Today I'm off on yet another adventure although slightly more modest than my usual. The destination is Snowdonia National Park which has Mount Snowdon - the highest mountain in Wales as well as the Snowdon Mountain Railway (I love cog railways. Blame my father).


I'm going with a local walking group and we assemble in Hammersmith for our minibus at 6pm tonight. There will be a 4-5 hour drive (blech) so we're getting in pretty late. We'll be staying at a traditional Welsh farmhouse and it looks like we have 17 women and 19 men.


So I'm all packed and have made sure to bring a deck of playing cards as well as a copy of Set and I must make sure that I pick up a bottle of whisky


I copy the following from the trip description:

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Snowdonia

The Snowdonia National Park, which has the evocative Welsh name of 'Eryri' meaning ' the place of the eagles', is an area of outstanding natural beauty covering 838 square miles and containing some of the most magnificent scenery in Wales.

Mount Snowdon, in Welsh, Yr Wyddfa, meaning 'the tumulus', dominates the landscape of North Wales, soaring to 3,560 feet (1,085m) and is the highest mountain in Wales or England. The Snowdon range consists of eleven peaks, three of which surpass 3,000 feet.

A climb to the summit, on a clear day is rewarded with enthralling views of England, Ireland and Scotland. The mountain has been exploited for its copper since as far back as the Bronze Age, extensive Copper Mines were excavated in Victorian times.

BETWS-Y-COED

The picture postcard village of Betws-y-Coed, pronounced betus a koyd, which translates as the 'chapel in the wood' lies in a magnificent fairyland setting surrounded by the dense coniferous slopes of the Gwydir Forest, where the rivers Conway and Llugwy meet.

Swallow Falls

Nearby is the spectacular Swallow Falls, the highest continuous waterfall in Wales. The picturesque Pont-y-Pair bridge, which spans the River Llugwy's swirling, rock strewn waters, was built in 1468.

Betws-y-Coed

The village was founded as a monastery in the the sixth century. Artists have flocked to the area since Victorian times. Betws-y-Coed is a popular inland resort, and offers a wide range of accomodation, possessing many inns, hotels, bed and breakfast establishments, cafes and tourist shops, selling a wealth of goods and souvenirs, and two museums. There are some excellent walks along the River Llugwy.

ACCOMODATION - our accomodation is located at a 18th century Welsh farmhouse in two rural bunk houses with ensuite rooms location on the edge of Snowdonia National Park.

ROOM ALLOCATION - View Room List

AGENDA

Day 1: Depart from London to Snowdonia on 04 MAY 2012

Day 2: A full day hike (800m) or a chosen activity on 05 MAY 2012.

Day 3: A full day hike (800m) or a chosen activity on 06 MAY 2012.

Day 4: A half day hike (500m) and depart for London on 07 MAY 2012

Hike Ability: Easy / Moderate / Difficult

Hike Distance/Climb: Day2 = 10-20Km/800m, Day3 = 12-24Km/000m, Day4 = 10-15Km/500m