A stunning walk around the less frequented half of Snowdonia's Carneddau.
Walking Route - Northern Carneddau, Snowdonia
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Bont Newydd > Bera
Mawr > Foel Grach > Foel Fras > Bont
Newydd
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Average Time: 7 hours 20
minutes
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Distance:11.6 miles
(18.6km)
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Height Gain: 3212 ft
(979m)
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Cracking walking across the Cinderella hills of
Snowdonia. Anywhere else in the UK, they'd be the belle of
the ball.
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Maps: Landranger 115, Explorer OL24,
BMC Snowdonia.
Online: Streetmap
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Strenuousness: 3
Technicality: 1
Photo Grade: 3
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Start Point: SH
663 719
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The Northern Carneddau is one of Britain's forgotten lands when it
comes to hillwalking. The bleak landscape, much of it above 3000ft,
often suffers from being the tired final leg of a Welsh 3000ers
round, but if it were anywhere else in England or Wales this would be
as popular as The Glyders or High Street.
Stunning views over the Menai Strait to Anglesey greet you at Bera
Bach, while Garnedd Uchaf is the gateway to the much more popular
Carnedd Llewellyn and southern Carneddau.
Section 1: Bont Newydd to Bera Mawr
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Distance: 2.4 miles (3.9km)
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Height Gain: 2179 ft (664m)
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Average Time: 2 hours 40 mins
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Starting from the Forestry Commission car park at Bont
Newydd follow the wide track upstream alongside the Afon
Rhaedr Fawr towards the famous, and very popular, Aber Falls.
Beyond the visitor centre at Nant Rhaedr the path climbs steadily
through open moors to the base of the falls. A stile on the left
leads up beneath scree slopes before reaching the edge of the
plantation and a right turn to traverse the scree.
Now the path crosses a ravine before entering the upper Agon
Goch valley and a steep haul up to the north ridge of Bera Mawr.
Follow the North Ridge first on grass then boulders to near the
summit of Bera
Mawr, then scramble the final few feet to the top.
From here you can see across the Menai Straits to Anglesey, and on
a good day the Mountains of Mourne in Northern Ireland are just
visible on the horizon.
Section 2: Bera Mawr to Foel Fras
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Distance: 3.6 miles (5.7km)
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Height Gain: 1130 ft (344m)
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Average Time: 2 hour 20 mins
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From the summit descend through the rocks on the east side to a well
trodden path that climbs to the summit of
Yr Aryg.
A brief levelling is followed by the 150-metre haul up the flank
of Garnedd Uchaf, crossing the 3000ft contour just before the summit.
The path descends from the rocky ridge of Garnedd Uchaf to a small
bwlch before rising steeply again to the next of the 300fters,
Foel
Grach. From here the southern views are dominated by Carnedd
Llewellyn and Yr Elen off to the right.
The rocky summit of Foel Fras - Dave Field OM
album
From Foel Grach reverse the route back to the bwlch, but this time
head North East at the junction. As you approach Foel Fras the
ground becomes somewhat boggy and a wall appears directing you
northwards to first the stone shelter then the OS trig point which
marks the mountain's summit, another of the Welsh 3000ers.
Section 3: Foel Fras to Pont Newydd
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Distance: 5.6 miles (9km)
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Height Gain:156 ft (47m)
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Average Time: 2 hour 20 mins
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From Foel Fras the route lies predominantly downhill. The wall turns
into a fence as you drop down from the summit to a bwlch, then a
short and relatively gentle reascent to
Drum.
A stunning sunset from Drum with the sun setting behind
Anglesey. Dave Field again - OM
album
Beyond the stone shelter the path drops again, heading north and
following the fence on its left. Now descend to another bwlch and
drop down to the left to join a large track built to service the Llyn
Anafon reservoir.
Continue along this track to join another, equally broad and
obvious, track heading left. This track continues downhill and
eventually turns into a minor road that takes you back to Bont
Newydd and the starting point.
Note: Average time ratings are calculated for a notional
average walker and take height gain into account. You may be faster
or slower than the notional average, but they provide a starting
point.
