Summer Solstice in Snowdonia

SUMMARY

Dates: Tuesday 20th June to Friday 23rd June – 3 nights/ 2.5 days walking

Guide: Anita Grey

Walking Grade: 2 Goats

Base: Glamping Bell tents by Bare Necessities at Llyn Gwynant Campsite, Snowdonia

Please arrive by 5pm on Tuesday for a briefing and an evening stroll

There is a train station in Bangor approx 40 minutes away and the nearest airport is Liverpool approx 1 hour away. There is car parking at the campsite.

Departure is after a morning walk or swim on Saturday.

If you need help with travel do get in touch with Helen our travel concierge service  – helen.wheatley@travelcounsellors.com   Or call on – 01522 716180/07775 927746

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

• Glamping Bell Tent accommodation with lake or river views. Tents will be allocated on a first come first basis.
• Breakfasts
• Pizza Night on Friday at Celina Gwynant Pizzas on the campsite
• Specialist guiding
• Local Transport

Not included: return travel to Llyn Gwynant Campsite and evening meals except the final pizza night, drinks

DETAILS

We will welcome in the summer of 2023 together on the shores of Lake Gwynant where we can swim and do a variety of walks from our tents. This is known as the most beautiful valley in Wales.

Our accommodation is in the beautiful bell tents provided by a small family run business based in the heart of Snowdonia. We have 8 tents with lake and river views. Each tent has a private toilet tent and is equipped with bedding. Each one has insulated flooring and is decorated with bunting,fairy lights and colourful rugs creating a cosy home for your stay.

The campsite has a cafe and a pizza place at the weekend. Breakfast and evenings we can cook or explore the local neighbourhood.

For swimmers this is a great holiday as we are right on the lake. Water quality is good and is regularly tested. Water can be fresh and cold as it is fed by mountain streams flowing into the Afon Glaslyn river from the summit of Snowdon itself.

ITINERARY

Itinerary – this will be finalised nearer the time once we know weather conditions.

Some of the local walks…

Cwm Bychan: 10-12km 300m ascent.

This walk starts 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.

Pen Y Pass and Llanberis: Between 12 and 19km depending on either and route we take. 400m ascent. 

This walk starts on the ancient drover s trail, to join a more recent path, which takes us up to the top of the Llanberis pass (Pen Y Pass) from there, we can catch the “Sherpa” bus down to the famous village of Llanberis, at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) 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. From there, we can walk up through the many levels of the slate quarries, and explore the slate museum, or enjoy a more leisurely stroll around Lyn Padarn (Padarn Lake)

Rhyd Ddu to Nant Gwynant: 12 kms, 400m ascent. 

A drop off on the South side of Snowdonia allows us to gently climb up to the stunning Bwlch Cwm Llan, the shoulder of the South Ridge of the mighty YrWyddfa (Snowdon) and down the valley of Afon Cwm Llan, where crystal clear waterfalls, perfect for bathing await us! We then join the famous Watkin path, through some ancient woodland, making our way back to camp.

Dinas Emrys 12km approx 300m ascent.

Discover the nature, legends and history of Dinas Emrys on this 12km walk through the picturesque Snowdonia countryside. There are many legends associated with this special area, most famously the story of the two dragons beneath the mountain! The story goes that King Vortigern wanted a castle on top of Dinas Emrys but that every time the work began the walls would fall down. The great wizard Merlin explained to the king that there were two fighting dragons beneath the hill, so the king commanded his workmen to dig down and release them. Once the hole was dug the warring dragons, one red and one white, flew from the hill and battled in the skies before the white one fled and the red one returned to its lair under the hill. Vortigern was then able to build his castle and the hill was named after Merlin (Myrddin Emrys) in thanks.