When the Weather Wins: A Weekend in Eryri (August 2026)
For the August Bank Holiday weekend, 16 of us headed to Glan Dŵr Mountain Lodge in Capel Curig, right in the heart of Eryri National Park (Snowdonia).
The Lodge was perfectly placed, with a rushing river right outside and mountain walks from the door. Turn right for a swim in the lake by Plas y Brenin, turn left for the welcoming Tyn-y-Coed pub, or be tempted by Joe Brown’s next door and Ellis Brigham up the road. After all, you can never have too much walking kit, can you?
Saturday’s forecast was grim, leading to much debate over which walk to tackle. Eight of us chose Heather’s anti-clockwise route up Moel Siabod, setting off in light rain and supposedly well protected by our waterproofs. The plan was to reach the summit and descend to Llyn y Foel for a possible wild swim.
As we climbed, the rain and wind increased, the mist descended and navigation became interesting, particularly when Heather and Sue’s OS apps appeared to show entirely different features. A fence appeared which Heather’s app insisted didn’t exist, while Sue’s was reassuringly aware of it. We then found the wide, well-trodden track to the summit which appeared on neither app.
Conditions were challenging by the time we reached the rocky summit.
After the obligatory group photo, we sensibly chose to descend the way we had come rather than tackle the steeper, slippery alternative. You know the weather has won when Heather, our diehard wild swimmer, decides she really doesn’t fancy a swim after all!
Meanwhile, David’s group ambitiously headed towards the Glyders, although with an escape plan in mind. Everyone reached the summit of Foel Goch before David and Susan retreated in search of tea and cake. The others continued for another kilometre before descending Cwm Tryfan and returning via the Slate Trail.
Dave, Gina and Janette perhaps had the best idea, enjoying a relaxing forest walk to Llyn Crafnant for a swim.
Sunday was brighter, but after Saturday’s soaking most opted for Catriona’s 10-mile lower-level walk rather than Karen’s High Carneddau challenge.
Karen set off alone, promising to keep us updated. Her message announcing “fab views” at the first summit was greeted with scepticism as she’d posted no photo to prove it. But it turned out she really had seen the view!
The low-level walkers enjoyed Llyn Crafnant and lunch beside Llyn Geirionydd. Returning, we finally saw Moel Siabod in glorious sunshine: “That’s where we were yesterday! We can actually see it now! Isn’t it pointy!”
Julie proved to be an avid blackberry forager, and her juicy haul was shared with us at breakfast the next morning.
Despite the weather, it was a wonderful weekend, rounded off with great food, laughter, lively conversation and a birthday celebration for Mags. A very successful trip – even if the Welsh weather occasionally had other ideas!
Author: Sue Brinsden
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