- Update 14 June 2006
Times, Routes, Call for Numbers
The routes are up - follow the short and long walk links above - please note that timings are provisional - depending on who is coming on the long walk the start time may be delayed a bit, also the short walk start time has to be ratified by the "Little Chef Posse"Please let me know about your party... It would really help for me to know the following
- Lead Name
- Mobile Phone Number - if you think I don't already have it
- Barbeque on Friday Night?
- Number staying in the cottage Friday Night
- Number camping at the cottage Friday Night
- Number of Long Walkers
- Number of Short Walkers
- Number of Non Walking Helpers - very useful in case of retirements
- Number eating with us on Saturday Evening*
- Any special requests - for example - only walking the first of second half of the long walk
- Update 28th May 2006
First Site Visit
I have been out to check the parking, access, routes, accomodation and restaurant... and here is all is...Venue
This years walk location is Blaenau Ffestiniog.
The short walk starts at Croesor and climbs the excellent Cnicht with views of the spectacular Cwm Croesor and then passes over the Moelwyn Plateau before descending to and following Ffestiniog Railway through native oak woodland and finishing at Tan-Y-Bwlch.
The long walk starts at the roman amphitheatre at the north end of Llyn Trawsfynydd, skirts east of the excessively steep Manod Mawr (just missing the Migneint (‘the place of swamps’), one of the largest, wildest, wettest, moorland bogs in all of Wales - something which I am saving for a future walk.), goes over Moel Penamnen, across the Crimea Pass and then joins the short walk at 53.00000°N 4.00000°W exactly.
Friday Night Barbeque & Accomodation
Dref Gerrig (literally 'Home of Rocks'), on the slopes of Cadair Idris. is a unique 17th century dry stone cottage. It has a house barn (attached to the main house), and a detached barn. It can sleep up to 20 people depending on the level of comfort - there are 3 shared rooms in the main house - the bunk beds - sleeping a total of 10 and then everyone else goes in the barn! All will need to bring own linen/sleeping bags. It is also possible to camp in the garden. The owners stress that the rustic atmosphere has been deliberately maintained.
Dref Gerrig is used by Scout parties and visiting families and is run on a non-profit basis. We have the run of the place from Friday afternoon through to Sunday - for around £100 + electricity (I have checked - there is a 10kW power shower!)
If you want to stay overnight on Friday or Saturday - please contact me soon to reserve a place. - it should cost less than £20 total for two nights
Accommodation is Dolgellau is limited, fills up fast - and last time I was paying £45 a night for a single in the town centre. When I phoned up there were rooms at the Fronoleu Hotel - where we are having our evening meal (dog and child friendly)How to get there:
The cottage is about 2 miles south from Dolgellau at (SH745167)
Heading from the Centre of Dolgellau - head east - and when you see the hospital signs - turn right (South) - go straight up the hill , after you cross the river (very sharp bends) continue up the steep and narrow lane - until you see a a gate in the wall on your left and a big yellow "Grit Bin" and a slate sign saying Dref Gerrig.
The track up to Dref is all weather but narrow - not suitable for camper vans or caravans. You will need to pass through two gates on your way to Dref - please close both of them after you.
Alternatively from the A470 at the Cross Foxes Inn - take the small road towards Tabor, and continue on until you join the route described above.
There will be a DIY Barbeque on the Friday evening - please come prepared with fuel, cooking devices and so on...
Burger? - One Kilo or Two?
Travelling TimesNote that these are "best, brisk driving, very early on a Saturday morning" times! No allowance is made for pickups, holdups or general messing around.Yes it is possible to beat these times but only if you want to die trying.
Distance Time Bournville to Dref Gerrig 108 miles 2 hrs 20 min Bournville to Short Walk Main Carpark (Tan Y Bwlch) 114 miles 2hr 17 min Bournville to Long Walk Carpark 113 miles 2hrs 14 min Dref Gerrig to Long Walk Carpark 17,3 miles 25 min Dref Gerrig to Short Walk Car Park 20 miles 26 min Short Walk Car Park to Short Walk Start (Croesor) varies 12 to 15 min Dref Gerrig to Fronoleu Country Hotel 2 miles (car), 900m (foot) 8 min (car) 10 min (foot) If you don't get lost that is.
...and some websites to check before you travel:
The A5 is closed (yes closed!) west of the Bala turn until further notice - find out more at
http://www.traffic-wales.com/
Also for static "safety camera" locations, mobile "safety camera" locations and "Community Concern" (check all three!) visit
http://www.arrivealive.org.uk/home/
And the sheep like to sleep on the
B4391
The Weather
Live Webcam with view towards CnichtThe official mountain weather forecast is here The 5 day forecast is here
Click Reload or F5 to update the webcam picture
You will need OS 1:25000 maps OL17 and OL18 - or if you are sneaky you can print out the bits you need from the OS website and stick them together - but this would be in contravention of copyright - which belongs to the OS - which belongs to the government which (supposedly) works for us... so anyway...
