Walks and Walking in Snowdon – The Miners and PYG Tracks

Walks and Walking in Snowdon – The Miners and PYG (Pig) Tracks

Our day starts driving up to the Youth Hostel at Pen-y-Pass, Llanberis, Gwynedd. The morning was absolutely beautiful and the sky was clear blue. We were all strapped up in sensible walking clothes, sturdy walking boots and much needed walking poles. Lunch and extra layers were all packed in our rucksacks and away we went!

We couldn’t help but stop at Pen-y-Gwryd to take a picture of the lake that looked like a sheet of glass and was absolutely breathtaking.

The Lake at Pen-y-Gwryd

When we arrived at Pen-y-Pass we decided to take the Miners Track up and then the PYG Track back. That way we got some really good views of the lakes; Llyn Llydaw and Llyn Glaslyn. At the beginning of the walk you can turn left along the Miners Track or right for an early climb up to the PYG Track with the walk covering about 8 miles of very interesting scenery.

The Start of the Miners Track in Snowdon

We turned left along the Miners Track which is one beautiful long, and for the most part paved, track up to the mine ruins (which is where we were supposed to turn right to join the PYG Track above us!). However, we were seduced by the frozen lake so stopped to take loads of photos and breathe in that amazing clean, crisp and very fresh air.

This is where we should have turned right to meet the PYG Track

Frozen lake at Llyn Llaslyn Snowdon

The track was built during the 1800’s to serve Britannia Copper Mines which were abandoned in 1917.  Mine Manager Arthur Lockwood drove his car to Llyn Glaslyn, and the track to this point at the lake still resembles a road so is a good walking surface. When the lake came to an end we followed some other walkers up a very steep and snowy path to where the summit lies.

Scrambling up to the PYG Track Snowdon

The view back down to Llyn Glaslyn in Snowdon from the PYG Track

The PYG Track then meets the Llanberis Path  and, at this point you turn left and follow the track to be at the top in about 10 minutes.

As with all Snowdon walks, you then turn back and walk the way you came. However, we walked back along the PYG Track to Pen-y-Pass taking one last glance back towards Snowdon and what was a fantastic and enthralling walk.

One last view of Snowdon as we make our way along the PYG Track to Pen-y-Pass

Walks And Walking in Swansea, South Wales

Walks And Walking in Swansea, South Wales

If you are looking for beautiful and breathtaking scenery that is very easily accessible to get to then I can’t recommend Swansea enough! Swansea is in South Wales and although it is, and has been, known mainly as an industrial area it is a brilliant location for walks and walking, at all levels.

I stayed there for a week with the family and certainly had some great experiences out in the Welsh Mountains, Coastal Walking along the Gower Peninsula, exploring Welsh Waterfalls, tasting Welsh Whisky and riding the well preserved Welsh Mountain Railway Line in a steam engine.

Sunset over Swansea Bay

Our first full day was spent walking from the Brecon Mountain Railway to the Taf Fechan Reservoir which is about 5 1/2 miles of quite easy walking. The railway journey itself was also an enjoyable experience. We finished our visit with a quick trip to the Penderyn Distillery to sample some Welsh Whisky!

Other walks included the Gower Peninsula to visit the Pennaid Pill Castle and a lovely coastal walk back to the Mumbles. A very hard going walk up to Table Mountain to see the views from Pen Cerrig-calch. Much easier walks through forestry to see plenty of Welsh Waterfalls, including the Sgwd yr Eira Waterfall and Henrhyd Falls, the highest in South Wales.

So, all in all, a very enjoyable trip to Swansea!

 

Walks and Walking: Henrhyd Falls; Walking The Welsh Waterfalls, 10 Miles Hard Walking in the Brecon Beacons

Walks and Walking: Henrhyd Falls; Walking The Welsh Waterfalls, Henrhyd Falls, 10 Miles Hard Walking in the Brecon Beacons.

Our second drizzly morning so, as with yesterday, we strapped up with gaiters, sturdy walking boots and hooded windproof jackets but this time our our hats and snoods stayed on for a while. Today was an early start as we wanted to get back to our long lost family and spend some time together on our last day in Wales so we quickly jumped in the Vito Sport and made our way to Neath and in the village of Coelbren we found the Henrhyd Falls, the largest of the welsh waterfalls in South Wales.

However, we don’t get to visit the falls until the end of our walk so we leave the Vito Sport in the car park and move on up the road from which we parked.

Walking past the mobile phone mast we continued up the road to a stile which we crossed and then followed the pathway across the fields, bending slightly to the left before we reached the same road that we had originally walked up. Turning right, we headed up towards Pen-y-cae before finding another pathway leading us to a wide road that quickly narrows before reaching another pathway.

There is only one pathway so it’s a very easy navigation up to a road that forks just after the Outdoor Adventure Centre, we go left that has a sharp left down to so gates in front of us that then lead up to gates that let us enter the Craig-y-nos Country Park.Passing some friendly Welsh ponies and keeping to the sound of the water there was a good photo opportunity by the giant stepping stones.

