BEST Wild Camp of the Year? | Exploring Ogwen Valley and the Carneddau with my Dog
The Snowdonia Slate Trail’s Ogwen Valley section offers a scenic wild-camp and mountain detour, but assess scrambling carefully—especially with a dog.
- For a wild camp, look for a suitable spot while climbing above Llyn Idwal; leave no trace and take all rubbish with you.
- Before attempting Pen yr Ole Wen with a dog and a heavy pack, assess the scrambling on arrival and turn back if it feels unsafe.
- Plan dog-friendly stays ahead: the creator found no dog-allowing campsites around Capel Curig and Ogwen Valley, making wild camping useful.
The value is mainly scenery and personal experience; the practical route and safety notes are covered here. · Best for: Hikers planning the Snowdonia Slate Trail, especially those wild camping with a dog.
Ellie and Otto finish the Snowdonia Slate Trail with a night camping above Ogwen Valley and a detour over the Carneddau. She describes the route as scenic and mostly on good paths, with some boggy ground, road walking, and limited dog-friendly accommodation in parts.
Leaving Betws-y-Coed through woodland1:10
- The pair leave Betws-y-Coed on day six after an overnight hotel stay.
- The walk begins through autumn woodland before views open up.
Approaching Ogwen Valley and choosing a camp spot5:00
- After about 8.5 km, Ellie takes a short detour to a cafe for a break.
- At around 15 km, she plans to climb above Llyn Idwal and look for a place to camp with a view.
- She pitches before dark and leaves time to enjoy the clearing weather and sunrise.
Sunrise and deciding whether to climb12:44
- Ellie plans to try Pen yr Ole Wen, but is unsure whether the scrambling is safe for Otto.
- The Slate Trail’s alternative follows the lake toward Bethesda on an easier route.
- She says to assess the conditions and turn back if the climb is not safe.
Scrambling up Pen yr Ole Wen15:48
- The ascent is rocky and challenging with a heavy pack; Ellie gives Otto a lift over one section.
- She reaches the summit and continues across the ridge toward more peaks.
- She emphasizes that it is fine to turn back if a technical section feels unsafe.
Carneddau ridge and descent19:49
- The Carneddau are open, rugged and exposed, with weather that can change quickly.
- The route continues over high ground before descending toward Bethesda.
Trail finish and overall assessment23:12
- Ellie and Otto finish the loop at Bethesda after passing a large slate quarry.
- She describes the trail as scenic, not especially busy, and mostly on good paths, though some sections can be boggy and there is road walking.
- She notes that dog-friendly accommodation can be difficult around Capel Curig and Ogwen Valley.
Step by step
- If camping, identify a suitable place while approaching the Ogwen Valley hills, and leave no trace by taking all rubbish with you.
- Before attempting the Pen yr Ole Wen scramble, inspect the route and judge whether you and your dog can continue safely.
- Turn back if the terrain or exposure feels unsafe; the Slate Trail’s lower route toward Bethesda is an alternative.
- Continue over the Carneddau ridge only if conditions and energy allow, then descend toward Bethesda.
Notes are AI-generated from the video's transcript and may miss nuance.