Category Archives: Wales

Snowdon via the Watkin Path – The last part of my Three Peaks challenge

Snowdon, Yr Wyddafa, is the highest mountain in Wales at 1085m. Snowdon was my first 3000 footer, which I went up while on Guide camp at Chester in 1966. This ascent was from Llanberis following the railway track, wearing plimsolls. Snowdon is also the busiest mountain in Great Britain largely because of the Snowdon Mountain Railway. This is a narrow gauge, rack and pinion mountain railway which carries people the 4.7 miles from Llanberis to the summit.

There are many routes up Snowdon, but my favourite walking route is the Watkin Path. Of all the official ascents, this path starts nearest sea level and so has more ascent than the other routes. However it is a very scenic route and is mostly on a well graded path.

The Watkin starts at Nantgwynant. To begin with it passes through some ancient woodland whilst gently ascending beside the Afon Cwn Llan passing some spectacular waterfalls with lovely pools.

The Watkin Path above Nantgwynant.

The Watkin Path above Nantgwynant.

The path remains steady as it ascends through old quarries. The path is easy to follow and we enjoyed the well graded walk upwards. The day was cool and we could see that we would soon be up in the clouds.
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The Three Peaks Challenge – cycling from Scafell Pike to Snowdon

On Thursday 31st July we rode away from Hollows Farm in Borrowdale.

Leaving Hollows farm in Borrowdale

Leaving Hollows farm in Borrowdale

It was before 9am so the B5289 back to Keswick was still quiet and we rode out of Keswick up the A591. When we reached Thirlmere we headed off round the back of the lake on a traffic free lane.

Quiet, picturesque lane around Thirlmere.

Quiet, picturesque lane around Thirlmere.

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