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- Nant Gwynant and the immediate vicinity
Ysgubor Bwlch
Farm track
Café, Public Phone Box & entrance to Hafod y Llan farm track on A498, Nant Gwynant - September 2023
- This Barn User Guide is currently being revised and edited for final uploading after the renovations have finished. This version is largely accurate but is NOT THE FINAL VERSION . It does give an idea of the current facilities. For an update email info@ysguborbwlch.co.uk
Ysgubor Bwlch, Nant Gwynant, Snowdonia, North Wales
Ysgubor Bwlch (meaning ‘the Granary in the Pass’) is a privately run bunkhouse, leased from the National Trust, on the eastern slopes of Snowdon, the tallest mountain in Wales.
This small barn sleeps up to 13 people, in two areas, in simple alpine hut style accommodation, with shared platform bed dormitories, an equipped kitchen, two small washrooms, a snug lounge, and chemical toilets.
The building is quietly situated on a farm estate owned by The National Trust, and can be accessed via a stone track suitable for normal cars.
TO BE CLEAR, THIS BUILDING IS NOT A HOLIDAY LET, BUT A FACILITY SHARED AND RUN BY A COMMUNITY OF LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS. ANYONE IS WELCOME TO JOIN A BARNSTORMERS WEEKEND, SO AS TO GET TO KNOW THE GROUP AND BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE BUILDING AND ITS QUIRKS AND FACILITIES. AFTER AN INITIAL BARNSTORMERS WEEKEND or other visit where they have become familiar with the facilities, THEY MAY WISH TO JOIN THE GROUP ON FURTHER WEEKENDS, OR HIRE THE BARN FOR THEIR OWN PURPOSES.
they are most welcome to do so.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE drop in for a chat as you walk by, or CONTACT
INFO@YSGUBORBWLCH.CO.UK
FACILITIES - WHAT IT'S GOT
Mains electricity for the heating, lights and cooking, phone charging etc.
Landline phone 01766 - 890596. Please chip in with a contribution to the bill if you use it. There is no mobile phone reception at Ysgubor Bwlch. We are currently investigating the possibility of WiFi.
Heating is via electric heaters – do not leave any of these operating unattended.
The Entrance Lobby and Lounge have been completely overhauled recently
Kitchen, fully equipped and provides: a normal electric domestic cooker with oven; toaster; microwave; kettle, large water heating urn; plentiful pans/crockery/cutlery/mugs/glasses/utensils; two fridges; and kitchen sink.
Cleaning equipment, washing up liquid and the like are available in the cupboard under the urns.
There are plenty of clean back-up hand towels and tea-towels in a box on a shelf in the kitchen. You should aim to bring your own and take them away with you. If you use the back up towels, either take them home and launder them and return them via post to John Marston, or leave them in a sealed black plastic bag on a seat in the lounge.
Tea and coffee are normally provided, on the shelf above the kettle; these are available for all to use. Please let us know if supplies are getting low. Obviously you will need milk if you use it.
Comfortable sleeping arrangements. All beds have thick foam mattresses with cotton covers – there are additional blankets to cover them in the box in the loft, if needed. Please bring your own bedding and pillows to go on top. The Loft dormitory upstairs sleeps up to 5 comfortably
Two Washrooms downstairs. These are simple sinks with water to rinse, hand-fed from a container in the cupboards below the sinks. Hot water should be obtained from the urn in the kitchen, using one of the jugs there
Baker's Bunkroom is a separate room on the end of the barn and provides sleeping for up to 6 comfortably, on 2 large bunk platforms.
Toilet Facilities. There are two toilets in separate rooms at the end of the building. One is a caravan style 'flushing' cassette loo with a battery operated small flushing system. The other is a traditional portaloo bucket with a lid. Both need to be emptied into the cesspit, located via a gap in the wall at the top of the paddock, which leads to a gate at the entrance to the wooden cover over the cesspit. Once the container has been emptied it needs to be cleaned thoroughly, and primed again before being put back into the toilet room. Cleaning materials are in the store room between the toilets. If in doubt as to procedure, please ask a Committee member for details.
