Suggested walks inc visit to Portmeirion; Circular Snowdon Horseshoe (based on miners path to summit) swc walk102 book 3 (link below)
Maps: Landranger 124 Porthmadog & Dolgellau; LR 115 Snowdon Explorer OL 17
Friday 1st May until Tuesday 5th May (I go Thurs 30th April, return Wednesday 6th)
Stay long or short! It's a full day's journey from London, another full day's return journey.
Rail: Euston to Porthmadog inc later/earlier stations of Llandecwyn, Criccieth and Minfford.
Dept 1043 arr 1638 etc. Return fare varies. (change at Birmingham, both ways)..
Coach/bus from Victoria Coach station 1026 daily arriving Porthmadog 2028 involves 2 changes at Wrexham and Dolgellau www.nationalexpress.com
Car?:It's a long drive but handier for local travel.
Campsites
Barcdy campsite at Bwch near Llandecwyn rail station (0.6m) next railstop to Porthmadog (3.6m) £50 for 6 nights from Thurs 30th April (I'm booked through pitchup.com ).
Eisteddfa campsite 3.1m west of Porthmadog from £15.50 per night. Close to the sea.
Lechrywd campsite by riverside 4.3m east of Porthmadog £64 for 4 nights.
Most have showers and other basic facilities and require a deposit, balance on arrival.
I have a spare 3-person dome tent I'd be happy to lend. More campsites in the area can be found through other websites and publications.
Hotels - just a few I've noticed or try www.rarebits.co.uk
Gwesty Portmeirion Hotel (££££) hotel@portmeirion-wales.com
Beddgelert: Sygun Fawr (££) Pen-Gwryd, Llanberis Pass (£)
Hostels/Dorms include Snowdon Inn-y Fricsan, Cyymy-glo dorm £60 for 4 nights
Pen-y-Pass Hostel, Llanberis Pass. The Heights Bunkhouse Llanberis dorm £68 for 4 nights. or try www.yha.org.uk
Guesthouses: Try www.wales.little-places.co.uk
The area is near Tremadog Bay on the Welsh coast. Stunning views of the mountains of Snowdonia, the sea, and the famous village of Portmeirion designed by Clough Williams - Ellis (1883-1978) in the Italian style and modelled on Portofino as featured in the iconic 1960s television series 'The Prisoner'; an attraction in its own right with its own hotel..
There are low level areas and forests to walk, reservoirs and of course the sea! Miles of sandy beaches. Main towns/villages nearby include Porthmadog, Criccieth, Harlech and Penrhyndeudraeth.
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The Welsh Highland Heritage railway operates from Caernarfon in the north lnto the heart of Snowdonia to Porthmadog.(via the start of one Snowdon route - the Watkin Path, at Beddgelert).
The Ffestiniog Railway goes from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog. .
The Snowdon Mountain Railway goes from Llanberis a few miles further north to the summit! Some walkers follow the track to the top and lunch at the summit's cafe.
Local buses: info available from www.traveline-cymru.org.uk www.arriva.co.uk
Walks: to be probably selected from the following:
1. Talsarnau and Tecwyn Lakes circular 5m/8km 3 hrs Ascent rating 2 (out of 3) 800ft/244m
from 'AA 100 Walks in Wales & The Marches #43' Starting at Llandecwyn Station so we can lunch at Talsarnau at the Ship Aground PH.
2. Nantmor/Beddgelert circular combining 'AA 100 walks in Wales & The Marches' #35 & #36 both Ascent rated 2 Distance/time to be assessed later. 10m approx. Allow 5 hrs.
Lunch at Beddgelert probably.
3. Snowdon Horseshoe. Usual route starts at the Hostel carpark along the Llanberis Pass by the A4086 and follows either the Miners Track or the Pyg Track which takes the higher path. Or go straight up to Crib Goch (920m) and after that peak pass a second (Crib-y-ddysgal at 1065m) before summiting at 1085m. the paths having met up again.
Descent is back the same way or complete the 'horseshoe' by descending via Lliwedd to the south, with views of the lakes (Llyns) and the other paths visible all the way to either rejoin those paths by the Llyn or diverting south to Beddgelert. SWC.102 book3 can be downloaded and printed out., Alternatively ascend via Watkin Path from the south.
Low level options;
4. Walk to and around Portmeirion village,the gardens the caves, the beach,
5. The area south towards Harlech along the coast ('south bank') is The Morfa Harlech National Nature Reserve and looks to be a good 12km semi-circular walk from Llandecwyn rail station mostly along dunes. to Harlech. After (late?) lunch in Harlech there's the choice of a straight line walk back along footpaths following the A496 back or catching a train (or bus). Hopefully a good birdwatching option!
My mobile 07821 373578 Email magyardave2002atyahoodotcodotuk.
