Hoping you can point me in the right direction for some high mountain walking in Snowdonia with no, or very easy scrambling for me and my 14 year old son.
I have no real experience of this type of thing (have done a nav course), but love the area and need some route ideas.
To give you an idea of what we have done so far, last summer we walked up Cnicht from Croesor and found the last bit of scrambling to the top a little scary. We also did Snowdon via the Pyg and down the Miners tracks, which we found OK. We also tried the Devils Kitchen last October, but we turned back half way, as I was getting a little worried!
Basically, I am looking for walks that will not be scary or put either of us in any danger.
Moel Siabod - there's old mine ruins etc and a nice, very easy scramble that you can make as easy or hard as you want - or mostly just bypass even. Wicked views from the summit on a clear day, I think maybe the best in north Wales.
Snowdon from Llanberis. If you want to make a big day out of it do a horsehoe, starting at Moel Eilio, following the ridge over to Snowdon and then down alongside the railway to Llanberis. The first half of the walk is physically quite hard but the long descent and views down to Llanberis are great.
Get the Sherpa bus from Capel Curig up to Pen y Pass. Then go up over Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach, following the ridge back to Capel Curig.
Moel Siabod - the ridge up from Llyn y Foel is an easy scramble, but given your comments on Devil's Kitchen may not be your liking. However, you can have a good half day's walk by doing a circuit of Moel Siabod, starting at Plas y Brenin and returning via the SW ridge to A5 and walk back along the river. Works just as well the other way round.
I don't want to do high mountain walking at this time of year, for exactly those reasons. I don't want to put my son in any dangerous situations at all, so we enjoy the lower regions in the winter. We have enjoyed lower/easier walks for the past couple of years now, but find the challenge and sense of achievement of walking up the Welsh mountains too hard to resist. Having said that, I still worry every time we attempt something new, not knowing what we might encounter on the way. I don't like to turn back on a walk, but will if I have to, rather than get into trouble.
I plan to do a scrambling course at Plas y Brenin this year too in the hope it will boost my confidence.
There is loads to go at with the help of a map. The route up to Glyder Fach from Capel Curig involves zero scrambling and excellent views on a clear day.
You can get the obligatory photo on the Cantilever as well.
Probably best to walk back down the same way as you came up if your a bit nervy or want to stay high for as long as possible.
"do you live near N Wales, is there anyone you know who could help you get out?"
I live near Welshpool, so around an hour to Dolgellau and a bit more to Betws y Coed. I don't know anyone who I could walk with. If/when my son get bored with walking with his dad, then I will be a solo walker..
Next month, we have a meet in Capel Curig. If its wintry (snow and ice) probably everyone will want to get out and get up, and axes and crampons will be needed.
If you could aquire such devices (including winter boots), then this would probably be a good supported intro to winter walking. There may be people going there who will not be keen to get onto the tops anyway, you could post on that thread and find out: here
it may actually not be wintry, in which case it'd also be suitable.
I really rate the walk from Capel Curig heading north east towards Llyn Crafnant. If the weather's pants there's the option of walking down the pass to the lake, where there's a cafe at the other end. Alternatively, turn left before descending the pass and take an easy scramble up Crimpiau with great views across towards Snowdon. If you're feeling hungry for more, the route can be extended on to Craig Wen and Creigiau Gleision, which give equally magnificent views across to Tryfan and the Glyderau.
.....why not try some of the walks around Bala: Aran Fawddwy is a good walk,you can go up from Bwlch y Groes, which is closer to you....Also Arenig Fawr.Why not also have a look at the Berwyn: nice ridge walking.
Alternatively, the northern Carneddau: Tal y Fan, Drum etc. The walk up to Llyn Crafnant mentioned above is a classic wet weather walk.
I really rate John Gillham's "Pictorial Guide to the Mountains of Snowdonia" if you're looking for a good guide: it's in four parts and explores some of the less well-known walks and areas.
Good luck: there's certainly lots to explore, even off the "exposed and scary" parts of Snowdonia....
Mynyndd Mawr is a great short walk. Although it's not very high its position makes it a good viewpoint. You can see some of my trip photos at http://www.ian-barton.com/mountaineering/mynydd_mawr.html
No technical difficulties and some old mine shafts to look into.
The Berwyns and Arans also offer a selection of walks with no technical difficulties. Have a look at http://v-g.me.uk/ for some good photos. You can adapt Geoff's multi day routes into day walks.
A lot of good suggestions so far. I'm quite used to searching out Snowdonia routes without much scrambling or exposure because my partner has a problem with heights, although we're gradually pushing what she can tackle. Here are a few more suggestions.
Southern Carneddau - you can make a circuit of Pen Yr Helgi Du and Pen Lithrig Yr Wrach, starting from the parking at Gwern Gof Isaf campsite. Go up the reservoir road as far as the leat and then use that to access the south ridge of Helgi Du - very strightforward and avoids the slightly exposed approach up the W ridge. On over to Lithrig and descend S to the head of Llyn Cowlyd, then use the leat again to get home.
Or take the reservoir road the whole way and the track up to the col (minor exposure, no worse than Pyg track). There's a short scrambly step to head up to Carnedd Llewelyn but if you tackle that then is a great high level walk all the way around to Carnedd Dafydd and Pen yr Ole Wen, and just a couple of little rocky steps in a short gully on the way down its E ridge.
You can get up Y Garn from the Llanberis Pass without difficulty using the path up Cwm Cneifio (park in Nant Peris). I've carried on N and descended the Afon Dudodyn ok, never tried the Afon Gafr path. Or the same initial approach will get you up Glyder Fawr as long as you're prepared to tackle the pretty eroded path up the higher stages. Or Glyder Fach is problem free from the south starting near the Pen y Gwryd hotel.
Oh, and Moel Hebog is a cracker from Beddgelert with a bit of rough stuff but nothing very tricky or exposed near the top, and some great geology (spot the 'canonball rocks'). Complete a circuit by heading north over Moel yr Ogof and Moel Lefn.
One further benefit (imo) of any of these routes is that you'll find them a lot less crowded than the more usual ways up these hills
Edit: Final suggestion, Cadair Idris from the south, from Minfordd. Head into Cwm Cau, then up onto the ridge. Follow it right around and across as far as Mynydd Moel, and then there's a path descending south to link with your outward route just above the woods.
Moel Siabod for me too, I think it encompasses all the bits you want on a good mountain day out. The walk might not be the longest distance wise, but this time of year that's not a bad thing, especially with a youngster in tow.
Cadair Idris is also a good shout, although I ould suggest there is no real easy way up it, Moel Siabod has some must stop spots that break the ascent up nicely.
