Blogs from Snowdonia, Gwynedd, Wales, United Kingdom, Europe

It's doubtful that a full Welsh Breakfast is the ideal preparation for a trek up a mountain. None-the-less with this inside us we set off out of Llanberis into the heart of Snowdonia National Park. The landscape looked hugely awe-inspiring. Boulders that had been deposited by the slow moving glaciers more than 12,000 years ago loomed above us, it felt as if we had entered another world, an inhospitable world lacking any life aside sheep. The road meandered around and shortly led us to Pen-y-pass, the starting point for a variety of routes to the Snowdon Summit. It seemed colder, windier and less inviting than previous days. Perhaps the novelty of it all had worn off. We set off up the broad and gently climbing track passing the Gwynant Valley on our left hand side. The ... read more

Meet my partner; packed with the kind of enthusiasm and endeavour that enables her to achieve the unachievable. Boasting the experience of a childhood trip to the Breacon Beacons she is in good shape to laugh off any physical challenge. Alongside her, my good self; determination oozing out of my eye balls. A swagger in my step having successfully scrambled up the Balham Hill with only two puffs of my inhaler. Together we were to embark on a three day expedition in Snowdonia National Park, entirely ill prepared and with an incredible lack of idea of what we were letting ourselves in for. After 268 miles of driving we knew we had entered Wales firstly because the road signs read like anagrams and second when we spotted a cow ambling across the bridge above us. Base ... read more

The busiest mountain in Britain! And the highest mountain in Wales. We went here on our 4th day in Wales, it was a very misty morning and got even mistier as we climbed up the slopes that we could hardly see anything of the countryside around. Snowdon is located in the Snowdon national park, it is really beautiful place to visit. The English name "Snowdon" comes from the Old English Snow Dun, meaning "snow hill" due to the significant falls of snow each winter from October to April. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowdon... read more

He turned left and rode towards the side of the valley where, above the low gentle green fields, the first dark slope of Cader Idris climbed like a wall roofed by the sky.” -The Grey King There is a legend that if you spend the night on top of Cader Idris, one of the highest mountains in Wales, you’ll wake up either a poet or mad. It’s also known for intense climbs, dramatic landscapes and spectacular 360 degree views. And if you’ve read the aforementioned book, you’ll know that it’s the stronghold of a powerful force of evil and darkness, called the Brenin Llwyd, or the Grey King. Though if you’re familiar with celtic mythology, from which the “Dark is Rising” books pulled a lot of their material, you might have heard of him as ... read more

Another rainy and cold day, this time riding on the Lake Llamberis railway, another former slate mine railway, which only runs a distance of about 2 miles along Lake Llamberis. The engines and carriages on this railway are tiny, with tall thin funnels. On the return journey, we stopped off at the Welsh National Slate Museum where we happily whiled away a couple of hours learning about the history of slate mining in Wales, and lifestyles of the miners. We had the chance to see a slate splitting demonstration, and marveled at the biggest waterwheel within the British Isles that is still in its original and working position. While we had lunch, Little Cocky met up with some local school kids who were as interested in him as he was in them. At one stage we ... read more

Caernarfon Castle is probably most known medieval monument in Wales. Works had starter short after Wales was conquered by English king Edward I. This castle - with couple of different ones: Conwy, Harlech and Beaumaris - had a specific assignment. It was flanking undefeated Welsh people in Snowdonia and take a control over the coast. This castle in typical example of medieval fortress and it was used as a model to several computer games. Despite of Caernarfon castle is a ruin inside were organised some interesting exhibitions (in contrast to Conwy castle). While we were visited there at the castle courtyard had been a mediaval knights tournament performance. It seems quite real and obviously most of the visitors assembled and crowded together to see an event. Nice and colorful performance. Caernarfon is bilingual and we haerd ... read more