Carneddau Challenge Walk

Summary

The Carneddau Challenge Walk is a demanding mountain walk with over 1,500 metres of climbing. The walk begins at sea level from Aber-Ogwen, near the Menai Strait and close to the mudflats of Lavan Sands. From Aber-Ogwen, the route heads south, crossing the A55 by a road bridge to reach Ty’n-yr-hendre. The climb begins via road to Bronydd Isaf and then by footpath to skirt the north-facing slopes of Moel Wnion, Llefn, and Moel Faban. This route is followed back to Aber-Ogwen after the mountain circuit, which begins on the slopes of Moel Faban by following a path south and east to summit Gyrn Wigau. The path then heads due east to Drosgl, Bera Bach, Yr Aryg, and Carnedd Gwenllian. Although the path passes to the south of each peak, an easy detour allows all of them to be bagged. After Carnedd Gwenllian, the route turns south and soon reaches the high point of Foel Grach at 976 metres. The effort of the heavy climbing is then rewarded with an airy ridge walk across the mountain tops to Carnedd Llewelyn (1,064 metres), Bwlch Cyfryw-drum, Cefn Ysgolion Duon, and Carnedd Dafydd (1,044 metres). From Carnedd Dafydd, the walk descends from the mountains via Mynydd Du and Afon Lasfar to the town of Bethesda, where tired walkers in need of refreshment can take a break before the walk continues across to connect back with the original path on Moel Faban, leading back to the start at Aber-Ogwen.