Epic Hikes of the World ( PDFDrive )

© Jamie Robinson | 500px
the mountains of Snowdonia National Park
So one late summer’s evening, we spread the map out next to the fire in Rowen
Youth Hostel looking for not the fastest, but the most appealing route across
Snowdonia. This time we’d be starting in the north, devoting the whole of our first
day to the imposing Carneddau mountains, where Foel-fras would be our first
summit.
It’s an area rich in wildlife, from dwarf willow (the world’s smallest tree) and the
carnivorous sundew plant to the wild ponies that graze these isolated hills, and the
peregrines flying overhead. But we didn’t see a single walker until we were finally
climbing the flanks of the 3484ft (1062m) Carnedd Llewelyn. Surrounded by
incredible cliff-faces, there are so many possible routes and diversions that you
could dedicate an entire weekend to this mountain alone. An out-and-back was
required to pick off the shapely summit of 3156ft (962m) Yr Elen, with its
grandstand seat of some of the most impressive mountain scenery in North Wales.
The sun was shining as we dropped towards Carnedd Dafydd, with clouds
skidding overhead slicing through the clear mountain air. ‘Where are all the other
walkers?’ asked Ben. The Carneddau are almost criminally overlooked, but they
deliver a hint of wilderness that’s difficult to find in Britain.
By the time we made the summit of 3209ft (978m) Pen yr Ole Wen, our final tick
of the day, it was getting dark. We could see Idwal Cottage YHA below us – our
stop for the night – and decided to make a direct descent over ankle-busting
slopes.