Great Reasons to Visit North Wales - Part 1 Mountains

North Wales is famous for its mountains, our self-catering holiday cottages and farmhouse are nestled between the Clwydian and Snowdonia mountain ranges, offering easy access to both areas, just a short drive away.

The Clwydian range and Dee valley make up the scenic gateway to north Wales, these purple heather clad summits are topped with Britain’s most dramatically situated hill forts and Castles. The Range stretches from the Vale of Clwyd in the west to the Dee Estuary in the east; from Prestatyn Hillside in the north to the Nant y Garth pass in the south. Including well known places such as Loggerheads Country Park, A great place for a long or short family walk to discover the Clwydian range. Moel Famau the highest peak in the Clwydian range and Offa’s Dyke which passes through 8 counties in England and Wales.

Relax at our Holiday Cottages and hire our Hot Tub or Ice Bath after your Mountain Walk

Snowdon is the highest mountain in England and Wales and the Snowdonia National park can be seen from our self-catering Holiday Cottages and Farmhouse which make a great base to relax to after a hard days Walking or Climbing. Pen y Bryn farmhouse sleeps up to 14 people making it ideal for larger groups or if you are travelling with a smaller group why not book one of our four 3-bedroom self-catering holiday cottages each seeping up to 5 adults. Pen y Bryn Farmhouse, Primrose and Bluebell cottages all welcome well behaved pets so you can even bring along your four-legged friend for some dog walking in the mountains if you book one of our dog friendly cottages. Click here to find out more.

Snowdonia is a great place to go walking and there are a network of walks for people of all abilities. Whether you want to challenge yourself by ascending Snowdon or prefer a more leisurely walk along the coastline you will be greeted by breath-taking scenery and a range of diverse landscapes. The National park has a number of footpaths to take walkers up the rugged peaks, along the sandy beaches to the stunning lakes and rivers with their crystal-clear waters.

Wherever you choose to explore please be safe and be prepared. The weather can change very quickly - particularly when on a mountain, so always take extra warm clothes, carry some food and drink rations and safety equipment such as a torch a map and a way to call for help if needed, Always let someone know where you are going and dress appropriately for the weather.

There are several recommended paths to take for those travelling with small children in pushchairs or wheelchair users offering a short distance, nearby facilities and accessibility. The Janus Path is around 400m long, starting at the Snowdon rangers carpark. Dol Idris walk has approximately 1.25km of accessible path and starts at the Dol Idris Car park, Talyllyn on the B4485.Aber Falls Path, Starting and finishing at the Aber falls car park this 2-mile accessible walk has some steep sections.

These Leisure walks are all on easy ground with little or no gradient, you can complete part of the route or the whole trail, most can be completed in a few hours leaving you with time to take the train up to the top of Snowdon. Don’t forget to bring some comfortable walking shoes, waterproofs and binoculars to take in the views. Gwelfor, Aberdyfi. Starts and finishes Neuadd Dyfi, Aberdyfi. And takes around 2 hours to complete the 3-mile walk. Abergwynant Woods, this easy leisure walk starts at the Penmaenpool car park near Dolgellau and takes around 2 hours to complete. Bridges, Betws Y Coed, offers a walk of between 1-4 miles starting from the National park carpark, behind the information centre Betws y Coed. Cwm Penamnen, Dolwyddelan, Start and finish at Dolwyddelan train station, there is an easy 2-mile route that takes around 1 hour to complete or there is a moderate 6 miles walk that takes around 3 hours.

If you are looking for something a little more challenging then the following moderate leisure walks can take between a half and full day to complete. A great way to explore Snowdonia national park with less demanding terrain than the more challenging paths but still a great variation of steep and flat sections, farmland, rough footpaths, tarmac roads, marshes and streams. Great walks to take with the family and a picnic. Llanfairfechan Trail, this 4.5-mile walk takes you to the foothills of the Carneddau mountain range and takes around 4 hours to complete, Start and finish at the Three Streams Car Park Llanfairfechan. Rhyd Ddu, Beddgelert, Distance: 4½ miles Takes around 3 hours. Starts and ends SNPA Carpark Rhyd Ddu. LL54 6TN.Arthog, starting and finishing at the Arthog Carpark, the 9-mile walk takes around 6 hours to complete. Llyn Tegid, Bala, Start Commemorative Monument, Llanuwchllyn Finish: SNPA Car Park on Llyn Tegid Foreshore. This 7.5-mile walk takes around 5 hours to complete at a leisurely pace. Dyffryn Maentwrog, is a Footpath network of over 30km in total Location: Plas Tan y Bwlch and other various parking locations. Tomen y Mur, Trawsfynydd, Distance: 4 miles Time: Around 3 hours. Start/Finish: Car park near Trawsfynydd Nuclear Power Station. Torrent Walk, Dollgellau, Distance: 2½ miles, takes around 1-2 hours. Start/Finish: Lay-by near the village of Brithdir on the B4416

