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THE LLANBERIS PASS
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.
Visit Llandudno - Queen of the North Wales
Resorts.