5-Night Southern Snowdonia Big Mountain Walks Tour Style: Challenge Walks Destinations: Snowdonia & Wales Trip code: DGBGW-5 Trip Walking Grade: 6 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW Complete some of Snowdonia’s finest mountain ridges on this exciting holiday. These routes often include a bit of scrambling to add interest and finish on a pointy summit, so you know you’ve "topped out". The “Big Mountain Walks” holidays feature some absolute classics, all of which are must-do's for keen hillwalkers. And if you've done them before you know you'll never tire of this fine collection. WHAT'S INCLUDED • High quality en-suite accommodation in our country house • Full board from dinner upon arrival to breakfast on departure day • 4 days guided walking • The services of HF Holidays Walking Leaders www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 1 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 HOLIDAYS HIGHLIGHTS • Discover the dramatic scenery and history of Southern Snowdonia • Tackle some of Wale's finest ridge walks • Discover the wild and rugged Rhinogs • Ascend Cadair Idris via the famous Minffordd Path • Tackle some of Snowdonia’s finest ridges • Enjoy the rocky Aran ridge and visit the highest point in Southern Snowdonia TRIP SUITABILITY Big Walks Snowdonia - The nature of these routes means that the days will be long and strenuous with considerable steep ascents and descents over rough ground, bogs and streams, and will include easy scrambling up to Grade 1. The routes also involve moving along narrow airy ridges and walking above steep slopes where a slip could have serious consequences. It is essential that you have previous experience of mountain walking in the UK over rough terrain (including scrambling) and have a good head for heights. Scrambling is the link between hill walking and rock climbing with the use of hands on the rock to assist progress. We will only be doing easy scrambling (up to Grade 1) which requires no special mountaineering skills or equipment, and which should be within the capability of any adventurous and experienced hill walker. Examples of comparable Grade 1 scrambles are Crib Goch in North Wales and Sharp Edge in the Lake District. ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary Afternoon Tea on arrival. Day 2: Nantlle Possibly the most exciting ridge-walk in Snowdonia, we set off from the shores of Llyn Cwm Dulyn to ascend our first top, Mynydd Graig Goch. This is quickly followed by Carnedd-Goch and then Craig Cwm Silyn before we arrive at the narrow part of the ridge which gives some breath-taking views. The summit of Mynydd Tal-y- mignedd is adorned with an obelisk and the narrow,grassy ridge continues via Trun y Ddysgl and Mynedd Drws-y-coed to end abruptly at Y Garn. From here it’s a steep descent to finish the walk at Rhyd-Ddu. Distance: 8 miles (13kms) Ascent: 3,000 feet (920m) Day 3: Cader Idris We take the classic Minffordd Path to the summit of Cader Idris as it gives great views of Llyn Cau during the ascent. After enjoying views from the rocky summit, we follow the ridge East to visit the tops of Mynydd Moel and then Gau Graig before descending down a steep, grassy slope. Our route back to Dolserau includes the famous Torrent Walk, much favoured by Victorian tourists to the area. Distance: 9 miles (14.5km) Ascent: 3200 feet (970m) Day 4: Rhinogs The Rhinogs are probably the most remote and least-visited mountains in Wales and are characterised by heather and rock and very little grass. Our route starts at Graigddu-isaf and follows forest tracks to the summit www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 of the pass of Drws-Ardudwy. Here we take a very steep path through heather to reach the rocky summit of Rhinog Fach. Then it’s down to Llyn Hywel and back to the pass where we make a rough ascent to the summit of Rhinog Fawr. A challenging and exhilarating day to finish the week. Distance: 8 miles (13km) Ascent: 3,000 feet (920m) Day 5: Arans This is an excellent high-level walk that starts at the remote Bwlch y Groes or “the Pass of the Cross”. We approach the Aran ridge from the East which gives us the best view of these craggy summits. Aran Benllyn is the first top followed by Aran Fawddwy, the highest point on the ridge at just under 3,000 feet, then Glasgwm before we descend to the end of the walk at Bwlch Oerddrws. Distance: 12 miles (19km) Ascent: 2.800 feet (860m) Day 6: Departure Day Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home. ACCOMMODATION Dolserau Hall Walkers in the know head to southern Snowdonia to uncover one of Wales’ best-kept secrets. Stood in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, just a couple of miles from the attractive market town of Dolgellau, Dolserau Hall makes a superb base for getting off the beaten path. The tranquillity of the location wraps around you. A smart country house with breathtaking views from every room, attractive gardens and vistas that stretch across the valley to the summit of Cadair Idris, you’re surrounded by rural inspiration. Depending on what mood strikes, explore the Rhinogs, take on a classic ridge walk with great views, set foot on the Mawddach Trail or follow the coast to Harlech, where the eponymous medieval castle stands on a wonderful position overlooking the sweeping sands of Cardigan Bay. Croeso I Cymru, as they say around here. Matchless Country House Accommodation Accommodation Info Need To Know Important Covid-19 Steps We Have Taken For Guest Safety: Please Read Following the relaxation in government guidance on 19 July, we are continuing to take extra steps to keep our guests leaders, and staff safe in our HF country houses. We ask all our guests to respect the measures put in place. The English, Scottish and Welsh governments are not in sync, so measures in our country houses will vary between the nations. With the relaxation of social distancing in England, from 19 July we will be allowing larger groups to dine and relax in the bar together. However, we will still give guests space e.g. we will seat 6 people at a table where pre-pandemic we may have seated 8. We will ensure our public rooms are well ventilated by opening doors and windows wherever possible. If you have any concerns about distancing, please speak to the House Manager. The government recommendation for England is to wear face coverings in crowded www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 areas. You must wear a face covering by law in public areas in hotels in Scotland. This is mandatory in public spaces; however, face coverings will not be required whilst eating and drinking in the restaurant and bar areas or whilst you are outside our houses. In Wales face coverings will remain a legal requirement indoors, with the exception of hospitality premises. As a temporary measure, we will not be servicing rooms during a stay. Extra tea, coffee, milk, and toiletries will be made available on request for all guests. It is recommended that guests bring their own toiletries for the duration of their stay. We will though be increasing the frequency of cleaning in our public areas providing particular attention to frequently touched items including door handles and handrails. Menus for the week will be available in your room on arrival. A self-service breakfast will be served from 7.45am – 9am. Picnic lunches will now be pre-ordered the night before from an order form in the room. Evening meals will be table service. A dinner order form will be available in each room for completion. Dinner is served at either 7.15pm or 7.30pm. Please check at the house for details. The bar will be open. We will be offering a table service but guests can also come to the bar to order (depending on local restrictions). Join our team after dinner on Wednesday evenings for the HF Big Pub Quiz. There will be one other evening of entertainment at the start of the week, which will vary depending on the country house that you are staying at. Our Walk Leaders will also be on hand in the bar or lounge for individual or small group walks talks briefings, which allow guests to talk through the following day’s walk options and ask any questions. All of our swimming pools are open, except for Glen Coe, which will not re-open this year. Swimming Pools will be operated in line with maximum capacities. For more information and to see all the steps taken, visit our page on how house stays will be adapted. Rooms Tea & coffee-making facilities, TV, Hairdryer, Toiletries, Wi-Fi Stay in the smartly presented rooms in the main house or in one of the handful of bedrooms in the converted coach house close by. With 23 rooms, Dolserau Hall has plenty of space and there’s a range of Good and Better Rooms to choose from. Enjoy the extra space of Room 1 and soak luxuriously in the tub that comes with the room, or watch the light change outside from the comfort and privacy of the sofa in front of the large picture window in Room 5. All ‘Good’ rooms are ensuite and furnished to a high standard.