The Cambrian Way
Southern section - Brecon Beacons
The mountains of south Wales offer some superb ridge
walks, which combine to form the southern section of the
Cambrian Way. Following a high level route, based on Tony
Drake’s book, this magnificent and challenging walk fully
encompasses the region’s grandeur.
Northern section - Snowdonia
Following a high-level route through the mountains of
Snowdonia, the Cambrian Way is the most challenging of our
guided trails. Visiting many of the region’s highest summits,
with breathtaking scenery throughout, this is a holiday for the
true mountain connoisseur.
Detailed information
| Detailed itinerary - Southern Section |
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79 miles with 10 to 16 miles and up to 4,100ft of ascent in
a day. |
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival day
Day 2: Abergavenny to Capel-y-Ffin
Distance: 21km (13 miles), 1,033m (3,400ft) of ascent
We head off in a north-westerly direction and soon start ascending
our first summit of the day, the Sugar Loaf. Continuing along
the ridge we start descending to a small village called Forest
Coal Pit. From here we head north, along some minor roads
and paths, towards the splendour of the Black Mountains' ridges.
We climb Garn Wen, with the Vale of Ewyas (the only glaciated
valley in the Black Mountains) to the east of us. From here
the ridge gets narrower as we ascend to the highest point
of today's walk, at Chwarel Y Fan (2,228 feet). The ridge
walk continues until we reach a stone, the Blacksmith's Anvil,
where we turn north and descend, to the village of Capel-y-Ffin.
Day 3: Capel-y-Ffin to Crickhowell
Distance: 25½km (16 miles), 790m (2,600ft) of ascent
This is the Black Mountains day, with most of the route over faint paths on undefined
common ground. The first summit is Twmpa, also known as Lord Hereford's Knob,
a splendid viewpoint situated on the north-west escarpment of the Black Mountains.
From here, we change direction to head south west along the top of the escarpment
towards Blaen Grwyne Fawr before turning south to Pen Y Manllwyn. We eventually
reach the plateau summit of Waun Fach (2,660ft), the highest point in the Black
Mountains. Some superb ridge walking follows before descending to Table Mountain
with its Iron Age fort and then down to Crickhowell, named after the Iron Age
fort on Table Mountain, which was known as Crug Hywel (Howell's Cairn).
Day 4: Crickhowell to Torpantau Pass
Distance: 23km (14½ miles), 670m (2,200ft) of ascent
We leave Crickhowell, heading south-west via Crickhowell Bridge,
which spans the River Usk. Our walk is fairly level to begin
with, before we pick up an old tramway with a very steep incline.
We have to climb to reach a ledge, at Llangatock Quarries
where we follow another tramway along the ledge. We eventually
descend from the ledge to follow a minor road to Blaen Onneu.
From here we head across the Central Brecon Beacons, over
some wild and open moorland. We cross undefined ground to
Yr Allt, the last summit of the day, and should be able to
catch views of two or three reservoirs. We finish our walk,
a short distance further on, at Torpantau Pass.
Day 5: Torpantau Pass to Maen Llia
Distance: 19km (12 miles), 1,064m (3,500ft) of ascent
There are some serious ascents and descents as we traverse the main Brecon Beacons
and Forest Fawr, so it is a tough walk today. From Torpantau Pass we immediately
climb to the summit of Craig-y-Fan-Ddu. Here we follow a well used footpath along
the south east ridge for some distance before veering across the wild, open moorland
to reach the north ridge of the Central Beacons at Craig Cwareli. We then descend
to Storey Arms and enter the next area of the Brecon Beacons, known as Forest
Fawr. Our route, mainly undefined, over this large moor contains a number of small
ascents and descents. We end our walk at Maen Llia, an ancient standing stone
said to have been erected by the Beaker people about 4000 years ago.
Day 6: Maen Llia to Llanddeusant
Distance: 21km (13 miles), 1,250m (4,100ft) of ascent
We take a permitted path through the Cnewr estate and immediately
ascend our first summit of the day. From here we head for
Fan Gihirych and a steep and pathless descent to Bwlch Bryn
Rhudd. Outside the Cnewr estate we cross the River Tawe and
head for the southern edge of Llyn y Fan Fawr. From the lake
we ascend, quite steeply, up the crags to the summit of Bannau
Brycheiniog. We now enter the last of the four areas of the
Brecon Beacons National Park - the Black Mountain. We continue
along a ridge, descending slightly, then ascending to the
summit of Bannau Sir Gaer. Nestling below us is Llyn-y-Fan
Fach, to which we descend. Following a reservoir road we continue
on to Blaenau, ending our day near the church at Llanddeusant.