The short walk starts at Croesor (SH631446), ascends Cnicht and then descends along the ridge to a footpath (!) and then to a small tarn at 53°N 4°W (SH658466).
Here the short and long walks meet and we will all pose for our official confluence photographs. The keener short walkers can 'switch' to the 'hard' second part and weary long walkers can take the 'soft' second part.
The soft route passes ruined slate workings at and then gently climbs over a ridge, contours behind Llyn Stwlan and then descends to meet the railway at Llyn Ystradau Station. It is here that some of us will don our running shoes and race the last 3 miles (as per 1993), otherwise walk through beautiful, shady and level "temperate rainforest" back to Tan Y Bwlch
IMPORTANT The short walk will finish at Tan Y Bwlch Station but starts at Croesor some 2.6 miles to the North. The car park at Croesor is very small and has just one "portable" loo and, if it is a fine day, fills up early* in the morning. So all short walkers will meet at Tan Y Bwlch and then cram into the minimum number of cars possible and then travel to Croesor.
*The loo and the carpark!
The main car park for the short walk will be at Tan Y Bwlch Station ( SH649415) on the Ffestiniog Railway. There is a fair sized car park, proper toilets (open from 09:00 to 17:00) and a cafe (09:00 to 17:00). If the car park is full then there is overflow parking a short way north toward Rhyd and south at Llyn Mair. In the past several folks have gone to the wrong car park and panic has ensued - if you are late - do not go straight to Croesor without checking in at Tan Y Bwlch first
You may be able to get something for breakfast at the cafe - but I suggest you phone to check. The website says:
"The café at Tan-y-Bwlch offers a selection of light refreshments and hot, cold and alcoholic drinks**. Relax over a cream tea at one of our outside tables while the children enjoy themselves in the play area..."
(*There is a pub down the hill on the A487/B4410 junction but it looks pretty dire - I suggest you pack your own 'refreshment')
There are two routes to Croesor - the direct and the detour. The direct takes a single track road "without passing places" - there are 4 gates to open and close and in sections rocks make the route too narrow for anything bigger than a standard car. The turning for this road is on the right immediately as you pass under the railway bridge. It took me 15 minutes - opening and closing all the gates myself - will be quicker in convoy
The detour is via Rhyd and Garreg (SH612416) This took me 12 minutes - allow more if you would prefer not to have to clean vomit off the back seats - what you miss on the detour route is the excellent and best view of what you are just about to walk up...
Now that's what I call a real mountain!
Note it only looks this daunting from the one direction - the summit of Cnicht is at the end of a fine ridge and from the South West you are looking at a cross section. The image is copyright Dave Newbould - prints to buy and lots more here
Timings
- Leave Tan-Y-Bwlch Station for Croesor: 10:00
- Start Walking from Croesor: 10:30
- At 53°N 4°W: 13:15 to 13:45
- Return to Tan-Y-Bwlch: 17:30 - 18:00
- Arrive Dref Gerrig: 18:30 - 19:00
- Meal at Fronoleu: 20:00... til they chuck us out
6th July - ALL CHANGE... the long walk now starts at Tan-Y-Bwlch at about 09:45am
You will need OS 1:25000maps OL17 and OL18The long walk follows "The Ffestiniog Horseshoe" - we will start at the Roman Ampitheatre (SH708388). Note that the ampitheatre and fort are NOT signed from the A470 - it is very easy to miss the turning. Don't worry - head on to the junction with the A487 and execute a U-turn.
There is a small carpark where we will meet. It is hoped that cars will be collected by the short walkers and transferred to Tan Y Bwlch.
The walk heads North West over Forl Fawr and Graig Wen to cross the B4391 and then over Y Garnedd and skirting the West slopes of Manod Mawr to Moel Penamnen and down to the car park on the Crimea Pass (SH702489) - for breakfast - support willing!
From there we climb to meet with the short walkers at 53°N 4°W (SH658466)
The harder option then climbs over Moelwyn Mawr and the rocky ridge of Craigysgafn before rejoining the 'soft' option (see short walk description). On a clear day the view from Moelwyn Mawr is spectacular - even if the climb is a bit dull and painful. Timings
- Leave Dreg Gerrig for Long Start: 04:45
- Start Walking: 05:15
- At 53°N 4°W: 13:45
- Return to Tan-Y-Bwlch: 17:30
- Arrive Dref Gerrig: 18:30 - 19:00
- Meal at Fronoleu: 20:00... til they chuck us out
Depending on exact makeup of the "Long Walk Team" we may be able to set off a little later
The Confluence at 53°N 4°WI have put this in for all the geeks who want to see all the zeros come up on their GPS. We also have the opportunity to record our visit for the Degree Confluence Project.
