(Introduction)
(Location)
(Staff)
(Contact)
(Ogwen Update)
(Course Photographs)
(Ogwen Cottage and the National Curriculum)
Location
Ogwen Cottage is situated on the A5(T) at the head of Llyn Ogwen and the opening of to the Nant Ffrancon Pass. GR.
I : 50,000 SH 1 15 650603. From the City of Birmingham follow the M6 North, then the M54 and then continue on the
A5 (North Wales). Or alternatively from the M6 onto the M56 and onto the A55 (Chester to North Wales). The Centre is 4½ miles from Capel Curig. It is possible
to catch a train to Bangor and arrange for Centre transport to collect a group from the station.
View a Location Map
Mountain Walking
The Centre is surrounded by the precipitous slopes of the mountains of Snowdonia. To the north the Carneddau, a
plateau-like massif of 100 square miles, offer excellent walking of a lakeland fell nature, whilst Tryfan and the
Glyderau in the east and south-east respectively, offer more demanding scrambling expeditions. The mountain walks,
even on sunny summer days are all quite serious. There are very few low level walks in the immediate vicinity and
it would be necessary to transport a group to the less hostile forested areas of the Gwydr plantations during bad
weather.
Rock CLimbing
The Ogwen valley undoubtedly offers one of the best introductory rock climbing areas in the British Isles, and the
Centre takes full advantage of its position. From the rhyolite buttress known as the 'Milestone' to the quartz
veined slabs of Idwal, students are introduced to the skills of the rock climber. The dolerite cliff scarp of
Tremadog offers escape in bad weather and climbs of a more advanced nature for the more able pupils.
Canoeing/Kayaking
The lakes and rivers form an integral part in providing a most impressive landscape. Llynnau Mymbyr and Afon
Llugwy offer an ideal facility for the introduction of canoeing. The lower forested slopes of Moel Siabod border
the eastern aspect of the lake whilst the rocky ridges of the Snowdon massif provide a backcloth to the south
west. The river can be followed at a comfortable standard for one mile then to become a torrent which would only
be undertaken by the more skilled participants of the sport of white water canoeing.
Orienteering
The forest of Bryn Engan which spreads itself in a mixture of larch, spruce, beech and the indigenous oak
across the base of Moel Siabod, provides an ideal area for orienteering. This sport has a certain aesthetic
quality which when combined with the physical and mential potential of an active and interested participant,
is rewarding in its entirety.
Sea Level Girdling
In complete contrast the rugged north coast of Anglesey provides adventure which seems to capture the imagination
of all our students. Sea level girdling, climbing by traversing the base of the impressive metamorphosed rocks
of Holy Island. These quartzite cliffs folded under great pressure, and battered by the gales of the Irish sea,
are themselves remote bastions which harbour unusual flora and fauna, but provide an atmosphere not dissimilar
to the cliffs and misty corries of Snowdonia. The open beaches on which waves unfold on the fine sands of
Treaddur Bay and Rhosneigr, provide yet another source of outdoor adventure. The surf and coastal exploration
in canoes often highlight a summer mobile camping expedition.
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