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Great-Britain, Wales: Return to Snowdonia

FEATURE (Category: Europe | Great-Britain | summer | water | coasts | mountains | scenic drives | nature reserves | outdoor | hiking)

Great-Britain, Wales: Return to Snowdonia

This is the tale of my return to the spot where my enthusiasm for mountain hiking was born, bringing my daughter this time, who has a rather different point of view towards rambling. Our exploration of North Wales with its mountains, lakes and fascinating coastline offers a broad perspective on national park Snowdonia.

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  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2374] 'Harlech Beach, Snowdonia.' The curve in the extremely wide Harlech Beach looks glorious. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2374] 'Harlech Beach, Snowdonia.' The curve in the extremely wide Harlech Beach looks glorious. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2387] 'Portmeiron, Snowdonia.' Portmeiron lies where the Vale of Ffestiniog meets the sea, in a wide tidal estuary. Seen from across the water it looks like a normal village, albeit in an unusually picturesque location. Not until you’re walking around in it can you believe that this is the folly of an eccentric: the English industrial Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. More than anything, the little town exudes an Italian atmosphere with its Mediterranean pastel-coloured facades, its columns, baroque balustrades and campanile. The surrounding park, which has subtropical plants thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, adds to the illusion. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2387] 'Portmeiron, Snowdonia.' Portmeiron lies where the Vale of Ffestiniog meets the sea, in a wide tidal estuary. Seen from across the water it looks like a normal village, albeit in an unusually picturesque location. Not until you’re walking around in it can you believe that this is the folly of an eccentric: the English industrial Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. More than anything, the little town exudes an Italian atmosphere with its Mediterranean pastel-coloured facades, its columns, baroque balustrades and campanile. The surrounding park, which has subtropical plants thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, adds to the illusion. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2393] 'Gardens of Portmeiron, Snowdonia.' The gardens of fantasy village Portmeiron are very lush, thanks to the warm Gulf Stream. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2393] 'Gardens of Portmeiron, Snowdonia.' The gardens of fantasy village Portmeiron are very lush, thanks to the warm Gulf Stream. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2401] 'Conwy Bay.' Sheep overlooking the Comwy Bay between Snowdonia and Anglesey island. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2401] 'Conwy Bay.' Sheep overlooking the Comwy Bay between Snowdonia and Anglesey island. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2409] 'At the pier of Llandudno.' In Llandudno a pier stretches into the sea, with a Victorian air of stately elegance. It's tip, not visible in the picture, is furnished with typical English amusement, where the sound of video arcades mingles with the breaking waves. It attracts lots of families with children. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2409] 'At the pier of Llandudno.' In Llandudno a pier stretches into the sea, with a Victorian air of stately elegance. It's tip, not visible in the picture, is furnished with typical English amusement, where the sound of video arcades mingles with the breaking waves. It attracts lots of families with children. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2413] 'Guard at Llandudno.' Man looking after homeless people in seaside resort Llandudno. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2413] 'Guard at Llandudno.' Man looking after homeless people in seaside resort Llandudno. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2415] 'Bodnant Garden.' In Bodnant Garden, Conwy Valley, Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2415] 'Bodnant Garden.' In Bodnant Garden, Conwy Valley, Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2423] 'Hiking near Minffordd.' Start of the hike up the Cadair Idris, near Minffordd, Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2423] 'Hiking near Minffordd.' Start of the hike up the Cadair Idris, near Minffordd, Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2426] 'Sleeping on heather.' Having a siesta on a heather bed during the hike to Cadair Idris. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2426] 'Sleeping on heather.' Having a siesta on a heather bed during the hike to Cadair Idris. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2430] 'Llyn Cau lake.' Overlooking Llyn Cau near Cadair Idris in Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2430] 'Llyn Cau lake.' Overlooking Llyn Cau near Cadair Idris in Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2434] 'Llyn Gwynant.' Llyn Gwynant in the Nantgwynant valley, Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2434] 'Llyn Gwynant.' Llyn Gwynant in the Nantgwynant valley, Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2443] 'Llyn Ogwen.' The Aton Denau flows into Llyn Ogwen, one of the famous natural sites of Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2443] 'Llyn Ogwen.' The Aton Denau flows into Llyn Ogwen, one of the famous natural sites of Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2456] 'Wool from Wales.' In Snowdonia, famous for its many sheep, you can buy great woollen clothes and other products. