Snowdonia in Spring

Snowdonia is the largest national park in Wales. At its heart are the highest and most extensive mountains in the British Isles outside Scotland. We will be visiting in a special week of the year when the landscape is fresh green and trees are vibrant with newly formed leaves. This tour will enable you to (literally) take your spring landscapes to the next level.

We will be photographing three of the most spectacular mountains (Snowdon, Tryfan and Cadair Idris) together with five stunning glacial lakes, evidence of how ice carved the landscape thousands of years ago. Other natural highlights are the Conwy River in its remarkable gorge, the exquisitely sinuous Mawddach Estuary and an iconic lone tree at Llyn Padarn. The tour features two World Heritage Sites: the Castles of King Edward I and the slate quarries of North West Wales. We will venture to Anglesey, the largest island in Wales to photograph the delightfully quirky Little Church in the Sea and Twr Mawr lighthouse, each situated on its own tidal island. The tour ends with a visit to the summit of Snowdon by mountain railway (provided it is fully operating as expected), to enjoy panoramic viewpoints from the highest point in Wales and England.

In order to make the most of early morning light at five outstanding locations, the tour will be divided between two hotels, in southern and northern Snowdonia. Each morning (except in the event of persistent rain) we will be out at first light seeking to capture reflections in Wales’ most beautiful lakes, returning to our hotel for breakfast. There will be a rest period before we go out again in the afternoon and evening. Many of the locations involve easy or moderate hikes of up to one mile in each direction on level or moderately sloping ground. Some are adjacent to car parks. However, reaching two high elevation glacial lakes, for which early morning light is ideal at this time of year, is more demanding. Llyn Cau involves a hike of 1.5 miles and elevation gain of 400m on a partly rugged footpath which we expect to start in the dark. Cwm Idwal involves a walk of 2/3 mile and elevation gain of 70m on a mostly well-made up footpath. Fairy Glen involves a short scramble amongst boulders to reach the best shooting position. Therefore, to fully benefit from all the photographic opportunities of this tour you need to be fit, fully mobile and comfortable with walking in mountainous terrain.

I will provide tuition on composition, using filters to capture moving water, reflections and wet surfaces and on processing images to best effect. We also hope to find time on the tour to review participants’ images.

Accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis is at the Royal Ship Hotel in Dolgellau and the Royal Victoria Hotel in Llanberis. These are ideally placed to get to our early morning photography locations and back for a hearty breakfast. Lunches and evening meals will be taken at the hotel or elsewhere depending on our itinerary, at cost.

Typical itinerary (may be adjusted as necessary to make best use of weather):

Day 1: Meet at Dolgellau at lunchtime. Introductory presentation. Barmouth, railway viaduct and Mawddach Estuary viewpoints.

Day 2: Llyn Cau at sunrise (3.30am start, 1.5 mile walk with 400m ascent, returning for breakfast). Rest break until lunchtime. Dolgoch Falls. Evening light on Cadair Idris.

Day 3: Llynnau Cregennen at sunrise (4.30am start, adjacent to car park, returning for rest break followed by breakfast). Check out of hotel. Transfer to Llanberis via Ynys-y-Pandy Slate Mill. Rest break followed by Capel Curig Pinnacles, Fairy Glen and Conwy Castle.

Day 4: Cwm Idwal at sunrise (4am start, 2/3 mile walk with 70m ascent, returning for breakfast). Rest break until lunchtime. Isle of Anglesey including St Cwyfan’s Church and Twr Mawr lighthouse until sunset.

Day 5: Snowdon viewed from Llyn Llydaw at sunrise (4am start, one mile walk on easy track, returning for breakfast). Rest break until lunchtime. Dinorwic Slate Quarry, Llyn Cwmffynnon or Llyn Gwynant followed by Caernarvon Castle.

Day 6: Llyn Padarn at sunrise (4.30am start, adjacent to car park, returning for rest break followed by breakfast). Check out of hotel. Snowdon summit by train. Tour ends early afternoon in Llanberis.

Group Size: Maximum of 6 participants.

Recommended photographic equipment:

• Digital single lens reflex camera, mirrorless camera or equivalent
• Lenses ranging from wide angle (ideally 16mm on full frame) to short telephoto (200mm+)
• Tripod (essential)
• Neutral density filters
• Polarising filter
• Remote cable release
• Waterproof camera cover
• Warm and waterproof clothes
• Walking boots

Dates:
16 to 21 May 2024

Meet at lunchtime on Day 1, depart early afternoon on Day 6 or 7.

Price to be confirmed for 2024. Please contact me to register interest.


Included: Accommodation in twin or double rooms with private bathroom for five nights, breakfasts, travel during tour (including mountain railway), photographic guiding and tuition. If you wish to arrive by public transport, pickup at Barmouth Railway Station on Day 1 and drop off at Bangor Railway Station on Day 6 are included.

Not included: Transport to tour start at Barmouth or Dolgellau; transport home from Llanberis or Bangor. Lunches, evening meals and drinks. Personal items.