Brief Itinerary Included Meals: B = Breakfast, L = Packed lunch, D = Evening meal Day 1. Rendezvous at Manchester Airport. Transfer to hotel in Beddgelert. Afternoon walk along the River Glaslyn. Day 2. The day starts with a isit the Sygun Copper Mine where we can walk underground through tunnels and caverns filled with displays depicting the life of the miners up to the early part of the last century. We then head for the Llyn Peninsula known as the 'Welsh Riviera' and walk along the coast to a remote pub for lunch. In the afternoon we make a visit to Caernarfon and explore the castle on a guided tour. After a full day we return to Beddgelert. (B) Day 3. To climb the first of our Three Peaks YWyddfa' or Snowdon (3560 feet / 1085 metres) the highest mountain in Wales, we use a quiet and quite spectacular route which starts close to Beddgelert. Following the soth ridge known as Bwlch Main gives excellent views to the west and east and is a great way to climb the mountain. There is a lot of ascent today but we take an easy and steady pace, reaching the summit after around 4 hours of hiking. After a picnic lunch on the summit we descend by the Watkin path back to Beddgelert. (B,L). 6 - 7 hours. Day 4. We have a 2½ hour drive first east along the Welsh coast then crossing the Mersey, we head north to reach the edge of the Lake District National Park and the southern tip of Lake Windermere. Here we board one of the famous Windermere 'steamers' for a 1 hour 15 minute cruise to the northern end of the lake and the village of Ambleside. After lunch we drive across the Dunmail Raise pass to reach the climbers and walkers centre of Keswick on the shores of Derwent Water. (B) Day 5. Today we will explore Eastern Lakeland, and the beautiful Ullswater, Queen of Lakes. We start the day with a 30 minute cruise to Howtown pier and the start of a wonderful, meandering walk along the lake shore below sprawling Place Fell. Total walking time 3 - 4 hours. Total driving time 1 hour (B,L) Day 6 . The second peak of our trilogy. Today’s hike begins from the tiny community of Seathwaite and follows Grains Gill to Esk Hause. From here we traverse Broad Crag before the final ascent to the summit of England’s highest mountain. After a ‘two down’ celebration we return along the ‘Corridor’ route passing the quintessential mountain tarn of Sty Head. hours.(B,L). 8 hours. Day 7. The morning is free. After lunch we drive north across the Scottish border to Glasgow where we cross the Clyde River and follow the shore of Loch Lomond into the Highlands. Crossing the wilds of Rannoch Moor we then descend into the beautiful valley of Glencoe and continue alonf the shore of Loch Lhinne to Fort William. (B). 4 hours driving. Day 8. This morning we will take a guided tour of the Ben Nevis distillery which concludes with an optional tasting session. After the tour we take a cable car up to 2150ft on the north face of Aonach Mor, a spectacular ride taking around 15 minutes. From the top station a short walk on an easy path leads to Sgurr Finnisg-aig, an excellent viewpoint, which looks out across the Great Glen towards the hills of Knoydart. Returning to Fort William the remainder of the afternoon is free to look around the shops or perhaps a cruise on Loch Lhine. (B). Day 9. After a traditional Scottish breakfast we head up into Glen Nevis for the finale of the Three Peaks. Starting from the Nevis Inn above the glen, a well made trail at a good gradient (1 in 15) leads in a series of switchbacks to the summit plateau of the 'Ben'. We follow the rocky escarpment of the Northern corries to the the highest point in Britain where the views are breathtaking stretching to the coast and over the Mamores and the hills of Glencoe. Descending to the Nevis Inn we will no doubt wish to celebrate our achievement before we return to Fort William. Hiking time 7 - 8 hours. (B,L). Day 10. We take you to the railway station or airport in Glasgow to begin your homeward journey after a guaranteed memorable experience hiking in the finest mountain country in Britain. (B)
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The price includes: The services of an experienced Wandering Aengus walking guide and a PCV qualified driver The price does not include: Flights or rail journeys to/from start and end points |