3-Night Southern Snowdonia Tread Lightly Guided Walking Holiday Tour Style: Tread Lightly Destinations: Snowdonia & Wales Trip code: DGSUS-3 2, 3 & 5 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW We are all well-versed in ‘leaving no trace’ but now we invite you to join us in taking it to the next level with our new Tread Lightly walks. We have pulled together a series of spectacular walks which do not use transport, reducing our carbon footprint while still exploring the best landscapes that Southern Snowdonia have to offer. You will still enjoy the choice of three top-quality walks of different grades as well as the warm welcome of a HF country house, all with the added peace of mind that you are doing your part in protecting our incredible British countryside. Steeped in history, the landscapes of southern Snowdonia unfold to reveal one of Wales’ best-kept secrets. Tucked away from the honeypot hotspots to the north of the National Park, the solitude and stunning scenery await discovery on our Guided Walking holidays. WHAT'S INCLUDED • High quality en-suite accommodation at our country house • Full board from dinner upon arrival to breakfast on departure day • 2 full days of guided walking with choice of easier, medium and harder grades www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 1 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 • Use of our comprehensive Discovery Point • The services of HF Holidays Walking Leaders HOLIDAYS HIGHLIGHTS • Enjoy breath-taking walks from the doors of our country house • Explore the historic town of Dolgellau • Visit the remains of Snowdonia’s gold mines • Enjoy stunning views of Cader Idris and the Mawddach estuary ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival Day You're welcome to check in from 4pm onwards. Enjoy a complimentary Afternoon Tea on arrival. Day 2: Around Dolgellau Option 1 - Dolgellau And Glyn Arran Distance: 7 miles (11½km) Ascent: 1,100 ft (340m) In Summary: Leaving the House, we walk up the Afon Clywedog , then on quiet lanes and footpaths to descend the Arran valley to Dolgellau. We return to the house on quiet lanes on the other side of the valley. Highlight: The beautiful Torrent Walk alongside the Afon Clywedog, and an opportunity to explore the historic town of Dolgellau. Option 2 - Cymer Abbey, Dolgellau And Glyn Arran Distance: 10 miles (16½km) Ascent: 1,450 ft (440m) In Summary: We walk west along quiet lanes to the site of Cymer Abbey, and into Dolgellau. Leaving Dolgellau, we climb up the Arran valley, and on footpaths and quiet lanes to descend the Clywedog valley to the House Highlight: A visit to Cymer Abbey, an opportunity to explore historic Dolgellau, and the beautiful Torrent Walk alongside the Afon Clywedog Option 3 - New Precipice Walk And Dolgellau Distance: 12 miles (19km) Ascent: 1,950 feet (580m) In Summary: We walk on quiet lanes down the Mawddach valley to the village of Llanelltyd then climb through woods to the balcony New Precipice Walk, passing abandoned gold mines. Descending through woods, we cross the Afon Mawddach to follow the Mawddach Trail to Dolgellau, then by quiet lanes back to the House. www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 2 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Highlight: Remains of gold mines, stunning views of Cader Idris and the Mawddach estuary, and a chance to explore historic Dolgellau. Day 3: Brithdir And Torrent Walk Option 1 - Foel Caerynwch And Torrent Walk Distance: 6 miles (9½km) Ascent: 1,200 feet (360m) In Summary: A circular walk from the house, we start by walking through the tranquil woods behind the house crossing streams and fields reaching Brithdir. We then ascend up to the summit of Foel Caerynwch where you can take some time to enjoy the views. Following that, we will descend to reach the very interesting St Mark's Church before walking along the river back to the house. Highlight: Short and easy summit walk with great views at the top and a visit to St Mark's Church. Option 2 - Roman Road, Foel Caerynwch And Torrent Walk Distance: 7½ miles (12km) Ascent: 1,500 feet (480m) In Summary: Leaving the House, we climb gradually through woods to reach a Roman road, then across open moorland to the summit of Foel Caerynwch. We then descend to the road, passing St Marks Church, and descending the Torrent Walk to the House. Highlight: Roman road, views of the Mawddach Valley and Cader Idris, the Art Nouveau St Marks Church Option 3 - Waun Oer Distance: 12½ miles (20km) Ascent: 3,000 feet (880m) In Summary: We explore the seldom visited Dyfi Hills at the southern extremity of the Snowdonia National Park. Walking steadily uphill through woods and on lanes, we cross open moorland before climbing up to the ridge and over the summits of Waun Oer and Mynydd Ceiswyn. Descending from the ridge, we pass through a SSSI noted for its orchids, and the Torrent Walk back to the house. Highlight: An old coach road across open moorland, an interesting disused slate quarry, stunning views of Cader Idris, the Dyfi Hills and Dyfi Forest, and (in season) possibly finding orchids. Day 4: 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 www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 3 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 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 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 www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 4 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 Better Rooms to choose from.