Anna’s guidebook
hiking
The main event. Standing at over 3,500 feet, Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon is the highest mountain in both Wales and England. More than 300,000 people climb it each year, so be prepared for crowds at peak times (excuse the pun). This also makes parking an issue - when busy, the main carpark at the top of the Llanberis Pass is usually full by 7am. There are spaces on the side of the road near to the P.Y.G, but again they fill up quickly, so be prepared for an early start if that’s where you’re planning to park. The most popular paths up are the Pyg and the Miners (which start from the aforementioned car park), both are well maintained and are suitable for hikers of all abilities. If you want to try something more adventurous, the Horseshoe Ridge offers one of the best ridge-walks in the UK. However, it’s not recommended if you are afraid of heights or if the conditions are poor (high winds, thick cloud etc). The route up Crib Goch is technically a Grade 1 scramble, so be prepared for trickier terrain. If the weather is fine, then the views are stunning - ranging from Anglesey all the way down Cardigan Bay. For quieter routes up, both the Watkin and the Ranger paths may be your best bet.
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Snowdon
The main event. Standing at over 3,500 feet, Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon is the highest mountain in both Wales and England. More than 300,000 people climb it each year, so be prepared for crowds at peak times (excuse the pun). This also makes parking an issue - when busy, the main carpark at the top of the Llanberis Pass is usually full by 7am. There are spaces on the side of the road near to the P.Y.G, but again they fill up quickly, so be prepared for an early start if that’s where you’re planning to park. The most popular paths up are the Pyg and the Miners (which start from the aforementioned car park), both are well maintained and are suitable for hikers of all abilities. If you want to try something more adventurous, the Horseshoe Ridge offers one of the best ridge-walks in the UK. However, it’s not recommended if you are afraid of heights or if the conditions are poor (high winds, thick cloud etc). The route up Crib Goch is technically a Grade 1 scramble, so be prepared for trickier terrain. If the weather is fine, then the views are stunning - ranging from Anglesey all the way down Cardigan Bay. For quieter routes up, both the Watkin and the Ranger paths may be your best bet.
Depending on which angle you view it from, Cnicht either looks like a truly difficult ascent, or a fairly non-descript hummock. Accessible from the back of the barn, the ‘Welsh Matterhorn’, to use its nickname, is a comparatively easier task than Snowdon, at under half the distance, yet it still offers similarly majestic views. The usual route starts in the Croesor valley, sandwiched between Moelwyn Mawr and Cnicht itself – if you fancy a bigger day out, then the full loop of both mountains is also highly recommended – before rising steadily up the ridge all the way to the top. There is a small scramble just below the summit, but apart from that it is fairly easy going. Again, it should be noted that the ridge drops steeply to the right-hand side all the way to the Croesor valley below, so it can feel exposed at some points on the walk.
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Cnicht
Depending on which angle you view it from, Cnicht either looks like a truly difficult ascent, or a fairly non-descript hummock. Accessible from the back of the barn, the ‘Welsh Matterhorn’, to use its nickname, is a comparatively easier task than Snowdon, at under half the distance, yet it still offers similarly majestic views. The usual route starts in the Croesor valley, sandwiched between Moelwyn Mawr and Cnicht itself – if you fancy a bigger day out, then the full loop of both mountains is also highly recommended – before rising steadily up the ridge all the way to the top. There is a small scramble just below the summit, but apart from that it is fairly easy going. Again, it should be noted that the ridge drops steeply to the right-hand side all the way to the Croesor valley below, so it can feel exposed at some points on the walk.
Standing on the opposite side of the Croesor valley, Moelwyn Mawr is Cnicht’s slightly larger cousin. Although higher in altitude, it’s a much gentler walk, the main route starts from the car park and follows a wide track all the way to an old slate mining station. After that, the path is slightly hit and miss for a bit, as it bends round to the right and up some pillowy grass. You soon find yourself on a bit of a plateau, before the path appears again, following the wide ridge all the way to the top. Some different views of Snowdonia, with Moel Siabod easily recognisable, and overlooking the former slate mining capital of Wales, Blaenau Ffestiniog.
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Moelwyn Mawr
Standing on the opposite side of the Croesor valley, Moelwyn Mawr is Cnicht’s slightly larger cousin. Although higher in altitude, it’s a much gentler walk, the main route starts from the car park and follows a wide track all the way to an old slate mining station. After that, the path is slightly hit and miss for a bit, as it bends round to the right and up some pillowy grass. You soon find yourself on a bit of a plateau, before the path appears again, following the wide ridge all the way to the top. Some different views of Snowdonia, with Moel Siabod easily recognisable, and overlooking the former slate mining capital of Wales, Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Food scene
A lovely café set in an old chapel, perched at the bottom of the Watkin path, this is one of the best places around for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a bit of light refreshment if you have just come down from Snowdon. There’s a good variety to the menu, and they source from a lot of local independent businesses.
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Caffi Gwynant
A lovely café set in an old chapel, perched at the bottom of the Watkin path, this is one of the best places around for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a bit of light refreshment if you have just come down from Snowdon. There’s a good variety to the menu, and they source from a lot of local independent businesses.
Run by a trio of the loveliest lads you will meet, this shop/café rivals Caffi Gwynant for the best breakfast in the area. The shop is your closest one-stop for all the essentials and products from local suppliers. They bake a mean sourdough loaf, and even do order-to-takeaway sourdough pizza on Friday and Saturday nights.
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Y Garreg Shop and Kitchen
Run by a trio of the loveliest lads you will meet, this shop/café rivals Caffi Gwynant for the best breakfast in the area. The shop is your closest one-stop for all the essentials and products from local suppliers. They bake a mean sourdough loaf, and even do order-to-takeaway sourdough pizza on Friday and Saturday nights.
My favourite bookshop
Worth the trip to Porthmadog alone, Browsers is one of my all time favourite bookshops. Despite the size, they have a fantastic range; from literary classics, to historical guides of the local area, and everything in between, there really is something for everyone.
Browsers Bookshop
73 High StWorth the trip to Porthmadog alone, Browsers is one of my all time favourite bookshops. Despite the size, they have a fantastic range; from literary classics, to historical guides of the local area, and everything in between, there really is something for everyone.
my favourite atmospheric pint!
If you want to feel like you’ve travelled back in time, then it’s well worth having a pint in the PYG. Adorned with pictures and climbing regalia of pioneering mountaineers from days gone by, this cosy pub is the home of where many an Everest expedition was planned. With snug booths, it’s also a great place to relax weary legs if you’ve been walking on Snowdon or in the surrounding area.
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Pen Y Gwryd Hotel
If you want to feel like you’ve travelled back in time, then it’s well worth having a pint in the PYG. Adorned with pictures and climbing regalia of pioneering mountaineers from days gone by, this cosy pub is the home of where many an Everest expedition was planned. With snug booths, it’s also a great place to relax weary legs if you’ve been walking on Snowdon or in the surrounding area.