Snowdonia

[SunshineOutdoors]

Off to Snowdonia, near Croesor in April. Looking for ideas for days out with an 8 month old. It's me, dh and dd. We have a framed child carrier backpack, a baby carrier where dd is strapped to my chest and an all terrain pushchair.

I started a thread in Chat before we got this fancy new home, where the general consensus seemed to be don't attempt Snowdon with a baby.

We do like stunning countryside, beaches, wildlife and bird spotting, pubs with real ale, beautiful views, a bit of history etc etc.

Any ideas would be most appreciated, thanks

There is an old steam train that takes you from the bottom to the top of mount snowdonia. My parents loved it when they went, gotta be better than carrying the baby up the mountain.

Sorry mount snowdon I mean

Oh and walking. I forgot to say we like walking.

Padarn country park is beautiful opposite llanberis. Caernarfon is good- great castle.

Train to the top of Snowdon
Ffestiniog steam railway from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog
Portmeirion
Black Rock Sands beach

Well I wouldn't attempt the pyg track with a small child strapped to my chest but there must be loads of walks you could do.

Slate Museum in Llanberis is very good.

We stayed near Criccieth last April. Was lovely - hadn't been to north Wales for a long time and it was fantastic.

Aberglasyn pass - lovely walk to Beddgelert. Alongside steam railway line. Did it with family.

Don't see any reason why you can't potter up Cnicht - direct from Croesor. Nice walking round there anyway.

Osprey hides nearby - didn't go but seemed popular.

Coast is nice. Harlech and Criccieth are not far away from there. Harlech castle is good to look round.

With an 8 month old, I would try and get some reasonable length walks in if the weather is OK. We used to do OK length walks when we only had DS and he was OK in the carrier. They are pretty portable at that age. I remember your previous thread about Snowdon - if you have weather like we had there last Easter (like the Med...), you'd have no problem.

Excellent, some great ideas here already. Thanks! I knew people on this topic would be able to help me!

Don't know if a steep but stepped walk appeals, further to the south. Cadair Idris is about 30 miles south and if you wanted not too long a walk, then Minifford Path up as far as Llyn Cau would be possible I reckon with DD.
Some pictures: Pic1 Pic2 (this is Llyn Cau, taken from further up the mountain) [[http://twitpic.com/4lnd7n Pic3

Welsh Highland Railway now links Porthmadog to Caernarfon. Not sure how long that full journey takes, looking at time table it's a bit over 2.5 hours. It's quite high cost and your DD may not enjoy being on a train that long. May be something to do on a wet day, perhaps doing a section of the line. See festrail.co.uk/

Have you already found Pushchair Walks. There are quite a few walks in North Wales.

we took dd1 up snowdon in a babybjorn when she was 3 months old. there was a snowstorm and dh fell over.

we came down in the train...

oo, i haven't been up cadair idris for yonks. don't they say that if you soend the night on the summit then you will go maaaaaaaaaaad?

The fairy glen in snowdon is a lovely walk.

Also the old slate mines around Blaenau Ffestiniog are spectacular - think lord of the rings type scenery.

I second Harlech castle for a visit.

You are well positioned in Croesor for all the interests listed I would also say that Snowdon is perfectly do-able on one or two provisos. 1. that its not to hot for babi and 2. your own ability to comfortably carry the extra weight without over exertion. Allowing yourself the necessary extra time for stops etc is also crucial. Here's wishing you a wonderful holiday which I'm sure it will be :)

You don't have to travel far to do tons of stuff from Croesor. Take a walk around Llyn Mair which is on the way back down to the main road at Maentwrog. There is a path around the lake and up to Tan y bwlch station where you can get the fffestiniog train to porthmadog. Once in Porthmadog walk around to the other side of the harbour to a footpath which takes you to Borth y Gest where you can have lunch with a fab view across to Harlech and the Rhinogs

Portmeirion is also almost on your doorstep which makes for a great day out. You can cash in tesco vouchers for free entry. Bit too touristy for me though

If you are going to Harlech, don't park in the town its horrendous in the tourist season. Instead park in the theatre car park opposite the college and walk up the goat track to the village. Fab views across to criccieth and the Lleyn penninsular from the top. Don't go to the beach down the beach road either, instead go along the single track road behind the theatre and college and you'll come to a footpath going over the railway and across the golf course. The vast expanse of beach is always deserted.

For the ultimate hideaway pack a picnic and head out down to the main road at Maentwrog cross over at the Oakley arms to head through the village and follow the road until you get to a left turn just before the small hydro electric station. Head up the single track road over the pipes and through one or two gates and where the road opens out at the top, park on the grass verge here. Opposite you, you'll see a sign pointing to a public footpath which goes across a field and towards some woods. Follow it. have sturdy footwear on, it'll take you down through the woods to the bottom of the gorge where there is a spectacular waterfall and a massive bank on the side of the plungepool where you can sit and have a picnic. Spent many wonderful childhood days there. Its called Rhaedr Ddu if you want to find it on the map

The Grapes at Maentwrog seems to be where lots of people go for good beer, far too crowded for my liking though.

Could go on and on - have a fab time - very jealous

Wow eatyourveg please do go on and on! These ideas are perfect, especially the ones that help you avoid the busy areas and find little idyllic spots that only a few people know about.

I'd love to be let in on some more secrets!

Haven't forgotten you - will pm later

I'm getting very excited! This is the cottage we have booked, small but perfectly formed! I think it's Cnicht that you can see in the background on one of the pics.

Looking forward to looking out at the stars once dd is in bed, with a nice glass of wine, after a day out doing outdoorsy shite!

Outdoorsy shite, not an outdoorsy shite!

The routes up Snowdon that don't have too many hairy bits are Snowdon Ranger & Rhydd Du (sp?) I think. Llanberis path is mostly gentle but has a bit of scrambling right at the end,

Other good walks: Cwm Idwal & the Nant Ffrancon valley are favourite of mine.
Tre Ceiri (The Rivals) is an iron age fort on top of a mountain which is pretty spectacular.
Lots of nice coastal walks on Anglesey.

Aber Falls is a nice gentle walk if you want an easy one!

Also Conwy Castle & town walls, Caenarfon castle, etc.

And I would say have some back-up wet weather plans but based on the latest weather I'm not so sure!

forgot to mention if you find yourself in criccieth, go into cadwaladers for an ice cream - choose a table right at the back - the whole back wall is one massive window looking out to sea!

Ooh yes do go to Criccieth & have ice cream at Cadwalladers!

And even if you're not 'beach' people, Black Rock Sands near Criccieth is an awesome beach for kite flying, frisbee etc.

eat your veg for the pm.

Right, I am officially under orders from mumsnetters to eat lots of ice cream

Diolch yn fawr iawn

We're back and had the most fantastic time. I just realised I hadn't said thank you to you all! I'm off to bed now but I'll come back and update this thread with my experiences when I've got more energy.

Thanks again and I'd recommend such an amazing part of the world to anyone!

Ooh good! we've booked the first week of July in Snowdonia.

"God's own Country" as my neighbour calls it.