This time our journey is a circular one. It’s a journey that
begins and ends at Caernarfon and takes us around Wales’ highest
mountain – Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).
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| Caernarfon |
Caernarfon – the fort in Arfon. Many think
about the large castle of Edward I (1283) when they hear the name
of the town. But the Romans had built a fort, called Segontium, here
in the Llanbeblig area about 80 AD. It’s possible too that there
was a pre-historic fort here prior to that one.
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Strydoedd Cul Caernarfon |
Today, Caernarfon is Gwynedd’s main town. Yes, the old town
has changed; but the life of times gone by can still be seen in the
middle of modern Caernarfon – on the Maes (the Square), in the
narrow streets and in the old docks. This is still a Welsh speaking
town and its people – the Cofis – are still a very special
people!
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| Llyn Padarn |
We leave Caernarfon and travel on the A4086 through the village of
Llanrug and on towards Llanberis. Before long we
are in the middle of the high mountains. On the left Elidir Fawr (mountain)
rises above Llyn Padarn (lake). Stop the car at the lakeside to look
at the fantastic view up towards Nant Peris (Llanberis Pass). On a
clear day you can see the summit of Snowdon in the distance. Today,
Llyn Padarn is a place to relax, fish and enjoy all kinds of water
sports or a boat trip.
This is a very interesting area. At one time, 3000 men worked in the
Dinorwig Quarry on the shores of Llyn Padarn. The quarry closed in
1969, but you can see the old works and learn its history in the Slate
Museum now on the site. The slate was taken by narrow gauge railway
to the port at Felinheli; today you can travel on the little train
along the shore of Llyn Padarn. Llanberis was the home of the writer
T Rowland Hughes (1903-1949) who wrote about the hard lives of the
quarrymen.
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| Llanberis |
Today, in the heart of Elidir Fawr, there is a huge hydro-electric
scheme and you can travel into the mountain to see the power station.
Llyn Peris is part of this scheme. In the morning the level of the
water is low, but by the end of the day the level of the water has
risen after a day of producing electricity.
We travel on, past the Snowdon Mountain Railway terminus and the beginning
of the long path up to the summit of Snowdon. We then begin to climb
up Nant Peris until we reach Pen-y-Pass. From the car park nearby,
thousands of people walk past the three lakes – Teyrn, Llydaw
and Glaslyn – to the summit of Snowdon. If you want to make
the journey, remember to dress suitably!
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| Beddgelert |
The road descends now to the Pen-y-Gwryd hotel and joins the A498
between Capel Curig and Beddgelert. We turn right and travel down
Nant Gwynant. Stop at the car park to look across the valley into
the Snowdon Horseshoe and down on Llyn Gwynant. Then on down the road
which twists and turns, past Llyn Gwynant and follow the Glaslyn river
past Llyn Dinas towards Moel Hebog (mountain) and the village of Beddgelert.
Have you heard the story about Gelert the dog, the wolf and Prince
Llywelyn’s baby? It’s a fantasy story; a nice tale to
draw in the tourists! But it’s worth stopping in this lovely
area to enjoy the views and walk along the river Glaslyn to the Aberglaslyn
pass. The trains of the Welsh Highland Railway used to travel 25 miles
from Caernarfon through Beddgelert and on to Porthmadog 60 years ago.
Soon the new Welsh Highland Railway company’s little trains
will once more carry people all the way from the Menai Strait to Tremadog
Bay.
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| O Gopa'r Wyddfa |
Return to the car and travel northwards again on the A4085 from beddgelert
to Caernarfon. Past the Beddgelert Forest and Llyn y Gadair on the
left until you reach the little village of Rhyd Ddu. From the car
park on the right you can walk to the summit of Snowdon. In August
2003 the Welsh Highland Railway opened a new station here and it’s
now possible to travel by little train between Caernarfon and Rhyd
Ddu. The village is also famous for one of Wales’ best poets,
T.H.Parry-Williams (1887-1975). His father was headmaster of the village
school. His cousin, the poet R Williams Parry (1884-1956) lived in
the village of Tal-y-sarn over the mountain in the Nantlle Valley.
On we go once more, following the river Gwyrfai past Llyn Cwellyn,
through Betws Garmon and on to Waunfawr. The village is famous worldwide
for Antur Waunfawr – a community enterprise which works with
people with learning difficulties.
Our journey is almost at an end as we cross the river seiont and return
to Caerrnarfon; on past the Segontium museum, back through the middle
of the town, park at the quayside and look over towards Ynys Môn
(Anglesey) and the sun setting over Llanddwyn – a lovely ending
to a lovely journey.
Pictures: Wales Tourist Board
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