Just say sNOwdon!
Bank holiday walks in Eryri (Snowdonia) can be absolutey ‘rammed’ and parking can be a nightmare if you don’t get up at the crack of sparrows (or earlier). You wont find a parking space in any of the most well known Eryri car parks after 8am, so where is best to go for a quieter bank holiday walk without millions of noisy people.
Here are my list of go to places in Eryri to beat the crowds and ensure you get a good stress free parking spot.
Best People Free Walks in North Wales
I’m not recommending anywhere that starts in Llanberis or Ogwen Valley as the tow trucks will be in full force. These are stunning places to visit but they get so busy. <y advice is to stay well clear of them on a Bank Holiday weekend in North Wales if the weather is lovely.
Cwm Eigiau Horseshoe – Ponies Everywhere
This route gets you to the top of the second highest mountain in Eryri without going anywhere near Ogwen Valley. If you don’t see a Carneddau Pony then you should ask for your money back 😉 (oh I forgot it’s free parking)
The Crafnant Circular – Loos & views
There’s a huge FREE car park with loos and while this lake is beautiful it’s not as popular as some of the other big lakes so you’re very likely to get a parking spot to start this stunning walk. Seriously, this route has epic views but it’s not what I’d class as an easy walk, it involves some attention to the map.
The Marchlyn Loop – this could be the best circular walk in Eryri
My favourite walk (seriously, it’s a stunner) Another free car park (more of a wide track but room for lots of cars) at the start of this beautiful loop. It starts pretty boring on a road, a bit of a slog – but you wont believe how it transforms, I think I must have around 10,000 pictures from the 5 times I’ve walked this route in the last 3 years!
Nantlle Ridge – a little scramble without the crowds
I have a video guide for this walk which gives you a really good idea of the level of scrambling needed for this circular walk. I love this walk, especially if you take the time to visit the Jubilee Tower, it looks like a huge Trig Point!
Cnicht (but from Gelli Iago)
Not many people walk up from this way! The mountain is nowhere near as popular as many in Eryri but this starting point adds extra solitude! There’s a video guide showing you in detail the start of this walk and where I park.
Moel Hebog
It’s unlikely you’ll have to queue for the trig point on Moel Hebog, but you’ll get equally great photos from up here.
Where to avoid walking on a Bank Holiday in Snowdonia
Just say sNOwdon!
You wont get any Pen Y Pass parking for walking up Yr Wydffa on a Bank Holiday Weekend unless you booked 5 months ago. You should be able to get park and ride from Llanberis etc, but Yr Wyddfa will be full of shouty people playing music. That’s not why you want to walk in the mountains! Save stunning Yr Wyddfa for an off peak day, book a Tuesday off work in May or September – the mountain will thank you for it and you’ll be able to enjoy it properly.
If you are absolutely determined to walk up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) on a Bank Holiday Weekend then try the Ranger, Watkin or Rhydd Ddu Paths (but look at parking well ahead and get there early) There’s a great Snowdon Routes guide on my other (day job) blog, OS Get Outside.
Capel Curig will probably be busy as there are lots of lowland walks from here- so any walks starting around here are probably a non starter unless you get there really early to nab a space in the car park. If you do start from Capel Curig early you can try walking this lovely Foel Goch Circular route – this will mean avoiding lots of Ogwen Valley hiking traffic but still getting into these hills.
Ogwen Valley – get a 6AM Start!
As a North Walian I wouldn’t even attempt Ogwen Valley Walks over a Bank Holiday in North Wales. I know I’m lucky as I get to go more regularly being only 45 minutes away.
People get there incredibly early, maybe that could be you… but why not try one of the mountains I’ve suggested above instead. They are much less likedly to be rammed full of people. They may not have exactly what the absolutely stunning Glyderau have but they are fantastic mountain walks and lots of them have breathtaking views for photography
If you want to completely avoid Eryri then you might want to look at Walks in the Clwydian Range (just avoid Moel Famau as that also gets very busy!)
Whatever you are planning have a great Bank Holiday weekend and stay safe
Hilary x
Leave a Reply