Full Length Traverse of the Carneddau

Escape the crowds and venture into one of the more remote parts of Snowdonia with our experienced mountain guides...

The Carneddau mountain range is the largest of the three main Snowdonia ranges and contains seven of the highest fourteen peaks in Wales. The highest summits here are Carnedd Llywelyn (2nd highest after Snowdon) and Carnedd Dafydd.

Owing in part to the steep sides of 'Pen yr Ole Wen' guarding the entrance to the Carneddau, the fact that is notoriously difficult to navigate hereabouts, and escape routes being few and far between, it is not uncommon to have the summits to yourself.

The Route

Making an early start in Capel Curig, we give our legs time to warm up by following the reservoir road up to Ffynon Llugwy. At 550m above sea level and offering stunning views back towards Tryfan and the Glyderau, the appeal of this route quickly becomes apparent.

After a short break, we make our way up steep sided switch-back single-track, eventually breaking out onto Bwlch Eryl Farchog at 800m and getting our first glimpses down Cwm Eigiau and towards the Conwy Valley. With the summit of Carnedd Llywelyn now in full view, we make our way up to the 2nd highest point in all of Wales and England.

The summit of Carnedd Llywelyn offers far reaching views in all directions and weather permitting, we stop here for lunch.

Having now completed most of the uphill, the remainder of the walk, although covering considerable distance, is reasonably easy in comparison. From hear we take in a number of smaller summits, before eventually making our way down towards the town of Conwy.