Yr Aran via the Watkin Path
You need to log in as a member of Walkingworld to access the details for this walk and have an active subscription. Please join, or log in above if you are already a member.
The Watkin Path is one of the classic ascent routes to the summit of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) and is named after Sir Edward Watkin who had it built. Sir Edward was a railway entrepreneur and politician, whose grandiose schemes included an early proposal for a Channel Tunnel. Less grandiose, but ultimately more successful, was the path from his summer chalet in Nantgwynant to the summit of Yr Wyddfa.
If you are rich and well-connected and intend to have a path built and then named after you, it might be a good idea to get a famous mate to declare it open. Sir Edward did just that, his famous mate in this case being the Prime Minister, William Gladstone. Sir Edward didn't muck about when he had a grandiose scheme in mind.
However, despite all Sir Edward's fine efforts, the Watkin Path is probably the least popular ascent route for Yr Wyddfa, due to having the greatest height gain of the various routes to the summit. It's also a bit of a slog in the higher part of the path.
Not far from the least popular way up Yr Wyddfa is the forgotten mountain of the Snowdon group, Yr Aran. Although a fine, shapely mountain, especially when viewed from the road next to Llyn Gwynant (lay-by at GR 649520), the mountain isn't on any of the popular routes to Yr Wyddfa.
Although the least popular path and a forgotten mountain might not seem to be the recipe for a good walk, this is far from the case. This walk sets out to make good use of the best of the Watkin Path before heading for the attractive (and deserted) Yr Aran.
The route starts on the Watkin Path, giving pleasant walking amongst great scenery. If it looks slightly familiar on your first visit, this may be because the path was used in the filming of 'Carry On up the Khyber', due to its similarity to the rugged landscape of Afghanistan. The route rises above an attractive set of pools and waterfalls before taking a sudden turn-off onto rougher ground and steeper slopes.
The walking isn't too demanding though and the reward is an easy path to join the East Ridge of Yr Aran. On the approach it looks like one of those ridges you just have to walk and when you get there, it doesn't disappoint. The route to the summit is interesting all the way and the top gives great views of the neighbouring peaks.
The way back is simple enough and as well as giving the opportunity to go for Yr Wyddfa after all (see the Additional Information section), it also includes a bit more of the Watkin Path, including the famous Gladstone Rock, from which William Gladstone addressed the crowd when the path was opened. This route has the best of the Watkin, plus the ascent of an attractive and quiet mountain, something of a rarity in Snowdonia; a mountain for connoisseurs.
Wales - North Wales - Gwynedd - Snowdonia