Tents The lease does permit a small number of tents in the paddock. If you are contemplating more than four, please negotiate with us in advance. Too many people can put an undue and potentially unmanageable strain on the facilities
Vehicle access. The barn is accessible by car via a stone track, through the farm Hafod y Llan. Please close gates behind you if you open them. You can park in the field right next to the barn, adjacent to the shuttered window. Do not block any gates or tracks. The field can be soft during wet months: if you get stuck the rubber link mats by the Barn door may get you going (please wash mud off mats after use).
Private outdoor space. The paddock surrounding the barn on the North (door) side is part of the premises. It is enclosed but there are squeeze stiles so it won’t keep in unsupervised dogs or small children, or keep out the sheep. Please keep the gates fastened and closed to keep out cows or horses, sometimes loose in the area.
What it’s NOT got...
Mains water – Unfortunately there is no realistic way to install a permanent water supply, so please plan ahead:
Drinking water: Bring tap water from home preferably (or supermarket table water) for drinking, making tea/coffee, brushing teeth etc. Please use nothing but drinking water in the kettle.
Washing water: Washing water can be collected from the rain barrels at both ends of the building using the white plastic 25 litre containers. This water is obviously not sterile: before using, boil it in the urn at the kitchen sink – this needs doing each time water is added to the urn.
Please keep Drinking and Washing water separate.
Internet connection, WiFi or mobile phone signal. ( We are investigating the installation of the internet in the summer of 2022. Details to follow ) There is no mobile signal anywhere in the vicinity of the Barn, but it’s usually available on the mountain tops if you plan to be up there, and at the nearby villages of Beddgelert and Capel Curig. There is a public phone box 1 mile from the Barn where you turn onto the Hafod y Llan farm track from the A498 main road. Fifty metres from the phone box the Gwynant Caffi/Cafe has WiFi for customers (and a log burner and excellent food). These locations are shown on the aerial photo that precedes this description
Refuse collection.
YOU MUST take away all your refuse at the end of your stay.
DO NOT LEAVE rubbish at the Hafod y Llan campsite.
Mains drainage. The kitchen and washrooms drain to a soakaway, please do not pour fat/oil or anything noxious down the sinks and make sure the last thing to go down the sinks before you leave is plain, preferably hot, water. The chemical toilets must be emptied into the cess pit (accessed through the stile with steps next to the telegraph pole).
Postal service. There is no mail delivery service to the property; don’t send items there by post/courier etc.
HOW TO GET THERE
Head for Snowdonia National Park. People travelling from the Midlands usually reach the area using the A5 via Betws y Coed, from where it is about 14 miles to Nant Gwynant.
Sat Nav advice
Post codes: No post code gets you all the way to Ysgubor Bwlch, but the following will get you nearby –finish the journey using the non-sat nav directions which follow.
LL55 4NP: This is the most reliable as it is dedicated to the Bryn Gwynant Youth Hostel (see map earlier). From there, stay on the A498 for 1 mile southwards to the Watkin Path Car Park and turn onto the Hafod y Llan Campsite farm track opposite.
LL55 4NQ: This is the campsite at Hafod y Llan farm, and should get you onto the farm track to Ysgubor Bwlch. But beware - the end point may be in the crags on the hillside! Ignore it once on the farm track.
LL55 4NW: This is the post code for Ysgubor Bwlch, but again it may send you to a point a considerable distance away and not on any kind of road.
Some sat navs spell the name as Nant Gwynant, and some use Nantgwynant (as do the road signs).
Sat nav won’t accept any destinations? Some treat Wales as a separate country, you may need to specify.
The non-sat nav instructions below will get you to the door.
Directions which don’t rely on Sat Nav at all
From Betws y Coed continue North on the A5 towards Holyhead.
5 miles after Betws, in the elongated village of Capel Curig, take the A4086 (left, towards Beddgelert) at the Joe Brown shop. Half a mile after the junction, pass the Plas y Brenin outdoor pursuits centre.
4 miles later at the isolated Pen y Gwryd Hotel, drive straight on, heading downhill for Beddgelert (the road number becomes the A498 although you don’t appear to turn off). DO NOT TURN RIGHT AT THE JUNCTION (uphill) towards Pen y Pass.
