Walking Britain Bala Walks and Walking Guide
Snowdonia, Gwynedd
Bala is located on the eastern edge of the Snowdonia National Park. The town has a wide range of local amenities including cafés, bars and restaurants. Accommodation including camp sites and caravan parks is readily available. Public transport is limited and most of the walks listed below require the use of private transport.
All walks are free to download and print all have GPS files. Bala occupies an excellent position to explore other parts of the National Park. The Arans, Arenigs and Berwyn Hills are relatively close by with many excellent walks to be enjoyed. Further afield highlights include the Precipice Walk near Dolgellau and the rugged Rhinog mountains. Closer to the town are a number of easier routes in the hills surrounding Lake Bala.
★ = GPS file available
| Walk | Description | Grade | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2059★ | Castell Carndochan near Bala | easy/mod | 2.50 |
| 1646★ | The Precipice Walk near Dolgellau | easy | 3.50 |
| 2054★ | Moel y Garnedd from Lake Bala | easy/mod | 4.00 |
| 3055★ | Glasgwm from Cwm Cywarch | moderate | 4.50 |
| 1151★ | Moel Siabod from Pont Cyfyng, near Capel Curig | hard | 5.50 |
| 2551★ | Rhobell Fawr from near Rhydymain | moderate | 5.70 |
| 2055★ | Moel Emoel from near Bala | moderate | 6.00 |
| 1332★ | Four lakes of the Gwydir Forest | easy/mod | 6.50 |
| 1037★ | Two lakes of the Gwydir Forest - Llyn Elsi and Llyn Parc | easy/mod | 6.50 |
| 1086★ | Post Gwyn and Craig-y-Mwn from Pistyll Rhaeadr | moderate | 6.50 |
| 3038★ | Arenig Fawr from Arenig near Llyn Celyn (Route A) | moderate | 7.00 |
| 1190★ | Aran Fawddwy from Cwm Cywarch | mod/hard | 7.50 |
| 2302★ | Arenig Fawr from Arenig near Llyn Celyn (Route B) | moderate | 8.00 |
| 1334★ | Cnicht from Tanygrisiau | moderate | 8.00 |
| 2544★ | Rhinog Fach circular | moderate | 8.00 |
| 2937★ | Aran Fawddwy northern approach | mod/hard | 8.40 |
| 3024★ | North West of Blaenau Ffestiniog from the Crimea Pass | mod/hard | 8.50 |
| 2811★ | Rhobell Fawr and Ddualt from near Rhydymain | moderate | 8.50 |
| 3102★ | Bwlch Sych and Tynygarreg from Lake Vyrnwy | moderate | 8.50 |
| 1036★ | Rhinog Fach & Y Llethr from Craigddu Isaf | moderate | 9.00 |
| 3031★ | Cadair Berwyn from Cwm Maen Gwynedd | moderate | 9.25 |
| 1256★ | Cadair Bronwen from Llandrillo | moderate | 9.50 |
| 3017★ | Aran Benllyn & Aran Fawddwy from Llanuwchllyn | mod/hard | 10.00 |
| 1107★ | Waun Oer and Maesglase | mod/hard | 11.00 |
| 1255★ | The Aran Ridge from Cwm Cywarch | hard | 11.20 |
| 1499★ | Rhobell Fawr and Dduallt from Llanfachreth | moderate | 12.00 |
| 1400★ | The Arans from Cwm Cywarch | hard | 14.00 |
| 2713★ | A traverse of the Northern Rhinogs | mod/hard | 14.00 |
| 3053★ | Berwyn Tops from Tan Y Pystyll | moderate | 14.00 |
| 3227★ | Rhinog Fawr and nearby tarns | mod/hard | 15.00 |
The walks listed above are the nearest 30 from Bala when measured in a straight line.
Recommended Reading
Mountain Walking in Snowdonia
Guidebook to 40 of Snowdonia's best day walks, with routes up Snowdon and Tryfan, including the Snowdon Horseshoe, Cadair Idris, Y Garn and The Rhinogs. The routes range from Grade 1 scrambles like Crib Goch or Bristly Ridge, to riverside and forest walks. Includes details of a 2-day traverse of all 15 of Snowdonia's 3000ft peaks.
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Snowdonia: 30 Low-level and easy walks - North
Guidebook describing 30 walks in Snowdonia, Wales. Routes are mostly low level and on clear paths and showcase the region's beautiful scenery and rich history and culture. Part of a 2-volume set, this northern volume includes the Snowdon area, the Ogwen and Conwy Valleys, Betws-y-Coed, Beddgelert, Ffestiniog and the coast.
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