HILL, DALES AND MOUNTAIN HIKING

17th February 2009: In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision.    Web page by Bryan Benn

Near Hafod Arten, 180m

Highest Point: summit of Creigiau Gleision 678m

Distance: circa 10 kms

Weather: Milder and cloudy

Vertical altitude gain: circa 700m

Time: circa 5 hrs 30 mins

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

For my last day of what had been a hard winter trip I decided to walk lower down in the Carneddau. My starting point was the smal carp park at the end of Llyn Crafnant, a small lake/reservoir SW of Trefiw.

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau
In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

Parking for cars, (pay and display), a small toilet block and nicely signed local walks indicated this was popular starting point for walkers.

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau
In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

It wasn't far from the car park to the NE end of Llyn Crafnant.

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau
In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

My route was alongside the lake and then into a forest where the day's ascent began. Firstly on good paths and then onto the muddy stuff!

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau
In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

It was quite along trudge through the woods. Partly because of quite long sections of deep mud enocuntered from time to time.

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau
In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

Outside of the forest the track headed on up until I reached the first of two summits for the day, Creigiau Gleision North Top. From which there was fabulous view over Llyn Cowlyd to Pen Llithrig y Wrach.

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau
In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

With an equally good view more to the North, this being of Craig Eigiau that I had stood on the previous day.

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau
In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

Due North was a view down to the dam at the end of Llyn Cowlyd, which is clearly an important Welsh reservoir. -

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau.
In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

With some energy still left after my hard trip I decided to continue to the main Creigiau Gleision summit. Over an undulating track with a steep drop down to Llyn Colwyd.

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau.
In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

The walk was now on top of a fairly broad ridge, so I always had a great view of the large lake and it's attendent mountains!

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau
In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

From the summit of Creigiau Gleision there was a good view towards a distant and cloud covered Snowdon Horsehoe.

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau.
In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

From the summit there was also view back down to Llyn Crafnant, near which my walk had started some time earlier!

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau.
In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

I was tired so didn't stay long on the top. Soon heading back the way I had come with the smaller North Top summit in front of me.

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau.
In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

One last climb of the trip: back up to the top of Creigiau Gleision.

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau.
In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

From the summit it was nearly all downhill. Firstly across open country, then back into the muddy forest!

Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau.
In the Carneddau, Creigiau Gleision Creigiau Gleision walk in Carneddau

The final stretch of the walk for my aching legs was alongside Llyn Crafnant and back to the walkers' car park at it's North Eastern end.

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