Mimicking a similar trip to Wales during late summer last year, Angie and I hired a car and drove out of London and into Wales. North-west we went, all the way up to Snowdonia National Park. What followed was a long weekend hiking and exploring the coastline in the beautiful sunshine. 4 days was not enough and I will definitely need to get back here again.
Day 1
The first day we gathered our hiking gear and drove the narrow misty roads from the coast where we were staying in a cute little beachfront hotel in Criccieth, back into the heart of the National Part to hike the famed Mt Snowdon. At 1,085m tall its not exactly a challenge but it is counted as the tallest mountain in Wales and is a fun day out nonetheless.
The day started out misty and overcast which didn’t change, contrary to the forecast. We parked near Pen-y-Pass, starting the hike a bit before 9am, making our way up the beginning of the Pyg Track until it met the ridgeline up to Crib Goch. We debated taking the Crib Goch ridgeline or not as it quickly ascended into fog and the weather had settled in misty and slightly wet. We decided to brave it, not knowing that once you committed its actually very difficult to turn around. Up we went, slowly finding our own way up the mountainside, me helping Angie slowly navigate the slippery rocks as it turned into an interesting climb rather than a hike. We made it to the top of the ridgeline only to realise we then had to navigate the length of Crib Goch knife edge for the next couple of hours. This was very slow going and draining given the amount of concentration required to keep safe along the extremely narrow track, steep drops hundreds of feet on either side. I kept Angie fed and watered and she continued on like an absolute boss. After a couple of hours we weren’t sure how much of the ridgeline was left so when we saw a way down to join back to the Pyg Track, we eagerly took it even though it took us significantly down when we needed to continue to climb. Once we joined back up to the Pyg Track, the speed increased as we sped up the well established switchbacks on the back slope of Snowdon to reach the Bwich Glas saddle. From there it was less than half an hour further and we reached Snowdon Summit. The weather hadn’t improved and there was absolutely nothing to see from the summit and with a strong wind blowing it was less than 10°C. We had some lunch and a short rest before we reversed our course back down the mountain. We didn’t even dare think about Crib Goch again, but instead made out way down to the miners track and looped it back around to the carpark. It was a good day hiking, and we quickly made out way back to the hotel for a shower and chill out time. An Afternoon exploring the town, marvelling at the pretty coloured beachfront houses and eating some much deserved fish and chips and then ice cream.
Day 2
Day 2 saw us pack up the car and head around the coast to Abersoch where we parked and explored the quant seaside town and a walk along the inlet, out to the beach. The sun was making an effort to show itself but we weren’t quite warm enough for a swim so back in the car we got and on to Porth Iago. Porth Iago is a tiny little cove hidden away down a private road. We paid entry and pulled into a large grass camping area that was near enough empty. The sun was out proper now and it was time for some bare feet and board shorts as we went for a walk along the grassy coastline marvelling at the beautiful hidden coves and sandy beaches. Finally we spent the afternoon exploring Caernarfon Castle in Caernarfon. The castle is a medieval fortress in north-west Wales dating back to the 13th century (and the previous motte-and-bailey castle dates to the 11th century). After a walk around the town and finding some Welsh cakes to eat, we then made our way to Llandudno where we spent the next two nights.
Day 3 & 4
Another hike, this one a couple of hours stroll through the grassy hills along the coastline. Sunshine, green grass and beautiful ponies. A picnic and an afternoon nap in a nearby field on the way home set the day off well before we went back to Llandudno and a walk along the pier and coastline. Day 4 we packed up and headed back towards London with a stop-off in Birmingham for lunch. This city was sunny and beautiful and definitely deserves a return trip for a proper exploration.