Continue down the winding pass to a lake on the right, (Llyn Gwynant), past the Bryn Gwynant Youth Hostel on your left, and past the Nantgwynant village sign, (the settlement is sparsely scattered along the road).
About 1⁄2 mile after the village sign, pass the tarmac Pay- and-Display Watkin Path Car Park on the left of the road and get ready to turn off
Directly after the car park the road bends left across an indistinct modern bridge: TURN RIGHT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS BRIDGE into the tarmac farm road. The entrance is not very obvious but is near a brown sign for the Hafod y Llan campsite in season. There is a signpost towards The National Trust campsite at Hafod y Llan
If you reach the phone box / Gwynant Cafe (old chapel) and a long lay-by, you have gone too far.
As soon as you turn right the farm road bends sharply right over a cattle grid, which has a gate in front of it. Leave the gate as you find it, either open or closed
Stay on the tarmac farm road for about 3⁄4 mile, past the cattle grid, and passing several buildings to reach the main farm yard area
From here, close any gates you have to open. Follow the road into a stony yard overlooked by the farm house, and bear left through a gate, into another stony yard which is the campsite car park. Following the stone wall on your right, go over a gated vehicle bridge across the river. Ignore the bridge on the left leading to a large wooden shed; this is the hydro-electric station.
After the bridge follow the obvious stone track for about 3⁄4 mile, passing through 3 field walls, and you will see the barn straight ahead of you. Park off the track in the field on the left, just before you reach the barn
The shutter window is handy for unloading kit into the building so leave space for access. If unloading in the dark, the switch to the field light is by the window, above and to the left of the heater
Park here, close to the barn. Don’t block the track or gates
The keys to the doors, or their location, will have been made available to you
What you need to bring – the essentials which aren’t provided
Torch if you arrive in darkness there will be no lights until you switch on the power
Bedding a sleeping bag (or duvet and a sheet), pillow and pillowcase
Slippers or similar for indoors (no outdoor footwear in the barn please)
Personal towel (kitchen hand towels / tea towels provided)
Toilet rolls (normally provided but it makes sense to ‘be prepared’ !)
Drinking water
Food, milk, evening refreshments Tea bags and instant coffee are usually provided
Wellies can be useful if the weather has been wet
WHEN YOU ARRIVE AND WHILE YOU STAY
Electricity: the mains power will be off when you arrive. As you enter there is a cream-coloured metal fuse box to the right. Raise the cream fuse box cover and then flip up the green switches on the left in the fuse box . This will turn on the power . Do not touch the red switches on the right .
There are also two light switches by the fuse box, one for the lobby and one for exterior lamps at the toilets.
The lamp to illuminate unloading of your vehicles is situated by the window in the lounge.
Doormats: there are rubber link mats on the stone table outside – please sweep away any sheep ’debris’ and place the mats at the doorways until you go.
Window shutters: open the window from inside, unbolt the shutters and fasten against the wall.
Water: There are various 25 litre plastic containers: ignore any labels, all are for Washing water.
These are for storage or to serve the kitchen sink pump taps which require a part-filled water container. The washroom sink-taps work from smaller containers situated in the sink cabinet. These containers should be filled from the butts outside.
Drinking water – bring tap water or supermarket table water with you.
Fill the Washing containers from the rainwater barrels outside: you can heat a large
quantity in the kitchen urn over the sink (set control to 7). Please switch off the urn once up to temperature, or the barn walls will run with condensation.
There are various jugs so you can take hot water to the washrooms when required
HEATING There are various forms of heating available.
The warm air fan above the lobby window is operated from the wall by a switch marked 'heater'
The Dyson vertical heater is controlled by a remote control device which hangs in a pocket lanyard. It is small and sophisticated (!), and easy to misplace. Keep it in the lanyard. A replacement control will cost you £30. Worth reading the instructions, Temperature can be varied up to 38 degrees, it can rotate, do wide or narrow angle blast, up or down blasts etc. A wonder of modern technology...!
The wall heaters need to be switched on and set to Manual. Then select your temperature. The Instruction Manual is on the shelf
The mobile heater is plug and play
Blankets: please use the blankets (in a box in the loft) to cover the mattresses for comfort, then your own bedding over the blanket to protect it.