Mobile PhonesDo not rely on these - coverage is patchy!
SafetyYou remain responsible for your own safety.Rule 1: Get yourself a "buddy" and stick together - one of you should have a map, details of the route, the "leader's" mobile phone number and know how to use all of these. If you need to nip behind a boulder, stop for a rest, or a photo or whatever - make sure your buddy knows and waits for you.
Rule 2: The walk leader will check you onto and off the hills. If you wish to abandon the walk, to follow a different route or rush on ahead then please let the walk leader know. Do not rely on anyone else telling the leader - if we end up thinking that you are still out on the hills or miss you in the car park we will be calling out the Mountain Rescue.
If you are not an experienced hill walker then please consult someone who is - it is quite possible to kill yourself in the Welsh Hills - even in the summer - or at least have a very miserable time if you don't bring the right gear and follow a few sensible guidelines.
These are serious mountains - with big cliffs and few paths - you can make the day unpleasant for your co-walkers, who may end up end up waiting, worrying, searching and carrying (hopefully not burying).
That said do not worry if you are a slow walker - we will wait for you!
DogsDogs are welcome on the Long and Short walks. Please note that we will be walking on public footpaths and on "access land". The recent change in the law permits walking on designated access land - I am unclear whether the right to bring your dog is included or not. I do not expect it to be a problem as I have seen plenty of dogs on these hills. In any case please note that:- This is sheep country - please keep your dog on a lead - farmers are entitled to shoot and have shot dogs running free - whether or not they are bothering sheep at the time.
- The whole short walk route is do-able on 4 legs but you may have to detour on the way up Cnicht to avoid a couple of steep and rocky sections. I have not walked the whole of the long route - I do not anticipate any unavoidable unsurmountable obstacles.
- Amongst other hazards there is a sheer drop off the south face of Cnicht and a number of un- and poorly- fenced mine shafts close to our route. There are also bogs, tarns, crags and bits of abandoned industrial ironwork. Use of a lead at all times is recommended.
"What happened to the stream train ride then?"
On investigation it turned out it will not be practical to travel by steam train - there are only 4 per day and the railway is set up around the use of "day return to Porthmadog" tickets at £15 each. I understand that it is possible to flag the locomotive down at one of the request halts and pay on the train - but I have been unable to confirm prices via the website - and the stations I visited were unmanned. We will be passing by Dduallt Halt - if we are a week bit late you may have to opportunity to ride back to Tan Y Bwlch (leaves Blaenau FFestiniog at 17:35, arrives at Tan Y Bwlch at 18:05.Saturday Eating
Following last years success* we are revisting the Fronoleu Country Hotel
Tel:+44 (0) 1341 422361( website here ) and located at (SH748175)"Secretly secluded, surrounded by wild Welsh beauty and overlooking the magnificent Mawddach estuary, this unique country hotel emanates a warm and friendly atmosphere, and is deeply embedded in local history and culture.
Ideal for large formal events or for cosy meals to the sound of a local harper. Fronoleu means 'Light From Within'. It is a name associated with the early quakers who lived here; it probably arose from the quaker doctrine of the 'inner light'.
It still remains a working farm, but in its role as country house hotel and restaurant it has established a great reputation for fine food and comfortable accommodation."
*Ask anyone who came last year!
Saturday AccomodationIf memory serves - it was quite difficult to find rooms in Dolgellau - if you are not going to join us at Dref Gerrig then there are still a few rooms available at the Fronoleu Hotel - mostly doubles, the owners have further accomodation in Dolgellau.Note the Fronleu seems particularly dog friendly - every guest there seemed to have at least one dog with them...
Dref nominally takes 12 but has squeezed in more but this is in "The Barn"
I am checking with the custodian whether this is available this year. I will lay on sufficient tentage for folks "lower down the list" who may prefer* to sleep outside but you will need to bring a sleeping mat or lilo.
*or if we get a real crowd have no choice about sleeping in the garden.
Strictly in order reservation received...
Night NavigationThe advance party had carefully scouted out the walking route from Dref to Ffronleu, but the drinking party had driven round – intending to leave their cars at the pub and walk back over the misty fields and through the dark woods after closing time...After a very very long time, with the drinking party failing to show up, a call was made:
- "where are you all?"
- "We haven't a ****ing clue”"
- "What can you see?"
- "Nothing, its pitch black”"
- "I'll jump up and down so the security lights come on"
- "No good, still can't see a thing"
'New' Diggler Dirt Dawg in the barn. If you break both your legs...
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