses, Castles, Quaries & 3000' peaks this area has some of the best mountaineering on offer. There are some brilliant mountain biking too!
 
This region is offers a fantastic range of places to camp wild and it's own fully fledged bothy! They do exist outside Scotland! 
The Low Down
The Carneddau range offers a number of linear & circular walks that take in the great features of this area. These walks are not for the tourist or the unprepared. These mountains are serious mountains without the additions of well define paths
There are many entry points into the range but YHA Idwal Cottage & the village of Capel Curig provide ideal bases to explore the Carneddau from. Idwal Cottage takes you straight into the Heights, scaling Pen yr Ole Wen direct or skirting around to try a flanking attack. Capel Curig allows entry into the foot hills, but don't expect it easy!
 
A north to south traverse brings many delights as you gain height above the sea and climb high inland, a starting point for this could be a tiny car park at Bwlch y Ddeufaen(SH721715),  not far from YHA Rowen. If you choose to start here, even the car journey could be an adventure!
A more obscure access can be found at a car park at SH731662
 
Remember
These names are royal names, with lots of history. Llewelyn was the last true Welsh Prince of Wales, Dafydd was his brother. Llewelyn's wife was Eleanor, his daughter was Gwenllian. The history is fascinating, and helps to explain some of the deep seated rivalry between the Welsh and the English
 
Garnedd Uchaf was renamed Carnedd Gwenllian in September 2009
The Main Peaks
  • Carnedd Llewelyn 1064
  • Carnedd Dafydd 1044
  • Pen yr Ole Wen 978
  • Foel Grach 976
  • Yr Elen 962
  • Foel-fras 942
  • Garnedd Uchaf / Carnedd Gwenllian 926
  • Llwytmor 849
  • Pen yr Helgi Du 833
  • Bera Bach 807
  • Pen Llithrig y Wrach 799
  • Bera Mawr 794
  • Drum 770
  • Drosgl 758
  • Craig Eigiau 735
  • Carnedd y Ddelw 688
  • Creigiau Gleision 678
  • Gyrn Wigau 643
  • Craiglwyn 623
  • Pen y Castell 623
  • Tal y Fan 610
  • Foel Lwyd 603
Guided Walks
Guided walks are arranged in the Carneddau as Invitation Walks or upon request and can be part of a bigger adventure if you so desire.
 
Individual walks would be over a full day, or if you want more, over multiple days.

 

The multiple days would require camping or using bunkhouse or hostel accommodation, which I can book at an extra cost. However you can if you wish arrange B&B privately.

 
If you are interested in a guided walk in the Carneddau please use the form below
 
Costs of walks:
Full day £35.00 per person, minimum charge of £75.00 applies.
Maximum of eight clients per walk. All walks led by a qualified Mountain Leader.
 
I regret that I am unable to take unescorted under 18s due to AALA rules.
 
 
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