The Cambrian Way
Classic Wales mountain trek - south to north from Cardiff to Conwy
The Cambrian Way
Classic Wales mountain trek - south to north from Cardiff to Conwy
Guidebook to the Cambrian Way, a challenging three-week mountain trek through Wales from Cardiff to Conwy. The 470km route is presented from south to north. Often sticking to long, beautiful ridgelines, it crosses wild and rugged terrain and visits many of Wales's highest mountains, including Snowdon.Dubbed 'the mountain connoisseurs' walk', the Cambrian Way stretches 479km between the mighty castles of Cardiff in the south and Conwy on the north coast. Traversing the heartland of Wales, the challenging route crosses the Brecon Beacons, the Cambrian Mountains and Snowdonia, passing through two national parks and visiting many of the country's iconic summits, including Pen y Fan, Pumlumon, Cadair Idris and Snowdon itself. It can be walked in three weeks (or in shorter sections) and is suitable for experienced hillwalkers with sound navigational skills.
The guide presents the route in 21 stages, offering comprehensive route description illustrated with OS 1:50,000 mapping and elevation profiles. Details of accommodation and facilities are provided, along with a helpful trek planner showing their distribution along the route: although the trail passes through remote areas, it is possible to stay under a roof every night - though camping is also a possibility, should you prefer. There are background notes on Wales's history and geology and local points of interest, and a glossary of Welsh place-names, useful contacts and accommodation listings can be found in the appendices.
From the Black Mountains to the Rhinogau, Glyderau and Carneddau, the route takes in lofty ridges, striking peaks and picturesque lakes. There are also fascinating glimpses into the country's ancient and more recent past: Iron Age hillforts, Norman castles, a Cistercian abbey, the Chartist Cave and relics from the mining industry. Offering superlative scenery, the Cambrian Way is a celebration of some of the best mountain walking Wales has to offer and promises a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in these celebrated landscapes.
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
ISBN
9781852849900
Availability
Published
Published
11 Jul 2019
Reprinted
2 Nov 2021
Edition
First
Pages
264
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.50cm
Weight
310g
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device.
Map key
Overview map
Route summary table
Introduction
The mountain connoisseurs' walk
Wales, its history, people and language
Geology and landscape
Plants and animals
When to go
Travel
Accommodation
Kit
Waymarking and navigation
Food, water and supplies
Emergencies
Using this guide
The route
Stage 1 Cardiff to Machen
Stage 2 Machen to Pontypool
Stage 3 Pontypool to Abergavenny
Stage 4 Abergavenny to Capel-y-ffin
Stage 5 Capel-y-ffin to Crickhowell
Stage 6 Crickhowell to Storey Arms
Stage 7 Storey Arms to Glyntawe
Stage 8 Glyntawe to Llandovery
Stage 9 Llandovery to Tŷ’n-y-cornel Hostel
Stage 10 Tŷ’n-y-cornel Hostel to Claerddu
Stage 11 Claerddu to Ponterwyd
Stage 12 Ponterwyd to Dylife
Stage 13 Dylife to Dinas Mawddwy
Stage 14 Dinas Mawddwy to Bwlch Llyn Bach
Stage 15 Bwlch Llyn Bach to Barmouth
Stage 16 Barmouth to Cwm Bychan
Stage 16/17A Bad-weather route to Moelfryn following Taith Ardudwy Way
Stage 17 Cwm Bychan to Maentwrog
Stage 18 Maentwrog to Beddgelert
Stage 19 Beddgelert to Pen-y-Pass
Stage 20 Pen-y-Pass to Llyn Ogwen
Stage 21 Llyn Ogwen to Conwy
Appendix A The checkpoints
Appendix B Glossary of Welsh words and places on the Cambrian Way
Appendix C Useful contacts
Appendix D Accommodation list
Seasons
The southern and middle sections should be possible in all seasons but the Rhinog mountains and Snowdonia are best tackled between spring and autumn.
Centres
Cardiff, Pontypool, Abergavenny, Crickhowell, Llandovery, Strata Florida, Devil's Bridge, Ponterwyd, Dinas Mawddwy, Barmouth, Beddgelert, Pen-y-Pass, Ogwen, Conwy
Difficulty
Suitable for those with experience of long-distance walking (either with or without camping equipment), the route demands a good level of fitness and navigational competence.
Must See
Cardiff, capital of Wales, and its castle; the Black Mountains; the Brecon Beacons; the Carmarthen Vans; the Elenydd wilderness; Devil's Bridge and Rheidol Falls; Pumlumon; Cadair Idris; Barmouth; Rhinog Fawr and Rhinog Fach; Beddgelert; Snowdon; the Glyders; Ogwen Valley; Tryfan; the Carneddau; Conwy and its castle
April 2022
Error on page 146
"...by heading NNW for 300 metres, then going W along the hillside..."
should read: '...NNE for 300 metres and E along the hillside...'
July 2021
2021 reprint updates
990 Reprint 2021 (1.594 MB)
January 2020
Stage 13 gpx file
“A minor error has been spotted in the GPX file and O.S. Map file for Stage 13 just after the start of the stage in Dylife. The text of the Cicerone guide is correct about taking a sharp left turn from the road just past the Star Inn. However, the GPX file showed taking a footpath just before the Star Inn. This makes very little difference as it leads to the same place after only 50 metres, but to avoid the any confusion a new GPX file: CWStage13GPSRevC2.gpx For anyone who has already downloaded them, it may not be worth downloading the new ones so long as this has been noted.”
“A Cambrian Way Trail Marker has now been placed at the correct turning from the road thanks to Oliver Wicks and helpers from Ramblers Cymru who have now completed the Trail Marking in Powys.”
October 2019
Stage 14 Route near Cribin Fawr Clarification
A walker has reported difficulty finding the correct route near Cribin Fawr between Craig Portas and Waun-oer. Although the description is correct, if you are walking without 1:25,000 or GPS it may not be clear about where the fence is crossed and which way to go having crossed it, as boundary fences are not shown on the 1:50,000 maps in this guide. His problem was that he didn't swing round to the left before meeting the fence and was confused when the fence was a different one from the one he had been following earlier. He then turned back and attempted to go via the forest but had to go further down the hillside to get around the trees and then reached dangerously steep slopes in places making it very difficult.
Page 167 -2nd paragraph 2nd line. Amend to :
“cross to the N of the fence which runs downhill approximately westwards.”
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