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Your guide to the mountains of Snowdonia
Ogwen rescue service
The Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation(OVMRO) encourages visitors to take the necessary precautions before planning a trip to the area.
Mostyn Estates Contract Manager and OVMRO volunteer of 33 years, Chris Lloyd, says "I think the important thing is to be well equipped." Lloyd, 52, also said he thought visitors should carry a torch, a whistle and a mobile phone to alert people to their position if they were in distress.
On average two people die a year on Snowdon and OVMRO were called out 69 times in the last year.
An RAF helicopter can be used in serious accidents at a cost of £5,500 per hour.
The Wales Mountain safe initaitive has proposed plans to install signs on the mountains to warn tourists of the potential dangers. The plans have been met by mixed reaction as some think if they are put on the mountain side it will be an eyesore.
If you need any advice on mountain safety call the OVMRO on 01690 720333
Chris Lloyd's top 5 safety tips:
- Be well equiped- take waterproofs and warm clothing
- take navigational equipment e.g. a map and a compass
- take spare food and drink to avoid getting caught out
- let people know where your going
- always take a mobile phone
Mountain Profiles
Profile: Snowdon
Translation: Burial mound
Road access to base: car parks on the A4086
Height:1085m
Description: Snowdon is the largest and most famous peak in the Snowdonia national park. Thousands of visitors climb the mountain each year and the construction of a new £8.3m cafe development at its summit is underway. This is the only mountain in the park that has a railway up the side allowing nearly anyone to reach the top. Snowdon has seven tracks leading to the peak that range in length and difficulty. The most popular path is The Miners Track for its panoramic views.
Profile: Carnedd Ugain
Translation: Twentieth cairn
Road access to base:
Height: 1,065m
Description: This is the second highest mountain in the park and it was mined for copper in the past. The remains of the mine buildings can still be seen on the mountain side on a clear day. This, combined with Crib Goch and Snowdon, forms the Snowdon Massif, which is one of the three mountain ranges in North Wales
Profile: Crib Goch
Translation: Red Comb
Road access to base: none
Height: 923m
Description: The Crib Goch is an arete, or a knife edge, standing at 923m. a path runs across this point and it can be very dangerous in high winds. In October 2007 an 11 year-old died when he fell from the pass.
Profile: Glyder Fach
Translation: small mound
Road access to base: none
Height: 994m
Description: The Glyder Fach boasts some challenging ascents for experienced rock climbers and stunning views for hikers. The routes to the top lead from Tryfan and the Bristly Ridge. The mountain is famous for the Cantilever stone which is a delicately balanced stone commonly used by visitors for photographs.
Profile: Tryfan
Translation: Three peaks
Road access to base: near to the A5
Height: 915m
Description: Tryfan is the smallest of the mountains in this range and requires visitors to ‘Scramble' to reach the summit. ‘Scrambling' is a mixture between hiking and rock climbing that enables the person to scale a shallow incliment. The peak has to large rocks at the top known as Adam and Eve for their ressemblence to people from below.
Profile: Glyder Fawr
Translation: Big mound
Road access to base: half way between the A5 and the A4085 at grid reference SH 6424 5793
Height: 999m
Description: Glyder Fawr is the highest mountain in the Glyderau range and the name refers to this. It lies on a ridge between Y Garn and Glyder Fach, which is its sister mountain. It's also marks the border of Conwy county and Gwynedd. It is home to Bryants Gully, the longest scramble in the Snowdonia National Park.
Profile: Y Garn
Translation: The Cairn
Road access to base:none
Height: 947m
Description: Glaciers shaped the mountain which some say resembles an armchair. The western side of the mountain is plain. The eastern side of the mountain has scrambles and climbing of different grades.
Profile: Elidir Fawr
Translation: Deer mountain
Road access to base: 3km west of the A5
Height: 920m
Description: Elidir Fawr is the most northern of the Glyderau range. At the top of the mountain is a lake which is used to generate electricity from a pump power station disguised inside the mountain. Elidir Fawr is flanked by two slate quarries reflecting the industrial history of the area. The ascent to the summit is quite short and accesible for the family
Profile: Carnedd Dafydd
Translation: Dafydd's cairn
Road access to base: 1km from the A5 at Nant Ffrancon
Height: 1,040m
Description: The mountain is thought to be named after the last Welsh Prince of Wales and is made from volcanic rock. It is a member of the third group of mountains in North Wales, the Carneddau. Dafydd is the fourth highest mountain in Wales and is also on the border between Conwy and Gwynedd.
Profile: Pen Yr Ole Wen
Translation: Head of the White Slope
Road access to base: 1km east of A5
Height: 978m
Description: Pen Yr Ole Wen is similar to Y Garn, on one side it its plain, but on the other there are jagged cliff edges and appears in a similar shape to a pyramid. Idwal Cottage Youth Hostel, situated to the south of the mountain is said to have the best views.
Profile: Carnedd Llywelyn
Translation: Llywelyn's cairn
Road access to base: 2km from the A5 at Nant Ffrancon
Height: 1,064m
Description: This is the third highest mountain in Snowdonia is Carnedd Llywelyn. This carnedd, or cairn, is memorial for Llywelyn. One story is that they are named after brothers Dafydd and Llwelyn who were fighting the title Prince of Wales. It is located in the centre of the Carneddau and is the highest of this range.
Profile: Yr Elen
Translation:Helen or Eleanor
Road access to base: 4km from Bethesda
Height: 962m
Description: Yr Elen is a sloping grass covered mountain, similar to Foel Grach. It stands at 962 metres above sea leveland is connected to the other mountains through a selection of pathways all with stunning views of the surrounding area. This mountain can be enjoyed by most ages, although children should be accompanied by an adult.
Profile: Foel Grach
Translation: Scabby hill
Road access to base: 3.5km from Bethesda
Height: 976m
Description: Foel Grach is a mountain largely covered in grass but the summit is capped with stones. Foel Grach lies on the pathway between Foel Fras and Carnedd Llywelyn and has an emergency shelter at the summit.
Profile: Foel Fras
Translation: Bare hill
Road access to base: 10km from Bethesda
Height: 942m
Description: The most northerly of the mountains and its name roughly translates as ‘Bare Hill'. There are no ammenities on Foel Fras, like most other mountains in the range.