Toilets: the chemical loos should be ready for use but need to be unlocked (star key, hanging in the porch). When they need emptying, follow the overhead power line uphill to the cess pit in the fenced square just past the wall. Biodegradable stuff only, please. Cleaning equipment and sanitary fluid are kept in the store between the Dynion / Gents and Merched / Ladies: the yellow bucket in the centre store is for cleaning the loos, mix some disinfectant and water. TWO types of loo may be encountered:
A caravan-type flushing cassette loo. These have specific instructions displayed inside the store door, please follow them carefully. They can be affected by frozen batteries in winter.
A simpler non-flush loo. Once cleaned, recharge the loo ‘bucket’ insert with enough blue fluid to just cover the dimple in the base, add a couple of litres of water, and reassemble into the base unit.
Please report any problems or if supplies are getting low
Heating: Heating is via electric heaters only. DO NOT LEAVE HEATERS OPERATING UNATTENDED, UNPLUG and/ or TURN OFF OVERNIGHT.
There is a heated drying airer in the washrooms, if you have damp items which need airing. Please use carefully and replace in box after use
Kitchen: The fridges will have been left propped open to prevent mould forming inside. Inevitably there is the potential for mice to visit; if there’s any evidence, there are disinfectant products in the sink cupboard to clean the fridges and worktops (and there are traps above the corridor doorway). Please spray all kitchen surfaces with the peppermint spray before you depart as this helps to deter any mice. Use the lidded food storage tubs on the shelf, and do not leave food accessible. One box contains bin bags, cling film, foil, kitchen roll, etc – don’t leave these in the drawer, mice love to shred them.
First Aid: there is a First Aid Kit container in one of the wash rooms. Please replace anything significant you use or let someone know it needs restocking. A portable First Aid Kit hangs in the lounge. Take it with you if walking on the hill, but remember to bring it back and hang it up afterwards!
The First Aid Cabinet in the lounge area contains malt whisky and chocolate. This is for residents and guests to consume in the evening after a day on the hill. Toasts should be drunk at the end of each day ( unlike the residents ) to the memory of The Captain, in whose memory the Cabinet is kept stocked. Supplementary chocolate supplies are in the Scout tin. Help yourself - it's what he would have wanted...
Refuse and recycling: please plan to recycle at home. You may find facilities in the area, but the items accepted and availability of recycling points changes over time so there is no reliable solution. Please take all your rubbish home. Do not leave any refuse at the Campsite, you are not one of their customers. Bin bags are in the plastic box on the shelf.
Other hints and tips
Outdoor footwear: Wellies are handy if it has been wet, walking boots ideal for the area.
Indoor footwear: No outdoor shoes/boots beyond the porch entrance, please. Bring some slippers.
Cooker: All electric hob with grill and single oven. Also a microwave oven and a toaster.
Landline phone: Please make a contribution to cover the cost of your calls. The phone will still work if there is a power cut. The answering machine function does not operate.
Mice: a possibility, especially over the winter. Use antibacterial products on the worktops and fridges (supplies in the cupboard under the water urn). Keep all your food enclosed in the plastic storage boxes or fridges. Keep cling film, rolls of bin liners, kitchen roll, etc in the clear plastic box above the toaster. If you have definite visitors, you will find traps on the ledge above the kitchen corridor doorway, recommend raisins or chocolate. As a final deterrent, immediately before final departure please spray all kitchen surfaces with the peppermint spray provided. This has proved effective in the past, as long as departing visitors remember to spray it around kitchen floor and surfaces.
Emergency repairs: if you find you need to fix something and have the skills required, you might find what you need in the store between the toilets, or in the toolbox under the stairs near the washrooms. Let us know about it if something needs sorting out.
Towels, bedding, etc: Tea towels and hand towels are available if you forget, and there will be tea and coffee. Please plan to be self-sufficient. But if you run out, use what you find and replace if possible or let us know what needs stocking up. There are loads of tea towels in a box on the shelf in the kitchen and under the sink in one of the washrooms; please wash and return if possible or leave the dirties in a sealed black bin-bag in the lounge and let someone know they’re there.
