| The route along the A4086, particularly between | | | | wide angle lens is essential to do them justice. |
| the two villages of Capel Curig and Llanberis has | | | | The mountain views to Lliwedd, Crib Y Ddysgl and |
| an abundance of opportunities for the landscape | | | | Snowdon itself are all impressive. For the |
| photographer, it is also the route most first time | | | | energetic photographer who continues to the |
| visitors to Snowdonia take as it passes through | | | | summit, whilst the view is impressive, personally I |
| some stunning scenery. Capel Curig, surrounded | | | | don’t believe it’s nearly as photogenic as |
| on all sides by impressive scenery, is a popular | | | | those available during the climb. One notable |
| place from which to climb the many mountains in | | | | summit feature is the unique train that, except |
| the area and provides an excellent base if wishing | | | | for the winter months, brings hundreds of tourists |
| to spend some time discovering the mountain | | | | to the top of Snowdon – forget any thought |
| summits. The Afon Llugwy river also runs through | | | | of mountain isolation, this is a difficult summit |
| the centre, providing the spectacle of the Pont | | | | from which to capture a “person free” |
| Cyfyng falls, particularly photogenic after a period | | | | shot. The train itself makes an interesting |
| of rainfall. | | | | photographic subject as it winds its way up the |
| On leaving Capel Curing via the A4086 towards | | | | steep track from llanberis. It also provides another |
| Llanberis, the valley widens and the lakes of | | | | option for those photographers not too keen on |
| “Llynnau Mymbyr” appear in view | | | | hiking to the top of a mountain. |
| surrounded on one side by the solitary Moel | | | | Back at the Pen-Y-Pass Youth Hostel an excellent |
| Siabod and the Glyderau mountains on the other. | | | | vantage point of both Snowdon and the Llanberis |
| More distant can be seen the highest mountain in | | | | Pass itself can be captured with minimum effort. |
| Wales, Snowdon. These lakes provide a good | | | | Take the path which climbs the mountain side |
| subject, particularly with the surrounding mountain | | | | directly at the side of the Youth Hostel, heading |
| backdrop and a short walk will produce several | | | | up the Glyderau mountains. Within a very short |
| vantage points. Moel Siabod too provides the | | | | distance and minimal climbing the impressive views |
| perfect vantage point, either for an aerial shot of | | | | of Snowdon, Crib Goch, Crib y Ddysgl and down |
| the impressive valley or more likely the unbroken | | | | the Llanberis Pass itself are seen. This viewpoint is |
| view across to Snowdon. It’s also a relatively | | | | a much easier option than the “Pyg |
| gentle mountain to climb so requires a little less | | | | Track” and still provides some rewarding |
| energy than most in the area. | | | | photography. |
| Continuing along the A4080, passing the lakes of | | | | Back on the A4086, the road drops dramatically |
| Llynnau Mymbyr, several abandoned barns are | | | | down the boulder strewn Llanberis Pass towards |
| easily located and with a little effort can create a | | | | the village of Nant Peris, passing along the way a |
| very effective foreground to the distant | | | | series of waterfalls and mountain streams, each |
| Snowdon. The Glyderau mountain range towers | | | | increasing in drama and photogenic qualities |
| above the road all the way to the junction of the | | | | following heavy rainfall. Nant Peris itself provides |
| A498 and the A4086, the start of the | | | | an opportunity for a walkabout with the camera, |
| ‘not-to-be-missed’ Llanberis Pass. Parking | | | | there are also hiking routes up either side of the |
| near the Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel, allows access to | | | | pass, towards either Snowdon or the Glyderau |
| several hiking routes which climb the Glyderau | | | | mountains. Once again as the height increases so |
| – in my view the most distinct and feature | | | | does the mountain panorama that can be capture. |
| rich mountains around Snowdonia – don’t | | | | Continuing from Nant Peris towards Llanberis be |
| miss the rock formations of Yr Wyddfa and | | | | careful not to miss a hidden gem, Dolbadarn |
| Castell y Gwynt on Glyder Fach, essential | | | | Castle. It’s perched imposingly alongside the |
| photography subjects. One word of warning | | | | entrance to Llanberis but is hidden from view on |
| though, this area is extremely busy during peak | | | | approach. Fortunately signposts uncover its hiding |
| holidays so to capture a landscape shot devoid of | | | | place. The small climb to the castle produces a |
| people requires a very early start, alternatively | | | | surprisingly impressive panorama of the Llanberis |
| winter is much quieter and the weather often | | | | Pass, Snowdon and the Glyderau. The castle itself, |
| more conducive to photography. | | | | relatively unknown amongst Welsh castles, is a |
| Immediately after the Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel turn | | | | great subject – a “must visit” on my |
| right onto the Llanberis pass. This climbs steeply | | | | photography list. The lake of Llyn Padarn can be |
| and reaches the carpark & Youth Hostel at | | | | seen from the castle, together with the |
| Pen-y-Pass, the most popular starting place for | | | | numerous slate quarry workings scattered around |
| those climbing Snowdon. For the photographer | | | | the Llanberis mountainsides. Llanberis itself was |
| looking for some impressive aerial photographs, | | | | built around the Slate mining industry and retains |
| Snowdon will certainly not disappoint. From | | | | many of the scars, however these actually add |
| Pen-Y-Pass the "Pyg Track", is the route to take, | | | | to the photogenic qualities of this interesting place, |
| after a short distance the view to Llanberis and | | | | as does Llyn Padarn. Llanberis is also the base for |
| its lakes appears, an impressive sight and worthy | | | | the Snowdon Mountain Railway, a “must |
| of a photograph. Also from here mountain | | | | see” for train enthusiasts. It’s worthwhile |
| streams start to tumble down the mountain side, | | | | having a stroll around the village, streams and |
| great foreground interest. The routes here | | | | waterfalls can be found within a short distance, |
| provide many photographic opportunties, too | | | | Llyn Padarn is particularly photogenic. Another |
| many to describe tham all. Most notable however, | | | | series of hiking routes onto the surrounding |
| are Grib Coch, an ominous looking ridge only to be | | | | mountains leave from here too, the most popular |
| crossed by experienced hikers. There are two | | | | being the Llanberis Path which follows the route of |
| particularly photogenic lakes well below the | | | | the railway to the top of Snowdon. |
| mountain path, Llyn Llydaw and Glaslyn – a | | | | |