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2456] 'Wool from Wales.' In Snowdonia, famous for its many sheep, you can buy great woollen clothes and other products. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2380] 'Harlech Beach, Snowdonia.' The curve in the extremely wide Harlech Beach looks glorious. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2380] 'Harlech Beach, Snowdonia.' The curve in the extremely wide Harlech Beach looks glorious. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2391] 'Gardens of Portmeiron, Snowdonia.' From a distance Portmeiron looks like a normal village, albeit in an unusually picturesque location. Not until you’re walking around in it can you believe that this is the folly of an eccentric: the English industrial Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. More than anything, the little town exudes an Italian atmosphere with its Mediterranean pastel-coloured facades, its columns, baroque balustrades and campanile. The surrounding park, which has subtropical plants thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, adds to the illusion. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2391] 'Gardens of Portmeiron, Snowdonia.' From a distance Portmeiron looks like a normal village, albeit in an unusually picturesque location. Not until you’re walking around in it can you believe that this is the folly of an eccentric: the English industrial Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. More than anything, the little town exudes an Italian atmosphere with its Mediterranean pastel-coloured facades, its columns, baroque balustrades and campanile. The surrounding park, which has subtropical plants thanks to the warm Gulf Stream, adds to the illusion. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2394] 'Pier of Bangor.' The elegant Victorian pier of Bangor seems to stretch all the way to the island of Anglesey. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2394] 'Pier of Bangor.' The elegant Victorian pier of Bangor seems to stretch all the way to the island of Anglesey. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2402] 'Conwy Bay.' During low tide the colourful fishing boats are lying on their sides in the harbour of Conwy, when the water returns the harbour too returns to life, thanks to the pleasure boats. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2402] 'Conwy Bay.' During low tide the colourful fishing boats are lying on their sides in the harbour of Conwy, when the water returns the harbour too returns to life, thanks to the pleasure boats. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2412] 'At the pier of Llandudno.' In Llandudno a pier stretches into the sea, with a Victorian air of stately elegance. It's tip, not visible in the picture, is furnished with typical English amusement, where the sound of video arcades mingles with the breaking waves and seagulls skilfully fish out the remains of fish and chips. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2412] 'At the pier of Llandudno.' In Llandudno a pier stretches into the sea, with a Victorian air of stately elegance. It's tip, not visible in the picture, is furnished with typical English amusement, where the sound of video arcades mingles with the breaking waves and seagulls skilfully fish out the remains of fish and chips. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2413] 'Bodnant Garden.' In Bodnant Garden, Conwy Valley, Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2413] 'Bodnant Garden.' In Bodnant Garden, Conwy Valley, Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2417] 'Bodnant Garden.' Waterlillies in Bodnant Garden, Conwy Valley, Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2417] 'Bodnant Garden.' Waterlillies in Bodnant Garden, Conwy Valley, Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2425] 'Olga.' Olga enjoying the outdoors. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2425] 'Olga.' Olga enjoying the outdoors. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2427] 'Siesta on heather.' Having a siesta on a heather bed during the hike to Cadair Idris. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2427] 'Siesta on heather.' Having a siesta on a heather bed during the hike to Cadair Idris. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2433] 'Llyn Gwynant.' Llyn Gwynant in the Nantgwynant valley, Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2433] 'Llyn Gwynant.' Llyn Gwynant in the Nantgwynant valley, Snowdonia. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2434] 'Hotel Pen-y-Gwyrd.' We seek shelter in the Pen-y-Gwryd hotel, the most famous mountaineers hotel in Wales, lying at the foot of the Glyders. It served as the training base for Sir Edmund Hillary’s Everest team. The interior consists of alcoves, finished in wood. The weathered climbing shoes of famous mountaineers hang on the ceiling. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2434] 'Hotel Pen-y-Gwyrd.' We seek shelter in the Pen-y-Gwryd hotel, the most famous mountaineers hotel in Wales, lying at the foot of the Glyders. It served as the training base for Sir Edmund Hillary’s Everest team. The interior consists of alcoves, finished in wood. The weathered climbing shoes of famous mountaineers hang on the ceiling. Photo Paul Smit.

  • [BRITAIN.WALES 2445] 'Llyn Ogwen.' Llyn Mymbyr with the Snowdon horseshoe in the distance. Photo Paul Smit.

    [BRITAIN.WALES 2445] 'Llyn Ogwen.' Llyn Mymbyr with the Snowdon horseshoe in the distance. Photo Paul Smit.

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