snowdonia car & walk

"Gooshi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

A walker's newsgroup and I mention car! Ah well here goes........

Off to N Wales for a week (Porthmadog) with my son of 9yrs. I would
like to spend a few days showing him Snowdonia but he is not able to
walk that far - simply because he is 9 and not used to long walks but
can manage a couple of miles. So I'm looking for recommendations ie
drive somewhere and walk for an hour or so (or more depends on weather
etc) then move to somewhere else and repeat and, if possible, find
somewhere to eat, pub or cafe. Then move on...can anyone help?

Also any other places worth visiting in the area?

Park at Ogwen Cottage in the Ogwen Valley and walk up to the Idwal Slabs. If
your son is still ok walk up to the Devil's Kitchen, otherwise walk round
Llyn Idwal and back down to the cottage. Parking at the cottage. Path up to
the Slabs is good, bit more difficult up to the Kitchen and ok back round
via the Llyn.

Then to Pen y Pass (parking probably difficult). Walk to round on Miner's
Track (easy) as far as you want.

Loads of places to eat in Llanberis. Some good (Pete's Eats), some not so
good.

If an offish day try the trip round the pump storage at Dinorwic. Very good
but then I had a friend who was an engineer on the project so used to get
trips into the place when they were constructing but still good
nevertheless.

Mike Mason

"Gooshi" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Off to N Wales for a week (Porthmadog) with my son of 9yrs. I would
like to spend a few days showing him Snowdonia but he is not able to
walk that far - simply because he is 9 and not used to long walks but
can manage a couple of miles. So I'm looking for recommendations ie
drive somewhere and walk for an hour or so (or more depends on weather
etc) then move to somewhere else and repeat and, if possible, find
somewhere to eat, pub or cafe. Then move on...can anyone help?

You can do short walks to get an appreciation of the hills of the area
without actually climbing up them. Eg. starting from Ogwen on the A5 the
walk up to Llyn Idwal in very impressive surroundings or from Pen-y-Pass
it's not too strenuous up the Miners track to Llyn Llydaw and Glaslyn with
equally impressive cliff scenery.

(Gooshi) said:

A walker's newsgroup and I mention car! Ah well here goes........

Off to N Wales for a week (Porthmadog) with my son of 9yrs. I would
like to spend a few days showing him Snowdonia but he is not able to
walk that far - simply because he is 9 and not used to long walks but
can manage a couple of miles. So I'm looking for recommendations ie
drive somewhere and walk for an hour or so (or more depends on weather
etc) then move to somewhere else and repeat and, if possible, find
somewhere to eat, pub or cafe. Then move on...can anyone help?

Also any other places worth visiting in the area?

Aber Falls. A nice easy walk with a dramatic conclusion. The only
problem is that you have to* walk back the same way.

*OK you don't "have to" but the circular version is quite long.

A child of that age might like a walk from the head of the minor road from
Eisingrug grid ref 629 342 to Llyn Du grid ref 657 340. The final section
always reminded my children when they were that age of Indiana Jones.

Gerald

"C L Imber" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

(Gooshi) said:

A walker's newsgroup and I mention car! Ah well here goes........

Off to N Wales for a week (Porthmadog) with my son of 9yrs. I would
like to spend a few days showing him Snowdonia but he is not able to
walk that far - simply because he is 9 and not used to long walks but
can manage a couple of miles. So I'm looking for recommendations ie
drive somewhere and walk for an hour or so (or more depends on weather
etc) then move to somewhere else and repeat and, if possible, find
somewhere to eat, pub or cafe. Then move on...can anyone help?

Also any other places worth visiting in the area?

Aber Falls. A nice easy walk with a dramatic conclusion. The only
problem is that you have to* walk back the same way.

*OK you don't "have to" but the circular version is quite long.

Gooshi said:

A walker's newsgroup and I mention car! Ah well here goes........

Off to N Wales for a week (Porthmadog) with my son of 9yrs. I would
like to spend a few days showing him Snowdonia but he is not able to
walk that far - simply because he is 9 and not used to long walks but
can manage a couple of miles. So I'm looking for recommendations ie
drive somewhere and walk for an hour or so (or more depends on weather
etc) then move to somewhere else and repeat and, if possible, find
somewhere to eat, pub or cafe. Then move on...can anyone help?

Also any other places worth visiting in the area?

Park at Pen-y-pass and walk up Snowdon. The Miners track is paved, easy
going and you get to see some nice lakes and stunning scenery. IF he's 9
then you probably won't want to be going all the way up but you can tempt
him with the sight of the hills to make him want to come back.

You may want to walk up the Pyg track to Glaslyn and then back down the
Miners track. That's a fair bit longer, but the hard stuff comes first and
the easy path underfoot on the Miners is fine for tired legs to walk on.

You could also take him up on the railway and let him see the summit that
way. Advisable to book in advance. If railways do light his boat, then go
south to the Talynn railway near Barmouth where there are a couple of the
engines from the railways books.

Aber falls - a walk in but flat and quite spectacular to see, espcially
after heavy rain.