Power cuts: hopefully not likely, but there are candles in the kitchen, matches and lighters on the shelf above the microwave. Don’t leave candles unattended.
Public telephone: You won’t get a mobile signal anywhere near the Gwynant valley. There is the barn landline if you need it, please leave something to pay for your calls. The nearest public phone box is 1 mile from the Barn where the Hafod y Llan farm track meets the A498 main road, near the Watkyn Path car park and the Caffi Gwynant Café.
Fires: NO FIRES ON THE GROUND! If you feel like a fire or barbecue, try our patented BarrowBeQue - a wheelbarrow with holes punched in the base. Put it on the slate table or the grass will get burnt. PROTECT THE TYRE FROM HEAT WITH A COUPLE OF SLATES OR IT MAY EXPLODE. There is a fitted griddle top next to the end store, leaning on the wall. Bring your own charcoal. Do not cut down any trees or branches.
BARN LOG BOOK: ( USUALLY ON KITCHEN HATCH, OR ON SHELF ABOVE HATCH )
An entry would be much appreciated. U-certificate please, as kids read it too. It’s a brown A5 book on the lounge shelf and there is some other reading material there too. It is also possible to post photos of your trip on the Barn website. Send copies to info@ysguborbwlch.co.uk and we will post them as soon as possible
FEES:
Bank Account : HSBC 40 - 15 - 07
Account Name : Ysgubor Bwlch
Account Number : 52104989
Adults £17.50 per person per night Children of Secondarty School age £10 Primary age and under No charge. Heating/power etc included, contribution for landline phone calls appreciated.
IMPORTANT DEPARTURE CHECKS
When you depart
Cleaning: vacuum all the floors, wash/dry/return any kitchen equipment, clean the washrooms, return any blankets to the chest, etc. Clean the boot rack and porch mat.
Fridges: clean internally, then prop open the doors using the salad drawers to prevent mould growing inside. Roll up the kitchen mat and store in the washroom so it doesn’t get wet from the defrosting fridge.
Refuse: please take all rubbish away, there is no collection from the barn. Do not take your refuse to the Campsite or farm.
Toilets: empty the toilet receptacles at the cess pit (through the paddock wall at the steps with a hand rail), clean everything with disinfectant (equipment in the store between the toilets), add blue fluid to just cover the dimple in the base of the bucket and reinstall ready for use.
Water: make sure anything poured down the sink last minute (milk etc.) is washed through. Drain off any water in the urns, kettle or water containers indoors. If water butts have run dry, make sure the taps are all closed so rainwater is retained for the next visitors.
Windows and doors: check the loft window is closed and properly latched (IMPORTANT). Lock the shutters and the snug window from inside and close the curtains. Lock the bunkhouse, toilets and store, returning their keys to the hooks in the porch.
Electrics: Switch off the mains power using ONLY the two switches indicated (left-hand end) in the fuse box.
Final lock-up: check for coats left behind the doors! Lock the main door and return the keys to the place you found them on arrival. Stack the rubber doormats on the stone table opposite the door.
MEDICAL – for EMERGENCIES call 999
Your location is ... Ysgubor Bwlch ...on the farm of ... Hafod y Llan...in the village of ... Nant Gwynant
Barn landline number 01766890596
Ysgubor Bwlch, Hafod y Llan, Nant Gwynant LL55 4NW, 01766 - 890596
pronounced
“Iskubbor Bulk” “Haffod ih Clan” “Nant Gwinnant”
For less serious events there is a Minor Injuries Unit about 12 miles from Nant Gwynant at
Ysbyty* Alltwen (NHS Wales) *ysbyty is Welsh for ‘hospital’ Tremadog
Gwynedd
LL49 9AQ Tel 03000 850027
Follow the A498 south to Beddgelert, turn left over the bridge and continue on A498 through Tremadog, the hospital is about 1 mile past the village where the A498 meets the A487.
