Get active in Carneddau and Glyderau

The wild Carneddau and rugged Glyderau mountain ranges are popular with all kinds of adventure seekers.

Walking

We maintain over 100km of footpaths in the Carneddau and Glyderau, so there are endless opportunities for hikers in the area. 

Pick up an OL17 Snowdonia OS map which covers all the main walking routes, most are accessible from the A5 trunk road that runs from Bethedsa to Capel Curig.

The routes and paths vary in difficulty and all walkers should be fully equipped and prepared for any eventuality whilst walking in the mountains. The weather here can change very quickly from sunny and clear to treacherous.

Scrambling 

The iconic Tryfan is where Edmund Hilary and his team trained for their acent of Everest. Often voted the nations favouriate mountain its rocky terrain makes for a challenging walk and various levels of scrambling. 

Climbing

The slabs and rock faces at Cwm Idwal, Tryfan and surrounding Glyderau are of international significance to climbers and hikers, attracting some 400,000 visitors each year.

The Glyderau is also home to Helyg, the UK’s first mountaineering hut that opened in 1934.

Outdoor pursuits training is available from local outdoor centres such as the National Mountaineering Centre at Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig.

Bouldering

Rapidly increasing in popularity, the Carneddau and Glyderau has excellent opportunities for bouldering – low level climbing without the aid of a rope - often on large glacial boulders. The RAC boulders at Dyffryn Mymbyr are a great spot to try out your skills.

Wild swimming

Increasingly popular among the very brave and hardy, our lakes and rivers, set in magnificent surroundings, can't be rivalled by indoor heated pools. Like other mountainous activities, be prepared and don't swim alone.