A 7km walk up the Great Orme from Llandudno while staying in Betws-y-Coed with James.Route: from the Town Hall car park heading north on Chapel Street, Avon Avenue and Llewelyn Avenue to reach Cwlach Rd and at a fork staying on the lower footpath staying at constant altitude with views over the town (Lovers’ Walk), then climbing onto a slightly higher tarmac path. At a junction turning right on a stony path called the Zig-Zag Trail and following this up between rocky outcrops to a lower summit plateau and then north-west to double back to the right (north-east), gaining height before turning left (north-west, again) and crossing the tram tracks for the summit complex.
Descending north east, joining St Tudno’s Road to visit St Tudno’s Church and then taking an enclosed path slightly uphill and then level, herding sheep along it. Descending past the ski centre (with a laughably slow luge run) to Happy Valley Botanical Gardens and thus back to the start (via some shops).
Conditions: lower down, warm in direct sun but a cool breeze on the summit.
Pub: Swallow Falls Hotel, after driving most of the way back to the cottage, for Conwy Brewery Welsh Pride and Clogwyn Gold.
