Snowdonia, N/W Wales Locations

[buckas]

Hey up, heading up there end of Feb - what's everyone think to the top spots for landscape shooting?

Cheers

drew

 

[jerry12953]

Surely you wouldn't want to go to the spots everybody else goes to......

 

[Spiritflier]

A good idea would be to open up Flickr maps and have a look to see what images have been taken around a given location. Failing that, if you know any N. Wales photographers on Flickr, click on their own personal maps to get some ideas.

Cheers,
Si

 

[buckas]

Surely you wouldn't want to go to the spots everybody else goes to......

yeh agree, bit of insight more than none would be a bonus though

A good idea would be to open up Flickr maps and have a look to see what images have been taken around a given location. Failing that, if you know any N. Wales photographers on Flickr, click on their own personal maps to get some ideas.

Cheers,
Si

thanks, will go look

drew

 

[jerry12953]

Are you planning on doing any walking or mainly motoring?

 

[buckas]

both both keen walkers, hope the weather will be kind (big ask LOL)

drew

 

[grum]

Hi Drew - Tryfan is quite a picturesque mountain imo.

It ALWAYS rains in N Wales ime though.

 

[Dudie]

Snowdonia has top photographic spots everywhere you look. Personal favourites are the main Glyderau plateau and the northern cwms (the views into them from Tryfan and Y Garn are pretty special, or follow the herd and pitch up around Llyn Idwal), Cwm Cau on Cadair Idris, the Aran ridge approach from the south east, the Moelwyns from Llan Ffestiniog. I could go on.....Seriously though, just get the relevant OS maps and get up there and wander round.

If it's any help, my hillwalking snaps from Snowdonia can be viewed here. It might give you a feel for the area:
linky

 

[jerry12953]

For a great viewpoint in almost all directions, try Moel-y-gest, near Porthmadog. It's like a mountain in miniature, so not too cold at the top......

Llyn Mymbyr, near Capel Curig is a great spot, right next to the road and therefore a real magnet for photographers.

There's some good waterfalls in the Betws-y-coed area, mostly upstream.

Blaenau Ffestiniog area for industrial architecture - likewise Dinorwig, opposite Llanberis.

Get hold of some good maps and explore them first!

 

[Spiritflier]

...Get hold of some good maps and explore them first!

Good advice! Ordnance Survey Landranger 115 and 124 will give you most of the National Park.

Another couple of places to add to the list are Penmon Point (and lighthouse) on Anglesey and Point of Ayr lighthouse near Talacre on the N. Wales coast.

South Stack lighthouse is worth a visit... more so when the puffins are there in force. Finding an alternative view of the lighthouse is tricky due to the terrain.

Si

 

[c_robinson]

have a look on lowfly.net

that's the info on the mach loop, take 2 bodies, shoot some landscapes, and shoot some planes with a long lens!

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

I'm with Dudie on this one - cant beat the Glyders.
Mt personal favourite is up Y Gribin, find an interesting/challenging route up Glyder Fach, try and get up Castle of the Winds, try and get up the Summit mound (not if it's wet), play on the Cantilever Rock and down via the gentle but scenic route on the Miners Track from the col with Y Foel Goch.

The route is challenging enough to make a decent day and route variations on Glyder Fach can make it fit anywhere between a comfortable day out and a very tough day out.
Views north into Cwm Idwall are superb and the all-day views over Tryfan are spectacular.
I'm hoping to drag CarolineS over this route later in the year.

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Here's a few from my last trip on this route.

1) View from Y Gribin towards Tryfan. Light not that good, but you get the idea....

2) View of Glyder Fach from the top of Y Gribin. That's a jumble of car to lorry sized boulders all piled up on top of each other. If you don't go up the path it takes 45-60 mins to pick a way through them to the top. It's superb!

3) At the edge of the Castle of the Winds

4) The Cantilever Rock. If you are feeling brave then normally you can walk out onto it but on this occasion it was greasy. If you stand in just the right place then the whole rock tips and wobbles.

 

[Spiritflier]

Your profile pic reminded me to add Ynys Llanddwyn as well... It can be an incredibly beautiful place to visit!