Local amenities and some places nearby
The Clapper Bridge, 20m from the barn gate. The public footpath from Ysgubor Bwlch across this bridge goes to the A498 road and the bus stop. This clapper bridge is the longest and oldest still in use in the Snowdonia National Park
Nantgwynant - the small village has limited facilities but includes the Gwynant Cafe, open 9am-4pm Wed-Sun (20 mins walk along river path). Very good home cooked meals, baking and snacks using local produce, served in a converted former chapel. Internet access and WiFi available for customers. Evening meals may be possible by arrangement for larger groups (12+ ?), and there are occasional Film And Food nights (book your place). Licensed to sell alcohol with meals. NB - closed all of Dec / Jan.
Beddgelert (4 miles south on A498 or walk there via a path on the opposite bank of Llyn Dinas) has a small village shop/post office, tea rooms, B&Bs, and a choice of pubs – the Tanronnen Hotel is recommended and serves a choice of good home cooked meals. The Pizzeria is also very good, serving home- made pizzas and award-winning ice creams, but check opening as it closes over the winter.
Sygun Copper Mine is an interesting visitor attraction, taking you into a Victorian mine and through various levels of the old workings inside the hill.
Welsh Highland Railway runs narrow-gauge steam trains through Beddgelert from Portmadoc to Caernarvon
Llyn Dinas, between Nantgwynant and Beddgelert
Aberglaslyn Pass beyond Beddgelert, on the road to Porthmadog
Capel Curig (7 miles north via A498) has a number of cafes, an outdoor gear shop, and a choice of pubs including the Bryn Twrch and the Tyn y Coed which usually have a good menu and selection of local beers. The old petrol station is now Siabod Café featuring the largest scones you’ve ever seen, and regular winner of awards for its food, drinks and welcoming atmosphere
Tryfan, Ogwen Valley near Capel Curig
Welsh mountain goats, often seen in the Gwynant valley and across Snowdonia
Betws y Coed (about 15 miles, go to Capel Curig and turn right/east) is a picturesque village popular with day trippers. Lots of outdoor gear shops, souvenir shops, bike hire, a bakery/grocery shop, Fish and chip shop, and a choice of cafes and pubs. The Stables Bar behind The Royal Oak serves good meals and beers but can be very busy and you may be exposed to a Welsh male voice choir. Betws is the nearest place to the barn with a bank/cash point, train station, or petrol station. Various grades of mountain biking trails above the village on both sides of the river
Portmadoc / Porthmadog (about 20 miles, go to Beddgelert and turn left over the bridge) is a small town with a range of the usual high street shops and a couple of supermarkets. All the functional stuff: cash points/banks and petrol station available here, there was a small cinema but check it’s still on the go.
Bangor (about 20 miles, go to Capel Curig and take the A5 west towards Holyhead). Large university town with all the superstores you’d expect, cinema and a Hospital A&E
Caernarvon (about 30 miles, go to Beddgelert and turn right before the bridge). Historic coastal town with large castle and potential for pottering around. Accessible on the Welsh Highland Railway steam train from Beddgelert.
Nantlle Ridge, south west of Beddgelert
Anglesey (about 25 miles, go to Capel Curig and take the A5 west towards Holyhead). Large and varied island with numerous visitor attractions. Often better weather when it’s grim in the mountains
Looking back to Snowdonia from south Anglesey
Lighthouse, north Anglesey coast
Castle of the Winds, Glyders Ridge, Ogwen valley
Crib Goch, a challenging route of ascent to Snowdon
Some suggestions for moderate walks from the Barn, suitable for kids
Look on the OS map, you’ll soon pick these routes out.
Watkin Path: (About 5-7km assuming you stay in the corrie).
Path goes to the summit of Snowdon if you want, but it’s simple to loop back on yourself in an enclosed valley called Cwm Llan (“coom clan”), before the going gets too tough for tots.
From the Barn, via the farm called Hafod y Llan: at the Barn gate next to the twin rain barrels, turn right up the hill, parallel to the barn wall. Follow the “Star Trek Badge” path markers along a disused green lane which bears left under the woods on the hillside.
Or easier route finding to the farm: follow the stony track to the farm.
Both routes: After the bridge at the farm of Hafod y Llan, in the parking area before the old farm house, turn right past a wood store and cut uphill through the campsite and through a gate with a set of metal steps in the top wall. A path follows the stream for about 400m to join the very well established Watkyn Path. Follow the wide path up past some large waterfalls (if the weather is hot, you can cross the river here via a narrow slate bridge – small kids need supervision here – to reach some sunny plunge pools where the braver souls can paddle or swim). Carry on up the Watkyn path into the corrie explore the landscape and the old quarry workings at the head of the valley.