For the hardcore hikers, the following Hard leisure walks combine flat terrain with the occasional steep gradient and gradual ascents with some gorge walking on the Clogau path. For your hard work, you will be rewarded with great views of the Mountains, rivers, lakes and woodlands that make up the stunning Snowdonia scenery. Crimpiau, Capel Curig, Distance: 3.5 miles takes around 3 hours to complete. Start & Finish at SNPA Car Park, Capel Curig. Clogau, Bontddu, Distance: 4 miles. Time: 3 hours Start and Finish One of the lay-bys at the Dolgellau end of the village of Bontddu.

For those who want more mountainous terrain these easy mountain walks should have something to entice you. Cwm Idwal, Ogwen. One of the best examples of a glacial mountain in North Wales. The 3-mile walk starts and finishes at the Ogwen Valley wardens centre and takes around 2 hours to complete. Crimpiau, Capel Curig, from this tranquil spot you will enjoy magnificent views of the Snowdon horseshoe and Mymbyr valley, the Ogwen valley and Llyn Crafnant. The 3.5-mile circular walk takes around 3-4 hours to complete. Start and finish SNPA Carpark Capul Curig.

Finally, our Hard mountain walks have steep and challenging paths that will require some scrambling they are very demanding in places and should not be attempted by novice walkers. Pony Path, Ty Nant, Cader Idris. 6 miles long, and takes around 5 hours to complete. Starting at the Ty Nant car park. A reasonably safe route offering great views. Llanberis Path, Snowdon, the longest and most gradual path around 9 miles there and back takes 6 hours to complete. Starts and finishes at the far end of Victoria terrace Llanberis. Pyg Track, Snowdon. The most rugged and challenging of the 6 paths up Snowdon. The 7-mile walk takes around 6 hours to complete and starts and finishes at the Pen Y Pass carpark, off the A4086. Miners Track, Snowdon. This 8-mile track was originally built to serve the Britannia copper mine and takes around 6 hours to complete. Start and finish at the Pen Y Pass carpark. Snowdon Rangers Path, believed to be the earliest of the 6 main paths up Snowdon. The 8-mile track takes about 6 hours to complete. Start and Finish at Llyn Cwellyn Car Park off A4085. Rhyd Ddu Path, Snowdon. The quietest of the 6 main routes up Snowdon. The 8.5-mile route takes around 6 hours to complete and starts and finishes at the Rhyd, Ddu Car Park. Watkin Path, Snowdon. One of the harder paths this was the first designated footpath in Britain officially opened by Prime minister William Gladstone in 1892. The 8-mile track takes around 6 hours to complete. Start and finish at Pont Bethania Car Park, Nant Gwynant. Minffordd Path, Cader Idris. The Shortest footpath up Cader Idris but with the greatest ascent. A 6 mile walk that takes around 5 hours there and back. Start and finish at Dol Idris Car Park. Llanfihangel y Penant path, Cader Idris. The easiest of the footpaths up Cader Idris but the longest. This 10-mile walk takes around 7 hours there and back. Waen-Oer Ridge, the Waun-oer Ridge Walk climbs from the village of Dinas Mawddwy over the bare mountains of Maesglase, Craig Portas, Cribin Fawr and Waun-oer and then down the slopes of Mynydd Ceiswyn to Bwlch Llyn Bach pass, Tal-y-llyn. 9 miles takes 6 hours to complete. Start and finish Dinas Mawddwy car park, Bwlch Llyn Bach Pass (Tal-y-llyn pass) car park.

More information on these walks and climbs can be found on the Snowdonia national park and visit Clwydian range websites. To find prices and availability or to book one of our comfortable self-catering holiday cottages, located just a short drive away, Primrose Cottage, Bluebell Cottage, Lavender Cottage, Heather Cottage each sleeping up to 5 adults or Pen y Bryn Farmhouse sleeping up to 14 people, visit our website. www.holiday-cottages-north-wales.co.uk Email or call us penybryncottages@gmail.com 01745 822344.