Secrets of Eryri (Secret Snowdonia)

SUMMARY

Dates: Friday  May 5th to  Monday May 8th 3 nights/3.5 days walking

Guide: Anita Grey

Walking Grade: 2 Goats – there will be mountains but slow and steady. Expect 10km walks with 600m ascent. Average fitness

Base: The Royal Victoria Hotel, Llanberis.

Arrive by 15.00 on Friday afternoon for check in, settle in and so there is a possibility of an early evening walk. Briefing with your guide is at 18.00 followed by dinner. Departure afternoon on Monday after a morning walk. Arrange travel for after 14.00.

Nearest station Bangor/Gwynedd is 12 miles away.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester International Airport are a couple of hours away by car. The hotel has a car park for guests.

Price: £550 per person for the holiday to include:

• ensuite room – bed and breakfasts. No supplement for solo travellers.
• 2 dinners at the hotel on first and last night. Saturday night is free to explore Llanberis and try out a local restaurant.
• 3 packed lunches on Sat,Sun and Mon.
• expert local guiding
• local travel to walks

Not included is :

• dinner on Saturday
• drinks
• travel to LLanberis where our holiday begins.

DETAILS

Over the weekend we will explore the rolling valley of Maesgwm, the magnificent Gwynant valley taking in the dramatic Aberglaslyn Gorge and explore Llanberis and all it has to offer.There are also wonderful lakes for refreshing dips for any swimmers.

Anita is a very experienced guide and perfect for helping you ease into more mountainous walking and build fitness for those who need it.

ITINERARY

Arrival at our base The Royal Victoria Hotel.

The guide will welcome you at 6pm for a briefing pre dinner with dinner at 7pm at the hotel. We suggest arriving for a 15.00 check in and  to explore or just sit and relax in this gorgeous location.

The Royal Victoria Hotel is uniquely located close to Llanberis at the foot of Snowdon, within 30 acres of their very own gardens and woodlands, which include the historic castle of Dolbadarn. Being cradled between two lakes, Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris, as well as the Welsh mountains the location is quite simply breathtaking.

​Day One: Saturday : Llanberis to Rhyd Ddu. 10kms. 400metres of ascent/descent

We will wander up through the Victoria woods for 20 minutes (chance for a coffee stop at Steffan’s mountain café ) before wandering past streams and waterfalls, to the ancient bridleway up the rolling valley of Maesgwm , which will, hopefully reward us views of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) From Bwlch Maesgwm at 467 metres, we will make our way gently down and across hillsides and an old quarry workings, on the Slate Trail, to the small hamlet of Rhyd Ddu , in the beautiful Cwellyn valley, where, after refreshments, we will be picked up by taxi.

​Day Two: Sunday: Gwynant Valley, Cwm Bychan, Aberglaslyn gorge Beddgelert. 9kms.300 metres of ascent/descent.

Today we will be taxied up the famous Llanberis Pass, and down the magnificent Gwynant valley, to start our walk on the lapping shores of Llyn Dinas. Our gradual ascent of 300 metres will take us into fascinating old copper mine workings, and a delightful woodland descent alongside a stream, feeding into the dramatic Aberglaslyn Gorge. Our path then follows this gorge, past the mythical “gelert’s grave” into the village of Beddgelert, for refreshments, prior to our taxi pick up.

​Day Three: Monday :Llyn Padarn circuit. 9kms. Flat

Delightful half day stroll around Llyn Padarn, taking in Dolbadarn Castle, the famous Llanberis slate museum, ancient sessel oak woodland, and a halfway café stop at Y caban. Llanberis is steeped in fascinating history of the industrious slate industry, soon to achieve National Heritage status, as well as the numerous steam railways, including the Snowdon Mountain Railway.

Departure from LLanberis after the walk.