If you fancy the summit of Snowdon, remember it’s a significant prospect and the weather can change quickly. None of the paths are easy or without some need for care.
From Cwm Llan, the Watkyn Path goes all the way, it’s steep and rocky but not terribly technical, although the last 1⁄2 km is very steep and loose – probably a bit much for small children and the uninitiated, and very slow going.
The South Ridge approach is easier, and also ascends from Cwm Llan: when the Watkyn Path enters the cwm at the little metal weir in the river (the hydroelectric intake pool), take the rusty red path to your left for about 100m, up to an obvious old tramway level. Turn right and follow it into the cwm for about 800m, then branch left up a patchy path for the obvious low point in the horizon.
Go through a high broken wall and scramble briefly up a stony slope. At the saddle and the low remnants of another stone wall, turn right up the South Ridge. This route has a couple of short sections of easy scrambling, and there are cliffs to the right requiring attention, but is otherwise just a stiff walk.
Alternatively ( a little longer, to the true start of the Watkyn Path and a woodland ascent) from the Barn via the River Path: From the Barn, follow the same stone track south towards Hafod y Llan farm: at the second gateway through the dry stone walls, leave the farm track and bear left 100m down the grassy bank to the corner of the field and a broken gap in the wall. Continue through some trees to a large wooden footbridge 25m ahead/left. Cross the bridge and follow the river path for about 800m to the tarmac farm road. Turn left, and at a cattle grid turn right up a large flight of steps to join the Watkyn Path. Follow it up to the large waterfalls and the Cwm Llan valley beyond.
Remember that the weather can change quickly and make the mountains a hazardous place. Even on a pleasant day, be prepared for rain, cold winds and rough stony ground.
In wintery times, all of the terrain above the Cwm should be treated with serious respect and tackling it is not recommended without appropriate equipment, experience and suitable weather. Snowdon is where Hilary’s Everest team trained!
The lake walks - Llyn Gwynant or Llyn Dinas:
Circuit of Llyn Gwynant (About 5km) – head north from the Barn, don’t go straight to the lake, there’s no obvious shore path: keep left of the prominent wooded knoll straight in front of the barn and follow the path up over a shallow notch with some small spoil heaps. The path from here on is fairly obvious, but tends to wander through the woods not follow the shore. In the craggy wooded section, watch out for The Elephant Rock viewpoint, a rounded cliff about halfway up the lake overlooking the water. The woods can be a bit boggy in places, and some stretches are briefly rough and steep, but otherwise this is not too tough. At the far end of the lake, cross the river at the bridge, and follow the shore past the campsite to the main road. Where the shore becomes private, there is a tarmac footpath along the road back to a choice of gates (one on the bend before the first houses on the right, one 50m after them) both of which lead to bridges over the river and back to the Barn.
Llyn Gwynant
Llyn Dinas to Beddgelert or vice versa (About 8km each way) – If the return journey is too far, you can catch buses between Nant Gwynant (bus stops on A498 main road at the clapper bridge gate) and Beddgelert, but check the timetable. If walking from the barn, head south taking the River Path to the café. 150m further on at the far end of a long lay-by, take the small road on the left. Cross the river, and at the sharp bend 100m later turn right along a farm track. Continue through the farm Llyndy Isaf and follow the path along the left-hand side of the lake, ‘Llyn Dinas’. At the far end of the lake, ignore the foot bridge over the river on the right, and stay on the left bank all the way into Beddgelert village. Almost flat, and the path is mostly well made and easy to follow.
There’s no path along the A498, so the main road side of the lake is not recommended. Return via the earlier path. Alternatively, there is a path high above the A498 from Craflwyn Hall back up the valley to Hafod y Llan. You need a map and good weather. 1km SW of Llyn Dinas, go into Craflwyn (National Trust): walk through the grounds and up the hillside past the old walled garden. On the OS map, look for the red path which loops up to the gridline marked “50” at Craflwyn and then north-east to the Watkyn Path near the large waterfalls above the farm. Giant’s Chair viewpoint on the way. Rough ground and quite isolated in places, perhaps tough for very small kids.
