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THE LLANBERIS PASS  
 
Photographs taken on a walk through the Pass of Llanberis
on Tuesday April 12th 2005 by Noel Walley.
 

 
The writer, a resident of Llandudno, regularly uses public transport to visit his favourite haunts in North Wales. On this occasion he took the Arriva S2 through bus at 9:50 am from Llandudno and arrived Pen y Pass at 11:10 am. This open topped double-decker makes several connecting journeys between Pen y Pass and Betws y Coed before returning to Llandudno at 5:45 pm from Pen y Pass. Pen y Pass stands at the head of the Llanberis Pass (also called the Nantperis Pass) and is the location of a large car park, a Youth Hostel, and a popular cafe, as well a being the starting point for several walking routes to the summit of Snowdon. Pen y Pass is served by the Sherpa bus network and there are good bus services to and from Llanberis, Beddgelert, Waunfawr, Porthmadog, Bethesda, Betws y Coed and Llanrwst.  
 

 
On this occasion, a crisp sunny spring morning, I walked the upper section of the Llanberis Pass. It is down hill all the way from Pen y Pass to the village and church of Nant Peris, a little over two miles. The magnificent view unfolds before one as one walks on the right hand side to face the oncoming traffic. Walking is quite the best way to see the valley and there is time to stop, look and ponder.
 

 
   One sees the start of a river, at first just darkened lush grass and wet moss.
 

 
   A little lower and a cascade comes in from the slopes of Snowdon and under the road to join the Nant Peris River.
 

 
  At Pont y Gromlech the road crosses to the right hand side of the river.
Here one is below the crag named Dinas y Gromlech.

 

 
   The Cromlech Boulders.
 

 
   Ynys Ettws and Blaen y Nant, each with lush green paddocks,
are the first signs of habitation, about two miles from Pen y Pass.

 


Nantperis Croeso - Welcome to Nant Peris.



Blaen y Nant where another stream cascades to join the Afon Nantperis.



Just beyond Blaen y Nant, high above on the left is Clogwyn Mawr with an exposed ridge traversed by the Snowdon Mountain Railway between its Halfway and Clogwyn Stations. A moving train is often visible and can also be heard from time to time. The steam powered mountain railway runs from Llanberis to the summit of Snowdon.  On the road one now begins to encounter more of the outlying village properties and varied views as one approaches Nant Peris Village with the ancient church of Saint Peris and the village inn, The Vaynol Arms, where a pub lunch may be had. On this occasion a bus was due, so I flagged it down at Cae Perthi and rode via Llanberis (change bus) into Caernarfon for lunch returning via Bangor (with a visit to the Cathedral). I arrived at my home in Llandudno at 6 pm.

Photographs © 2005 by Noel Walley

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