Audlem Ramblers Walk 22nd April

Audlem Rambling Society (ARS) has recently introduced a new category of 'Hard' walks and the first of these is being led by Karen Mason; her description follows. Anyone interested in going is asked to contact her on the mobile number at the foot of the description:-

Y Garn via Devil's Kitchen April 22nd 2023

To kick off the new category of hard walks, we have a 4-miler which may be the shortest walk ever recorded in the ARS programme, but it is up one of Snowdonia's 3000ft peaks.

We begin at the visitor centre at Idwal Cottage in the Ogwen Valley. We follow a stone path to Llyn/Lake Idwal, overlooked by several of Wales's 3000ft+ peaks including Tryfan, Glyder Fach and Fawr, Pen yr Ole Wen and Y Garn. We follow the lakeside path to the Idwal slabs, where rock climbers practice their skills, and begin our gradual ascent towards Devil's Kitchen. The climb up Devil's Kitchen is strenuous and involves some short scrambles but is not exposed. After two hours we'll reach the ridge and Llyn y Cwn where we'll stop for coffee. We then have a further hour-long steep ascent to reach the summit of Y Garn where the views across to the Glyderau, Tryfan, Carneddau, Crib Goch with Snowdon beyond, are stunning on a clear day. We'll have lunch on the summit before descending towards the shores of Llyn Idwal for our return route. The descent over loose scree is very steep at first but eases after a while.

4 miles 4-5 hrs. Total ascent 641m/2128ft. Max elevation: 947m/3106ft.

There are just 2 stiles (one a ladder stile). Dogs appeared to be managing the climb up Devil's Kitchen with no problems.

Parking is a problem in the Ogwen Valley. There is limited parking at the visitor centre at Idwal Cottage LL57 3LZ and several further parking areas along the A5 in the direction of Capel Curig, but these fill quickly. There is also the option of parking in Bethesda and taking the new shuttle bus to the start of the walk. Buses run every 30mins and the journey takes 8mins. I have details about parking in Bethesda and where to catch the bus which I'll forward to those planning to come. In order to allow time for parking/waiting for the bus, I suggest we leave Audlem at 7.30am.

Please text me know if you are coming so we have an idea of the number of cars. If you're planning to meet us at the start of the walk, please let me know beforehand. My mob is: 07711231732.