Giant Stepping Stones near Craig-y-nos Country Park

Expecting a grand entrance, it is more of a side entrance to the park curving round to our left we join the main park area before reaching it’s main entrance by a small lake. We turn left outside of the entrance by the Craig-y-nos Castle, which looks like a good venue for weddings rather than one of huge historical importance. Crossing the road we needed to get up on the hill and rather confusingly there is a sign that points us in the right direction, yet says “No access to the hill”!

We continue down the road until we see the correct access and this is where we also find a myriad of pathways. So, the general idea was to walk up the hill to Cribarth, walk over the hill and then walk back down the hill on the same side we went up. I had to get the walking poles out for this climb as my legs were quite tired after 4 hard walks this week!

Walking up Cribarth, so many paths and options to choose from!

Confusing? Yes, but that’s the idea… to explore the hillside and it’s geology. We walked away from the peak of Cribarth to explore the shake holes below us.

Shake Holes on Cribarth

We zig-zagged up, down, over, across and back over until we reached the bottom in sight various sign posts. If you can see the church from the top of the hill then that’s the easiest navigation point down. The road is where we needed to get to so we followed one of the signs down through the Abercrave Wood through Abercrave Farm to reach the road turning right to find Abercrave Bridge. We have now entered the residential area of Abercaf and wlak between the school and the fire station turning left and keeping left again we follow the road to Llech Bridge to find a very clear signpost to Henrhyd Falls on our right.

Once on this track we simply followed the river up to the falls up and down through the beautiful woodland noticing various waterfalls along the way and stopping off for belated and very welcome cheese and pickle sandwiches!

Stopping off at Craig Llech near Henrhyd Falls

Shortly after our stop we reached a sign that takes us to our car park or invites us towards the Henrhyd Falls itself. A few steps up and down we are at the falls and they are very impressive. As the falls are very accessible I made a short 2 minute video walking in to, behind and out of the Henrhyd Falls so you can see what the Henrhyd Falls look like.

Henrhyd Falls

We then retraced our steps back to the car park signpost and walked steeply up to the Vito Sport and, my god, after 5 1/2 hours walking on top of a whole week of walking the Brecon Beacons, it was a sight for sore eyes!!

 

 

Walks and Walking – Walking The Welsh Waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons.

Walks and Walking: Walking The Welsh Waterfalls, 8 Miles Hard Walking in the Brecon Beacons.

It was a little drizzly this morning and cloudy compared to our last few days of clear blue skies. However, a little rain would top up the rivers making it a good day to walk the welsh waterfalls!

Anticipating the mud we strapped ourselves up in gaiters, sturdy walking boots and hooded windproof jacket but as soon as our hats and snoods were on, they were off again as it brighten up typical British weather! Revving up the Vito Sport as we made our way up to Neath and the beginning of the walk at Clun Gwyn Farm and Bunkhouse, 3 miles up from Ystradfellte.

From the car park we followed the clear signpost to Sgwd Clun-gwyn Waterfall, had a quick look, and then carried on up the track to cross a footbridge where we climbed a steep rocky path up and then turned right following the footpath back down the other side of the Afon Melte River to look at the waterfall from the other side.

Looking back down the river from the footbridge at Sgwd Clun-gwyn Waterfall

Next we followed the red way markers to the Sgwd yr Eira Waterfall. Although the zig-zag steps down were a little damp it was absolutely fine and safe to walk down the steep descent to the waterfall. I decided to video the approach to the waterfall and as it was just as easy to walk behind it and up the other side I also made a short video inside the waterfall.

After an exhilarating visit, the walk up the muddy and rocky ascent was completely exhausting but when we reached the top we both had very big smiles on our faces at what was a great experience with beautiful scenery. Keeping to the obvious pathway we headed through the forest encountering gorse, pine, bogs, welsh ponies, stream crossings, views of the wind farm, the Cilhepste-fach and Cilhepste-cerig ruins and then continuing to head south along the path until we came to Craig Dhinas (Dinas Rock Great Forest Geopark).

Crossing the bridge we followed the road down to The Angel Inn at Pontneddfechan where we were going to get half a local ale to eat with our sandwiches outside but, alas, there is a sign saying “No Muddy Boots” so we turned right by the ornate gates that head northwards alongside the Nedd River.

A few minutes walk on the right is a short pathway down to the river where we finally got our sarnies and a drink down us, sitting on the rocks in a little sun trap observing all of the different rocks and crystal clear water.

The view from our lunch time spot

We then continued to walk upwards following the signs and river marvelling at waterfall after waterfall… after waterfall after waterfall… after waterfall after waterfall!! We took our time for lots of photos to really breathe in and absorb the beautiful and unique scenery.

We reached the picnic area and car park by Pont Melin-fach turning right up the road to reach a distinct stile by the buildings of Glyn-mercher-uchaf where we met some very friendly sheep!

Very friendly sheep at the end of our Welsh Waterfalls Walk

Following the clear sign posts we crossed farmland until we reached sight of the road where we had parked and joined the road by the white chapel building and grave yard just by the very old fashioned petrol station.

A few minutes later, and after walking for 5 hours, we were back at the Vito Sport, chucked our muddy boots in the back and shot straight back down to The Angel Inn for a welcome pint of Rhymney’s. What a wonderful pub, such a shame we just missed out on some Welsh Cawl!