Day 7: Llanddeusant to Llandovery
Distance: 16km (10 miles), 335m (1,100ft) of ascent
A short stretch of road walking to start with, before we take
to the fields, contouring around the north western, lower
slopes of Mynydd Y Ilan and Bryn Cedni. We descend from Fedw
Fawr, before ascending gradually to the south-east summit
of Mynydd Myddfai. This is our last summit. A road walk follows
a descent to Myddfai. The route from Myddfai to Llandovery
is along little-used tracks and paths. Llandovery is an old market
town, and it's here we end our Cambrian Way walk.
Day 8: Depart after breakfast
[Back to the top]
| Detailed
itinerary - Northern Section |
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64 miles with 7 to 13 miles and up to 4,100ft of ascent in
a day. |
Day 1: Arrival day
Day 2: Barmouth to Cwm Nantcol
Distance: 17½km (11 miles), 1,000m (3,300ft) of ascent
We start the northern section from the seaside town of Barmouth. We climb up to
the ridge of the Rhinogs, before following another ridge to Diffwys. Here the
going gets rougher, and spectacular cliffs drop to the east of our path, which
leads on to Y Llethr. Care is needed on the descent to the beautiful Llyn Hywel
and over rough ground to Cwm Nantcol.
Day 3: Cwm Nantcol to Llyn Trawsfynydd
Distance: 16km (10 miles), 1,125m (3,700ft) of ascent
We set off over fields but soon reach rough country to ascend the summit of Rhinog
Fawr. We descend by the famous Roman Steps to Cwm Bychan, before climbing up again
for the final ridge of the Rhinogs. This is a pathless stretch over Moel Ysgyfarnogod
before descending to Moelfryn on the southern shore of Lyn Transfynydd.
Day 4: Ffestiniog to Llyn Dinas
Distance: 20km (12½ miles), 1,250m (4,100ft) of ascent
We rejoin the Cambrian Way in the Vale of Ffestiniog and walk through woodland
to the reservoir of Tanygrisiau. More demanding walking takes us up past the Stwlan
dam to the summit of Moelwyn Mawr. We head to Llyn yr Adar, where we turn south-west
along the ridge over Cnicht and follow an attractive route to Llyn Dinas.
Day 5: Llyn Dinas to Pen-y-Pass via Snowdon
Distance: 17km (10½ miles), 1,065m (3,500ft) of ascent
The start of the Watkin Path leads us up past delightful waterfalls and remains
of old mining operations to Bwlch Cwm Llan. From here we follow the south ridge
to the top of Snowdon (3,560ft). It is then downhill all the way following the
Pyg track to Pen-y-Pass.
Day 6: Pen-y-Pass to Llyn Ogwen via the Glyders
Distance: 11 km (7 miles), 760m (2,500ft) of ascent
We follow rough paths to the summits of Glyder Fawr and its
twin Glyder Fach, before dropping down to meet the track used
by miners going home from Bethesda to Snowdon. This track
takes us over Bwlch Tryfan and down to Ogwen Cottage; we then
continue to the east end of Llyn Ogwen.
Day 7: Llyn Ogwen and over the Carneddau to Rowen
Distance: 21km (13 miles), 1,125m (3,700ft) of ascent
We have a glorious walk of about 6 miles along the top of Pen yr Ole Wen, nearly
all of it over 3,000 feet. We take in the peaks of Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewelyn,
Foel Grach and Garnedd Uchaf. It is a mixture of good paths and rough sections
over loose rock. The ridge drops as we approach the north coast and we pick up
the old roman road to the Inn at Rowen.
Day 8: Depart after breakfast
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| Dates and prices |
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| The Cambrian Way South |
Sat 3 May 2008 |
7 |
£579 |
Premium single & twin rooms supplement: £5 per person, per night
| The Cambrian Way North |
Sat 17 May 2008 |
7 |
£589 |
| The Cambrian Way North |
Sat 5 July 2008 |
7 |
£589 |
Premium single & twin rooms supplement: £5 per person, per night
Save £105 if you book a twin non-en-suite room
[Back to the top]
| Average temperatures |
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| May |
7°C |
14°C |
| July |
11°C |
18°C |
[Back to the top]
|
 Southern Section
You'll stay in Nythfa
House our friendly Country House accommodation in the Brecon Beacons.
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 Northern Section
You'll stay in Bryn Corach
our friendly Country House accommodation in Conwy, Snowdonia.
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These holidays are amongst the most challenging that we offer. You will need to be extremely fit, experienced walker
with a good head for heights. Walking will be over rough ground, may involve scrambling
(a cross between hill walking and climbing) and can be at a demanding pace. Party
sizes are restricted to between 6 and 14. Because staying fit on holiday is never
guaranteed, all these holidays run alongside easier alternatives, which you can
usually join at any stage during your holiday.
Safety first - These holidays will involve potentially dangerous conditions.
On Winter Hill Walking & Ridges and Scrambles holidays helmets will be provided.
All our Leaders carry appropriate equipment including group survival shelters
but you should have, and be prepared to carry, personal clothing and equipment
of a reasonable standard. A personal equipment list is available on request. |
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