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Your profile pic reminded me to add Ynys Llanddwyn as well... It can be an incredibly beautiful place to visit!

Tsshh - I forgot!
Been there twice now and yes the OP should go too.
Something for everyone - wooded dunes, marram grass, sand patterns, kite surfing, brightly coloured pillow lava (red and green), two lighthouses, pilot boat cottages in the dunes, celtic crosses, ruined chapel - need I go on
My profile pic was taken during my last visit and it is part of a bigger landscape with lovely soft summer sunset colours. It was made extra special by some dolphins playing in the bay beneath the lighthouse.

Someone mentioned Dinorwig - I went there last Autumn and security has been beefed up; so only expect to stick to the public access routes. It's probably due to a film being made there last Summer and they are worried about film buffs wandering into dangerous bits of which there are plenty.

If you like reflections I'd 100% recommend a stop at Vivian Quarry next to the Llanberris Slate Museum. The diving pool there has some of the best abstract colour reflections I know of.

 

[Dudie]

The Cantilever Rock.... If you stand in just the right place then the whole rock tips and wobbles.

Didn't realise it moved. Not for want of trying either :

 

[CarolineS]

I'm hoping to drag CarolineS over this route later in the year.

"Drag" is probably very appropriate

 

[Comfortably Numb]

[QUOTE
If you like reflections I'd 100% recommend a stop at Vivian Quarry next to the Llanberris Slate Museum. The diving pool there has some of the best abstract colour reflections I know of.[/QUOTE]

There's also a nice little castle tower called Dolbadarn on the RH side of the road to the museum. Car park directly opposite.

 

[reggie747]

Tagged for reference later !! Thanks

 

[FFO]

My profile pic was taken during my last visit and it is part of a bigger landscape with lovely soft summer sunset colours. It was made extra special by some dolphins playing in the bay beneath the lighthouse.

It was indeed.... I'm presuming we sat next to each other.

Because of you showing me LV... I bought a 5D MkII

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Because of you showing me LV... I bought a 5D MkII

If we ever meet up again - we'll have matching kit
I've bought a TS-E and wish I's had it back then - my DoF was struggling to get the foreground sharp; would have been a breeze with the TS-E.

I much prefer the colours on your shot.
I've had several goes trying to get the colours it right and so far it's eluded me.
Your shot is how I remember it - beautiful....

 

[suze23]

abersoch

i holidayed there every weekend.... lol

its stunning.... im going to go back myself one day for pics and the beaches...

pwllheli is good for market town.... and general buildings....

abersoch is walkers heaven -- the golf course has some spectacular views....

 

[buckas]

Hi Drew - Tryfan is quite a picturesque mountain imo.

It ALWAYS rains in N Wales ime though.

thanks, lol yeh

Snowdonia has top photographic spots everywhere you look. Personal favourites are the main Glyderau plateau and the northern cwms (the views into them from Tryfan and Y Garn are pretty special, or follow the herd and pitch up around Llyn Idwal), Cwm Cau on Cadair Idris, the Aran ridge approach from the south east, the Moelwyns from Llan Ffestiniog. I could go on.....Seriously though, just get the relevant OS maps and get up there and wander round.

If it's any help, my hillwalking snaps from Snowdonia can be viewed here. It might give you a feel for the area:

thanks fella, good info - nice shots as well, hope the weather's that good

For a great viewpoint in almost all directions, try Moel-y-gest, near Porthmadog. It's like a mountain in miniature, so not too cold at the top......

Llyn Mymbyr, near Capel Curig is a great spot, right next to the road and therefore a real magnet for photographers.

There's some good waterfalls in the Betws-y-coed area, mostly upstream.

Blaenau Ffestiniog area for industrial architecture - likewise Dinorwig, opposite Llanberis.

Get hold of some good maps and explore them first!

Thanks fella, noted

Good advice! Ordnance Survey Landranger 115 and 124 will give you most of the National Park.

Another couple of places to add to the list are Penmon Point (and lighthouse) on Anglesey and Point of Ayr lighthouse near Talacre on the N. Wales coast.

South Stack lighthouse is worth a visit... more so when the puffins are there in force. Finding an alternative view of the lighthouse is tricky due to the terrain.

