North Wales

NORTH WALES

2019

I spent just under a week exploring Snowdonia National Park whilst based in Beddgelert. As a quick little add-on, I popped up to Anglesey in the hopes of seeing some Red Squirrels.

Red Kite flying in the rain at Rhayader
Red Kite flying in the rain at Rhayader

Red Kite flying in the rain at the feeding station in Rhayader, Mid Wales.

Two Red Kites flying at Rhayader with full view of underwing
Early morning Llyn Gwynant at Snowdonia National Park
Two Red Kites flying at Rhayader with full view of underwing
Early morning Llyn Gwynant at Snowdonia National Park

Llyn Gwynant

Llyn Llydaw and low clouds in Snowdonia National Park
Llyn Llydaw and low clouds in Snowdonia National Park

On the first day I took the Miners Path up towards Snowdonia, passing Llyn Llydaw.

Stone path up mountains along Miners Track, Snowdonia National Park
Stone path up mountains along Miners Track, Snowdonia National Park
Waterfall along Miners Track to Snowdonia
Glaslyn and low cloud obscuring Snowdonia from Miners Track
Waterfall along Miners Track to Snowdonia
Glaslyn and low cloud obscuring Snowdonia from Miners Track

Glaslyn at the foot of Snowdon Peak.

The final ascent of the Miners Track was steep and challenging. I decided against attempting it since the summit was obscured in cloud.

Valley looking towards Capel Curig in Snowdonia National Park
Mountain view from Pen-y-Pass in Snowdonia National Park
Mountain view from Pen-y-Pass in Snowdonia National Park

Mountain view from Pen-y-Pass.

Valley looking towards Capel Curig in Snowdonia National Park
Overlooking Llyn Ogwen with rocks in foreground
Overlooking Llyn Ogwen with rocks in foreground

Overlooking Llyn Ogwen

Llyn Idwal cast in shadow
Llyn Idwal cast in shadow

Llyn Idwal cast in shadow.

River cascading over rocks with slow shutter speed
River cascading over rocks with slow shutter speed

Mountain stream cascading down towards Llyn Dinas. I do enjoy playing around with slower shutter speeds when photographing water (5s with ND filter).

Path and steps through woodland in Snowdonia National Park
Path and steps through woodland in Snowdonia National Park
Watkin Path leading to Snowdonia with river
Watkin Path leading to Snowdonia with river

This was the furthest I trekked along the Watkin Path on the southern route leading to Snowdon as I wanted to experiment some more photographing the river and waterfalls. Plus, I also wanted to walk some of the Snowdon Ranger Path later in the afternoon.

River, ruins along the Watkin Path in Snowdonia National Park
River, ruins along the Watkin Path in Snowdonia National Park
Waterfall alongside the Watkin Path in Snowdonia National Park
Beddgelert village with river and stone bridge
Waterfall alongside the Watkin Path in Snowdonia National Park
Beddgelert village with river and stone bridge

The picturesque village of Beddgelert.

Snowdon Ranger Path up to Snowdon with stone wall and sheep in field
Snowdon Ranger Path up to Snowdon with stone wall and sheep in field

The first part of the Snowdon Ranger Path up to Snowdon from the west.

Snowdon Ranger Path up to Snowdon
Snowdon Ranger Path up to Snowdon

Snowdon Ranger Path.

Finally, the cloud cleared and I could see the summit for the first time. However, I didn't have enough time to make the final ascent and also decided against waiting until sunset for the last light on the mountain. It was nice having the path mostly to myself.

Sheep on Snowdon Ranger Path and sunburst behind mountain in Snowdonia National Park
Sheep on Snowdon Ranger Path and sunburst behind mountain in Snowdonia National Park
Afon Glaslyn with slow shutter speed taken from Pont Glaslyn
Afon Glaslyn with slow shutter speed taken from Pont Glaslyn

On my last day I walked south from Beddgelert and followed the Afon Glaslyn as far as Pont Glaslyn.

Afon Glaslyn with slow shutter speed surrounded by woodland
Red Squirrel climbing up pine tree in Anglesey
Afon Glaslyn with slow shutter speed surrounded by woodland
Red Squirrel climbing up pine tree in Anglesey

A photography workshop I'd booked onto was sadly cancelled at the last minute, but I decided to go to Anglesey anyway and see what I could find. I had a lovely walk but only saw a few Red Squirrels afterwards, when I was back at my car!

Heart shaped lichen growing on pine tree in Anglesey
Heart shaped lichen growing on pine tree in Anglesey
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