Walking Britain Snowdonia Walk
Pen yr Helgi Du from the Ogwen Valley
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL17 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL17 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 115 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 115 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
Walk Route Description
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This is an ideal route for a half day excursion into the hills. The Carneddau are wild and desolate lying to the north of the A5 between Bethesda and Capel Curig. Limited parking is available at the entrance to the reservoir access road (Grid ref. SH687602) or if this is full then across the road Gwern Gof Isaf farm where a small charge is payable.
Walk up the reservoir access road climbing steadily for about 1.5 miles gaining nearly a thousand feet in the process. The road levels and drops down to Ffynnon Llugwy Reservoir, the shores of which make an ideal place to rest. Retrace you steps a short way to pick up the path that heads north along the eastern side of the reservoir. This path starts to climb up to the obvious col ahead. Zigzags at an easy gradient lead to the Col with the crags of Craig yr Isfa plunging into Cwm Eigiau far below.
At the Col turn right along a clear path. This climbs steeply through crags (with some scrambling) to lead you to the summit of Pen yr Helgi Du. The views are excellent in all directions with Carnedd Llewelyn, the highest point in the Carneddau, to the west.
Descend almost due south off the summit to follow a clear path that descends gently over a broad grassy ridge to reach a drainage channel (Grid ref. 700 607). Turn right along this channel to reach the outward route. Turn left and descend back to the start.
Other walks nearby
Walk 1232 Carnedd Llewelyn, Llyn Eigiau & Llyn Cowlyd - hard - 16.0 miles/26 km
Walk 2855 Gallt yr Ogof & Braich y Ddeugwm - moderate - 4.0 miles/6.5 km
Walk 1150 The High Carneddau from the Ogwen Valley - hard - 10.0 miles/16.3 km
Walk 1215 Tryfan & Llyn Ogwen from the Ogwen Valley - mod/hard - 5.5 miles/8.9 km
Walk 3001 Tryfan by the North Ridge from Ogwen Valley - hard - 3.5 miles/5.7 km
Walk 3026 Tryfan & the Eastern Tops from the Ogwen Valley - hard - 5.8 miles/9.3 km
Walk 2820 Carneddau traverse from Llyn Ogwen to Bont Newydd - mod/hard - 14.0 miles/22.8 km
Walk 2650 Tryfan, the Glyderau and Y Garn - very hard - 8.0 miles/13 km
Walk 3402 Moel Siabod circuit from Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig - moderate - 6.5 miles/10.6 km
Walk 1088 The Traverse of the Glyder Ridge from Ogwen - hard - 5.5 miles/8.9 km
Recommended Books & eBooks
Snowdonia: 30 Low-level and easy walks - South
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 southern volume includes Trawsfynydd, Bala, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, the Harlech Coast and the valleys of the Mawddach and Dyfi.
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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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Map and Compass
An instructive guidebook explaining map and compass techniques, to help readers enhance their outdoor experiences. Whether you are experienced in map-reading, or have never used a compass before, this guidebook will sharpen your skills and have you exploring new areas in no time. There are also tips for GPS and digital mapping technologies.
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