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=265500&y=361500&z=3&sv=265500,361500&st=4&ar=N&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=591

Park on the A5 near Tryfan and walk up to to Ffynnon Lloer. Permissive
path, "proper" walking surface by a stream. Return to the bottom then walk
round the north side of Llyn Ogwen to the Cafe, back along the road to the
car admiring Tryfan and the Glyders. If tired, walk along road to cafe and
then back instead.

You will of course be taking him to see the steam railway at Porthmadog (and
maybe for a ride) ?

--
Settle - Carlisle Railway Yahoogroup;
For News, Views and Queries, Try;
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/settle_carlisle/
"Gooshi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

A walker's newsgroup and I mention car! Ah well here goes........

Off to N Wales for a week (Porthmadog) with my son of 9yrs. I would
like to spend a few days showing him Snowdonia but he is not able to
walk that far - simply because he is 9 and not used to long walks but
can manage a couple of miles. So I'm looking for recommendations ie
drive somewhere and walk for an hour or so (or more depends on weather
etc) then move to somewhere else and repeat and, if possible, find
somewhere to eat, pub or cafe. Then move on...can anyone help?

Also any other places worth visiting in the area?

Gooshi said:

Off to N Wales for a week (Porthmadog) with my son of 9yrs.

Quoted message said:

Also any other places worth visiting in the area?

Aberglaslyn Pass is a nice low level walk, from Aberglaslyn to
Beddgelert.

Also there's a pleasant stroll to be had around Llyn Dinas a little
further up the valley.

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk
http://www.wildwales.fsnet.co.uk

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

Park at Pen-y-pass and walk up Snowdon. The Miners track is paved, easy
going and you get to see some nice lakes and stunning scenery. IF he's 9
then you probably won't want to be going all the way up

Why ever not? Miners or PYG up; Llanberis path back down and eat
at Pete's Eats. Just right for a 9 yr old. The train - does it
run at this time of year? And it's damned expensive.
--
I try to be a good example to my children, but they just see me
as a dire warning.

Fran said:

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

Park at Pen-y-pass and walk up Snowdon. The Miners track is paved, easy
going and you get to see some nice lakes and stunning scenery. IF he's 9
then you probably won't want to be going all the way up

Why ever not? Miners or PYG up; Llanberis path back down and eat
at Pete's Eats. Just right for a 9 yr old. The train - does it
run at this time of year? And it's damned expensive.

Well the OP did say 2 miles... and I'm not sure if they had those new
fangled Tikka thingys you lot took on your trip...:-)

I agree the train is pricey though.

"Paul Saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote in news:ckhh1n$th0$1
@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk:

Quoted message said:

Aberglaslyn Pass is a nice low level walk, from Aberglaslyn to
Beddgelert.

Also there's a pleasant stroll to be had around Llyn Dinas a little
further up the valley.

Before the Welsh Highland Railway closed the long tunnel in the pass there
was an excellent walk from Beddgelert through the pass, through the tunnel,
then up over Cwm Bychan to Llyn Dinas and back to Beddgelert. Does anyone
know if there's a path round to the foot of Cwm Bychan that avoids the
tunnel, or is it a tarmac plod now?

On the question of distance for a 9 year old - don't underestimate what they
can do if they want to. My son came up Snowdon with me at age 10 via Crib
Goch - in October. His first serious walk, and his choice! Must have liked
it as he's at Bangor University now!

Have a good time whatever you choose to do.

Stuart

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

Fran said:

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

Park at Pen-y-pass and walk up Snowdon. The Miners track is paved, easy
going and you get to see some nice lakes and stunning scenery. IF he's 9
then you probably won't want to be going all the way up

Why ever not? Miners or PYG up; Llanberis path back down and eat
at Pete's Eats. Just right for a 9 yr old. The train - does it
run at this time of year? And it's damned expensive.

Well the OP did say 2 miles... and I'm not sure if they had those new
fangled Tikka thingys you lot took on your trip...:-)

It doesn't *have* to be done in the dark... ;-)
--
I try to be a good example to my children, but they just see me
as a dire warning.

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

Before the Welsh Highland Railway closed the long tunnel in the pass there
was an excellent walk from Beddgelert through the pass, through the tunnel,
then up over Cwm Bychan to Llyn Dinas and back to Beddgelert. Does anyone
know if there's a path round to the foot of Cwm Bychan that avoids the
tunnel, or is it a tarmac plod now?

Is that the tunnel that was closed above the path we were on
between Aberglaslyn and Beddgerlert? If so, the walk below it is
lovely, complete with the most delicious scramble over some iron
foot and hand holds around a jutting out rock which children can
negotiate with ease. ISTR it was the adults that were more
concerned at that point!
--
I try to be a good example to my children, but they just see me
as a dire warning.

Stuart Mann said:

Before the Welsh Highland Railway closed the long tunnel in the pass
there was an excellent walk from Beddgelert through the pass, through
the tunnel, then up over Cwm Bychan to Llyn Dinas and back to
Beddgelert. Does anyone know if there's a path round to the foot of
Cwm Bychan that avoids the tunnel, or is it a tarmac plod now?

