Snowdonia
WINTER MOUNTAIN WALK
1 SH607581 Leave the Nant Peris car park and turn left along road, passing the Vaynol Arms pub and Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team Base. Cross road and take a lane running north-east (old signpost to Ty Isaf farm), alongside an old chapel. Follow lane uphill towards ‘Fron’ farm, but turn uphill into a field, with Right of Way sign, at SH607589. A rough path continues uphill, curving round the shoulder towards Afon Dudodyn. In November 2017, flooding caused much damage to the banks of this river and washed away a well-used bridge.
2 SH609595 The riverside path crosses a stile here, then heads in an easterly direction uphill towards the steep-looking nose of Esgair y Ceunant. It’s not as steep as it looks once you get higher! The angle quickly eases again to a pleasant, undulating spur, walking alongside a fence. As you start to gain height again, cross a boundary where you now have open slopes to ascend up to the skyline. Pick an east-north-east direction, heading for the lowest point on the ridgeline above. At 750m there is a track that crosses at a stile –head for this access point, even if paths are covered in snow.
3 SH626603 From here to the summit of Y Garn is where you’ll be on the lookout most for spectacular views either side. In poor visibility keep note of the changes in angles of slope as you ascend to the summit. Also, in certain weather and snow conditions, large cornices build up on Y Garn’s north-east edges so keep well back from these on ascent. After a steady pull uphill, there is a flattening at
SH630597 /920m. A route from Ogwen Cottage emerges here (sometimes through a cornice in deep snow). It is now a short rise again to the summit cairn.
4 SH630595 Enjoy the great views here over Llyn Ogwen and to the massif of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) from the summit.
Check a south-west direction from the summit to bring you down a shoulder of Y Garn not usually walked. You will encounter some boulders, all the while heading in this direction until a fence line is reached at 770m. There are impressive views into the high cwms above Llanberis Pass on the other side of the valley.
5 SH626589 Cross the fence carefully and keep descending south-west on now slightly easier angled slopes to an obvious knoll feature ahead of you (top of Dinas). This descent leg is broken down in this way to assist navigation in poor visibility. On a clear day, you will see this large knoll from above 850m.
6 SH619585 Having lost a good amount of height, you’re now on grassier slopes (possibly still snow covered) and heading downhill in a north-west direction. The wintry summit of Y Garn may feel like a world away now as you
encroach upon the steeper slopes into Nant Peris again. Head for a meeting of stone walls and way through to descend to the west.
7 SH615590 Apart from the short ascent to Esgair y Ceunant, you’re now descending the steepest slopes of the day. Take care on wet, possibly snow covered, grass. Descending into walled fields, a faint path will speed you quickly down the hill towards Cae Gwyn Farm, with some stile and broken wall crossings en route. March easily down the farm’s access track (also camping field) and you’ll pop out onto the main road in Nant Peris. Cross the road carefully. The Vaynol Arms awaits!