Walking and Climbing

Hi,

I'm hoping to tackle Yr Aran from Beddgelert as part of a 3 day walk around this area.

I don't fancy heading all the way up to Bethania and the Watkin path to do this, and I've seen mention on the web of more direct routes from Beddgelert. However, I haven't found a detailed description of a decent / hassle free route. I'd rather not fight my way through rocks and heather if there's an easier alternative!

Just wondered if anyone here has done this route and could offer any tips?

Cheers

Richard 

I've come down it a few years ago. From Beddgelert there's a path marked on the map (not a right of way) to the farm at Perthi. Cross the right of way and head NW to hit the wall that runs towards the summit. There was certainly no heather, but I recall a bit of gorse dodging round Perthi!

However, it is also quite a pleasant walk to Bethania along the minor road to Sygun, then along the shore of Llyn Dinas.

I've been up that way a few times, it used to be a bit of a bugger because of the farmers access issues. Was there last year and that looks to have changed though.

The route up from the A498 just East of Beddgelert is mainly craggy damp and vegetated... loads of goats though.

If you head west out of the village on the A4085, there is an easy track up which leads to grassy slopes. The last wall shown on the map is in a bad state of repair and is easily crossable to open mountain countryside.

Hope that helps!

Thanks everyone!

Kate I read Geoff's report, and that's what made it sound less than straightforward!

It seems to be a case of finding the best route around Perthi, which might not techincally be access land or a right of way... Mike's provided a few pointers though.

Rocky, is this the start of the track you mentioned? map This would also take me to the Perthi area.

Earlier this year we ascended from Bethania and then took the SW ridge down towards Beddgelert. There was no path most of the way down and we ended up on the wrong side of a series of walls, causing us to climb over 3 of them (sorry farmer!).

Once down at Perthi, we saw a footpath sign some way above the track past the farm. Not at all obvious even in ascent, but if you keep your eyes peeled and get on to that path, then you may avoid the difficulties we had in descent.

Richard, it was the track going through Wernlas Deg, then onto the ROW to the SW of Craig Wen. However, ignore my advice.

This was the route we had trouble with the farmers and I assumed since the CROW act that it was OK to use it. However I just googled it and the farm has been made exempt from CROW, so if you encounter anyone, expect a hostile reception. Sorry for the mis-info.

However...

Snowdon Sherpa buses are currently a quid a journey. It's only 5 mins to Rhyd-Ddu and the path up from there is excellent. The route up Aran from that side is (IMO) better as well as it goes up the craggy North face / ridge. There is also a pub in Rhyd-Ddu if you need to wait for the bus back.

Well, thanks everybody... sounds like it'll be a case of getting to Perthi and trying to spot the best route from there. Wouldn't be the first time I've tried to hunt down a non-existent path or been trapped in a farmyard, anyway..!

The pub in Rhyd Ddu is likely to be my final destination - getting the bus is cheating, and besides I wouldn't want to get there before opening time!

If I was doing it again I would go for the spot indicated by the magenta arrow in this picture, the public footpath is on Access Land  and is not barred off by any walls or fences.

The green arrow spot for access via Dinas may well be awkward, there are certainly walls and fences there but I can't remember if they are easily surmountable.

 The red spot is the offending post that looks exactly like a waymark post from the footpath but says NO ACCESS!. 

 Definitely avoid Wernlas-deg, the Snowdon rangers specifically cite that track as one you should NOT use to gain the hill from here.

Thanks Geoff, that's good info.

Will see how I get on!

Richard

Richard. I know that this information is  now too late for you, however I came down the Craig Wen route yesterday to Geoff C's magenta arrow, and down the same route via Dinas hill fort ( green arrow ) 4 years ago.

 The disadvantage of the Dinas toute is that you can get wedged between the wall and the gorse, with an awkward 4' rock step thrown in (592.487). The advantage is that it leads you in to pleasant woods with an easy escape into the car park at the rear of The Saracens Head near the centre of Beddgelert.

 Apart from one wall hop the walking is easy on the magenta route but the disadvantage of the Magenta route is that the Perthi access track drops you half a mile out of Beddgelert on the Caernarfon road which has no footpath.

Overall I'd choose Dinas every time.

Martin

Having been out a few weeks ago to do a 'bad weather geology walk' in the area, I'm now aware of an alternative possibility. It is reasonably clear on the OS 1:25k map but not shown on the 1:50k (which is all I have in front of me now)...

There is access via Craflwyn Hall. This can be reached from Beddgelert on the back road to Sygun Copper mine and then just a very short stretch of the A498. A permissive path sees you through the Hall grounds and up the valley to the old mine workings in Cwm y Bleiddiaid.

From here one route will take you on E and N to link to the Watkin Path near the old tramway, or you could access Point 524 on the end of Yr Aran's east ridge directly if you preferred. Also from a point below the mines you can forge a route by the stream NW up Cwn yr Hyrddod to reach the col between Craig Wen and Yr Aran.

These options allow you to complete a circuit over Yr Aran, and while not quite directly out of Beddgelert, it's an alternative to heading for Bethania and avoids any access difficulties.