The new path follows close to the river, very close in some spots,
they've even bashed some metal handrail thingies into some of the
boulders to hold on to as you go around them, to stop you falling into
the river. Where the path reaches the bridge, it contours around the
base of the hill to the car park and then up the valley. No road
walking required.

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk
http://www.wildwales.fsnet.co.uk

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

"Gooshi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

A walker's newsgroup and I mention car! Ah well here goes........

Off to N Wales for a week (Porthmadog) with my son of 9yrs. I would
like to spend a few days showing him Snowdonia but he is not able to
walk that far - simply because he is 9 and not used to long walks but
can manage a couple of miles. So I'm looking for recommendations ie
drive somewhere and walk for an hour or so (or more depends on weather
etc) then move to somewhere else and repeat and, if possible, find
somewhere to eat, pub or cafe. Then move on...can anyone help?

Also any other places worth visiting in the area?

Park at Ogwen Cottage in the Ogwen Valley and walk up to the Idwal Slabs. If
your son is still ok walk up to the Devil's Kitchen, otherwise walk round
Llyn Idwal and back down to the cottage. Parking at the cottage. Path up to
the Slabs is good, bit more difficult up to the Kitchen and ok back round
via the Llyn.

Then to Pen y Pass (parking probably difficult). Walk to round on Miner's
Track (easy) as far as you want.

Loads of places to eat in Llanberis. Some good (Pete's Eats), some not so
good.

If an offish day try the trip round the pump storage at Dinorwic. Very good
but then I had a friend who was an engineer on the project so used to get
trips into the place when they were constructing but still good
nevertheless.

Mike Mason

or try some of the forest walks around Betws-y-Coed. You can by the
guides in the tourist info place for a quid or so. These routes vary
from easy 1-2 hour strolls to some a bit more arduous with reasonable
(walking) gradients. We sometimes use them for a Sunday muscle stretch
after a hard Saturday. plenty of places to eat in town.

--
Darren

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

Park at Pen-y-pass and walk up Snowdon. The Miners track is paved, easy
going and you get to see some nice lakes and stunning scenery. IF he's 9
then you probably won't want to be going all the way up

Why ever not? Miners or PYG up; Llanberis path back down and eat
at Pete's Eats. Just right for a 9 yr old. The train - does it
run at this time of year? And it's damned expensive.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

And that's putting it mildly. My better half considered taking the
kids up on it and meeting me at the top and walking back down the
miners. but at near £60 plans got changed. (which meant that I still
haven't got to go over Crib Goch in good weather)

--
Darren

Fran said:

[email hidden] said...

Quoted message said:

Fran said:

[email hidden] said...
> Park at Pen-y-pass and walk up Snowdon. The Miners track is paved, easy
> going and you get to see some nice lakes and stunning scenery. IF he's 9
> then you probably won't want to be going all the way up

Why ever not? Miners or PYG up; Llanberis path back down and eat
at Pete's Eats. Just right for a 9 yr old. The train - does it
run at this time of year? And it's damned expensive.

Well the OP did say 2 miles... and I'm not sure if they had those new
fangled Tikka thingys you lot took on your trip...:-)

It doesn't *have* to be done in the dark... ;-)

Yes but it would be no fun otherwise and you know it!

:-)

"Darren G" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

or try some of the forest walks around Betws-y-Coed. You can by the
guides in the tourist info place for a quid or so. These routes vary
from easy 1-2 hour strolls to some a bit more arduous with reasonable
(walking) gradients. We sometimes use them for a Sunday muscle stretch
after a hard Saturday. plenty of places to eat in town.

We did a short walk to somewhere called the Fairy Glen once, from
Betws-y-Coed which was quite pretty.

In article <[email hidden]>, venus.

(Chris Street) said:

Park at Pen-y-pass and walk up Snowdon. The Miners track is paved, easy
going and you get to see some nice lakes and stunning scenery. IF he's 9
then you probably won't want to be going all the way up but you can
tempt
him with the sight of the hills to make him want to come back.

IF the weather is good, you go slowly and feed him lots of sweets, a 9
year old should be able to walk up Snowdon.
IIRC both my children had done Ben Nevis by age 9. The trick was to stop a
lot and to feed them lots of little things.
That is, IF you have good weather
Rob

On Wed, 13 Oct 2004 11:28 +0100 (BST), [email hidden] (Rob Milne)

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, venus.

(Chris Street) said:

Park at Pen-y-pass and walk up Snowdon. The Miners track is paved, easy
going and you get to see some nice lakes and stunning scenery. IF he's 9
then you probably won't want to be going all the way up but you can
tempt
him with the sight of the hills to make him want to come back.

IF the weather is good, you go slowly and feed him lots of sweets, a 9
year old should be able to walk up Snowdon.
IIRC both my children had done Ben Nevis by age 9. The trick was to stop a
lot and to feed them lots of little things.
That is, IF you have good weather

Absolutely. I doubt you could do more to put kids off walking for life than
dragging them up the rocky track to Snowdon's summit in the claggy weather
that seems to hang around there all too often.

--
Never itch for anything you aren't willing to scratch for.

Mail john rather than nospam...