DEPARTURE CHECK LIST
1. CLEAN KITCHEN AND EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING INSIDE THE GRILL/OVEN AND MICROWAVE, CRUMBS OUT OF TOASTER. DO NOT LEAVE ANY FOOD ITEMS.
2. EMPTY ALL KITCHEN AND WASHROOM WATER RECEPTACLES, INCLUDING KETTLE AND URN
3. ROLL UP THE KITCHEN MAT. PROP OPEN THE FRIDGE DOORS TO PREVENT MOULD FORMING INSIDE
4. EMPTY ALL REFUSE BINS AND TAKE RUBBISH AWAY – DO NOT USE THE BINS AT THE HAFOD Y LLAN CAMPSITE
5. RETURN FOLDED BLANKETS TO THE BOX IN THE LOFT.
6. CLEAN WASHROOMS, PORCH/BOOT RACK.
7. VACUUM ALL FLOORS INCLUDING THE SLEEPING PLATFORMS
8. CHECK THE SKYLIGHT WINDOW IS FASTENED SHUT. SECURE THE DOWNSTAIRS SHUTTERS
9. DISCONNECT HEATERS FROM SOCKETS
10. EMPTY AND SERVICE THE TOILETS
11. SPRAY PEPPERMINT SPRAY ON SURFACES
12. FINAL CHECK FOR FORGOTTEN COATS ON HOOKS, ETC.
13. SWITCH OFF THE POWER AT THE CONSUMER UNIT IN THE PORCH (THE 2 MARKED SWITCHES ONLY)
14. LOCK ALL DOORS AND RETURN THE MAIN KEYS TO WHERE YOU FOUND THEM ON ARRIVAL
PLEASE REPORT ANY PROBLEMS OR BREAKAGES SO THEY CAN BE RESOLVED
- TOILET SERVICING INSTRUCTIONS There are two types of toilet deployed as necessary:
1. A simple version which is easy to service and suitable for winter time when freezing is a risk
2. A caravan-type flushing cassette version, which requires more careful maintenance
Please report any problems or if supplies are getting low
For the simple loo
Lift out the toilet ‘bucket’ part and empty it at the cess pit (follow the overhead power line through the top wall of the paddock).
Dilute some disinfectant from the centre store (key in main porch) in the yellow bucket, and clean the toilet seat/lid/etc, then the toilet bucket part.
Pour a small quantity of the blue sanitary fluid into the toilet bucket, enough to cover the central dimple. Add a couple of litres of water.
Re-assemble the parts.
Check the supplies of loo paper are okay.
- For the flushing cassette loo
This loo (Photo 1) has an upper chamber containing the flush water, and a lower waste compartment, which detaches for emptying. - The top part has a flush button, a gauge to show the level of flush water remaining and a fill point for new flush water (L-R, Photo 2). The lower part also has a contents gauge visible at the front.
Photo 1: assembled toilet Photo 2: flush button, Photo 3: detached units
(side lever visible to left) flush gauge & fill point (pour-out pipe swivelled out) - Use the side lever (Photo 1) to close the lower chamber and prevent spills.
- Release the rear catch and lift off the top compartment. The waste chamber pour-out pipe will be swivelled inwards – leave it there for
carrying, check its cap is secure before lifting by the front handle. - Empty at the cess pit (follow the overhead power line through the top wall
of the paddock). Remove the cap then swivel the pour-out pipe (Photo 3) – when draining, press the white button near the handle to prevent glugging. Rinse out with a couple of litres of fresh water and drain again. - Dilute some disinfectant from the centre store (key in main porch) in the yellow bucket, and clean all parts of the toilet.
- Recharge the lower section using the pour-out cap as a measure: 1 cap of sanitary fluid, then 3 litres of clean water. Replace cap / swivel pipe inward
- Reassemble the upper and lower sections.
- Fill the upper section with clean water (15 litres total). No leaves etc.,
these may damage the flush pump. - The battery operated flush delivers several bursts – check it is functioning.
- Check the supplies of loo paper are okay.
PLEASE –No outdoor footwear indoors