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Carneddau
Walking Guide and Walks
The Carneddau mountains are in the Snowdonia National Park and form the largest area of high ground over 910 metres (3000 feet) in Wales and England. The highest summit is Carnedd Llewelyn (1064 m.) which is linked to a further five summits over 910 metres. In addition to the high mountains there are several lakes including Llyn Cowlyd and Llyn Eigiau.
From a walker's perspective most routes approach from the Ogwen Valley in the west. Other less used and longer paths also approach the major summits from the east and north. A personal highlight is the steep ascent of Pen yr Ole Wen from Ogwen, which offers grandstand views of the Glyders including iconic Tryfan. Once height is gained, walking is superb as you enjoy the rugged mountain scenery. One word of warning. The Eastern Carneddau are relatively wild and remote and care is needed with navigation and appropriate equipment and maps essential.
List of walks
★ GPS file available ☩ Route profile
| Walk | Description | Grade | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3062★☩ | Pen yr Ole Wen | moderate | 5.00 |
| 3056★☩ | Pen yr Helgi Du from Ogwen Valley | moderate | 5.50 |
| 3051★☩ | Yr Elen from Gerlan | hard | 6.50 |
| 2608★ | Crimpiau & Creigiau Gleision from Llyn Crafnant | moderate | 7.50 |
| 2558★☩ | Carnedd Dafydd & Pen yr Ole Wen from Bethesda | mod/hard | 8.00 |
| 2542★ | Foel Grach & Llyn Eigiau | moderate | 8.50 |
| 2200★☩ | Eastern Carneddau | moderate | 8.50 |
| 3052★☩ | Yr Elen & Carnedd Dafydd from Gerlan | hard | 9.00 |
| 1635★ | Garnedd Uchaf & Llyn Eigiau | mod/hard | 9.00 |
| 3020★☩ | Aber Falls, Foel-fras & Drum | mod/hard | 9.00 |
| 2115★☩ | Yr Elen, Carnedd Llewellyn & Carnedd Dafydd | hard | 9.50 |
| 2902★☩ | Creigiau Gleision & Llyn Cowlyd from Capel Curig | moderate | 9.50 |
| 3047★☩ | The Carneddau from Llyn Eigiau | hard | 10.00 |
| 3061★☩ | Eastern Carneddau from near Rowen | mod/hard | 10.50 |
| 3021★☩ | Northern Carneddau | mod/hard | 12.00 |
| 2547★☩ | Carnedd Llewelyn from near Rowen | mod/hard | 12.00 |
| 2820★☩ | Carneddau traverse from Llyn Ogwen | mod/hard | 14.00 |
| 1232★☩ | Carnedd Llewelyn, Llyn Eigiau & Llyn Cowlyd | hard | 16.00 |
| 3002★ | Welsh Three-Thousanders from Pen-y-Pass | severe | 31.50 |
Table of summits in the Carneddau Group
| Rank | Mountain | Metres/Feet | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Carnedd Llewelyn | 1064 / 3491 | Snowdonia |
| 4 | Carnedd Dafydd | 1044 / 3425 | Snowdonia |
| 7 | Pen yr Ole Wen | 978 / 3209 | Snowdonia |
| 9 | Foel-grach | 976 / 3202 | Snowdonia |
| 11 | Yr Elen | 962 / 3156 | Snowdonia |
| 14 | Foel-fras | 942 / 3091 | Snowdonia |
| 48 | Pen yr Helgi-du | 833 / 2733 | Snowdonia |
| 66 | Pen Llithrig-y-wrach | 799 / 2621 | Snowdonia |
| 82 | Drum | 770 / 2526 | Snowdonia |
| 160 | Cregiau Gleision | 678 / 2224 | Snowdonia |
| 258 | Tal y Fan | 610 / 2001 | Snowdonia |
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