Si

cheers, maps ordered

have a look on lowfly.net

that's the info on the mach loop, take 2 bodies, shoot some landscapes, and shoot some planes with a long lens!

hmm, interesting - would be there in some weekdays so might be worth a bash

I'm with Dudie on this one - cant beat the Glyders.
Mt personal favourite is up Y Gribin, find an interesting/challenging route up Glyder Fach, try and get up Castle of the Winds, try and get up the Summit mound (not if it's wet), play on the Cantilever Rock and down via the gentle but scenic route on the Miners Track from the col with Y Foel Goch.

The route is challenging enough to make a decent day and route variations on Glyder Fach can make it fit anywhere between a comfortable day out and a very tough day out.
Views north into Cwm Idwall are superb and the all-day views over Tryfan are spectacular.
I'm hoping to drag CarolineS over this route later in the year.

thanks - great help

Here's a few from my last trip on this route.

1) View from Y Gribin towards Tryfan. Light not that good, but you get the idea....

2) View of Glyder Fach from the top of Y Gribin. That's a jumble of car to lorry sized boulders all piled up on top of each other. If you don't go up the path it takes 45-60 mins to pick a way through them to the top. It's superb!

3) At the edge of the Castle of the Winds

4) The Cantilever Rock. If you are feeling brave then normally you can walk out onto it but on this occasion it was greasy. If you stand in just the right place then the whole rock tips and wobbles.

Your profile pic reminded me to add Ynys Llanddwyn as well... It can be an incredibly beautiful place to visit!

thanks, nice shots

Tsshh - I forgot!
Been there twice now and yes the OP should go too.
Something for everyone - wooded dunes, marram grass, sand patterns, kite surfing, brightly coloured pillow lava (red and green), two lighthouses, pilot boat cottages in the dunes, celtic crosses, ruined chapel - need I go on
My profile pic was taken during my last visit and it is part of a bigger landscape with lovely soft summer sunset colours. It was made extra special by some dolphins playing in the bay beneath the lighthouse.
]

Someone mentioned Dinorwig - I went there last Autumn and security has been beefed up; so only expect to stick to the public access routes. It's probably due to a film being made there last Summer and they are worried about film buffs wandering into dangerous bits of which there are plenty.

If you like reflections I'd 100% recommend a stop at Vivian Quarry next to the Llanberris Slate Museum. The diving pool there has some of the best abstract colour reflections I know of.

thanks nice shot

Didn't realise it moved. Not for want of trying either :

sod that for a game of soldiers

[QUOTE
If you like reflections I'd 100% recommend a stop at Vivian Quarry next to the Llanberris Slate Museum. The diving pool there has some of the best abstract colour reflections I know of.

There's also a nice little castle tower called Dolbadarn on the RH side of the road to the museum. Car park directly opposite.

yeh went there last time, great how it made up of loads of layers of slate - thanks

abersoch

i holidayed there every weekend.... lol

its stunning.... im going to go back myself one day for pics and the beaches...

pwllheli is good for market town.... and general buildings....

abersoch is walkers heaven -- the golf course has some spectacular views....

thanks

keep em coming

drew

 

[Shirleyr]

Head for Nefyn Golf course on a clear day you can see the wicklow mountains and climb the Rivals for a fantastic view.

 

[FFO]

If we ever meet up again - we'll have matching kit
I've bought a TS-E and wish I's had it back then - my DoF was struggling to get the foreground sharp; would have been a breeze with the TS-E.

I upgraded to the MKII and have to say it's the dogs danglies, superb lens and compliments the 5D II the amount of or lack of processing required is just a joy.

Back on track... How about Llyn Gwynant

 

[DuncanDisorderly]

Back on track... How about Llyn Gwynant

LOL - I think this may be taken from the same spot.
Very different conditions though....

If you are thinking of Llyn Gynant then why not nip up Cwm Llan, the start of the Watkin path. Lovely waterfalls and great views up to the mountains.

If you fancy a go at dereliction then look up Cwm Orthin. A disused slate quarry which has public access. I got a nice photo of the barracks there last year.