Nant Ffrancon

Valley in Caernarfonshire

Wales

Nant Ffrancon

Emerging onto flat ground A few minutes after <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1671327">SH6562 : Down the headwall of Cwm Ffynnon Lloer, winter conditions</a>, and just about at the top of the steep frozen snowslope that covered the scree on the hillside. The steep craggy buttresses of Craig Lloer are visible behind the climber, with a tiny patch of open water in Llyn Lloer in the depths of the cwm below. — Emerging onto flat ground Credit: Richard Law

Nant Ffrancon is a picturesque valley located in the county of Caernarfonshire, in the north-west of Wales. The valley is situated within the Snowdonia National Park, known for its stunning natural beauty and diverse wildlife.

The valley is surrounded by majestic mountains, including Tryfan and the Glyderau range, providing a dramatic backdrop for visitors to enjoy. The valley is also home to the Nant Ffrancon Pass, a popular route for hikers and cyclists looking to explore the rugged terrain and take in the breathtaking views.

Nant Ffrancon is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a range of activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and birdwatching. The valley is also home to a variety of plant and animal species, making it a great spot for nature lovers to explore and appreciate the local flora and fauna.

Visitors to Nant Ffrancon can enjoy the tranquility and serenity of the valley, as well as the opportunity to immerse themselves in the stunning natural surroundings. Whether it's a leisurely stroll or a challenging mountain climb, Nant Ffrancon has something to offer for everyone seeking a peaceful escape in the heart of Snowdonia.

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Nant Ffrancon Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.143862/-4.0375727 or Grid Reference SH6362. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Emerging onto flat ground

A few minutes after SH6562 : Down the headwall of Cwm Ffynnon Lloer, winter conditions, and just about at the top of the steep frozen snowslope that covered the scree on the hillside. The steep craggy buttresses of Craig Lloer are visible behind the climber, with a tiny patch of open water in Llyn Lloer in the depths of the cwm below.

Richard Law

Foel Goch and Y Garn from the block field on Moel Perfedd

Eric Jones

Tai-newyddion (new houses) on the map

Now this is the Snowdonia Mountain Hostel, in a wonderful setting.

David Medcalf

The old road up the Nant Ffrancon

David Medcalf

Fields in the Nant Ffrancon

David Medcalf

Looking down the Nant Ffrancon

David Medcalf

The A5 heading south from Bethesda

The conical peak of Tryfan at centre

Eirian Evans

Pen yr Ole Wen from across Llyn Ogwen

Pen yr Ole Wen is the seventh highest mountain in Snowdonia and is the same height as England's highest, Scafell Pike. It is the most southerly of the Carneddau range.

Eirian Evans

Cairn on the summit of Carnedd y Filiast

On the other side of the Marchlyn Valley is Elidir Fach with the disused Marchlyn Quarry on its north-eastern flank.

Eric Jones

View north along Nant Ffrancon

The Nant Ffrancon is a steep-sided glacial valley which runs between Bethesda in the north to Llyn Ogwen in the south, a distance of about 3½ miles. The A5 road runs along the east side of the valley, the original road, Lord Penrhyn's Highway, runs along the west side of the valley. The Afon/River Ogwen meanders along the floor of the valley.

Mat Fascione

Nant Ffrancon

Mat Fascione

View south along Nant Ffrancon

Mat Fascione

Path contouring below Foel Goch

Rather than ascend and redescend the summit of Foel Goch, this path allows walkers to make an easy traverse of the hillside below that hill, when they're walking between Elidir Fawr and Y Garn.

Richard Law

View directly down Cwm Dudodyn

Something of a hanging valley above Nant Peris, Cwm Dudodyn has a stream which flows into Llyn Peris more or less here SH6058 : Looking over Llyn Peris. On the far side of the valley are the hills of Yr Wyddfa, with Moel Cynghorion and the Nantlle Ridge beyond that again.

Richard Law

Wind shelter and a standing stone on Mynydd Perfedd

The wind shelter looks to have been recently rebuilt, it's certainly tidier than it was in 2007 SH6261 : Cairn shelter on summit of Mynydd Perfedd and SH6261 : Summit Cairn of Mynydd Perfedd, and is a perfect place to sit and boil up a packet of soup. The slightly tilted standing stone in the foreground isn't marked on the OS maps, nor recorded by any of the archeological surveys that I can find, so I'm assuming it's not of antiquity.

Richard Law

On the plateau edge, north of Mynydd Perfedd

Between Mynydd Perfedd and Carnedd y Filiast there's an extensive grassy plateau area with steep-walled cwms bitten out of the eastern side by glaciers. This is the view along the boundary line between those two habitats, with ever-steepening ground on the right.

Richard Law

The steep eastern face of Mynydd Perfedd

The 'headwall' of Cwm Perfedd is mainly comprised of steep(ish) scree and boulders with a partial covering of heather and grass.

Richard Law

Grassy spur between two cwms

This grassy hillside separates Cwm Perfedd (off to the left) from Cwm Bual (down to the right) and initially at least provides a very reasonable descent route into the Nant Ffrancon from Bwlch Brecan, It becomes quite a bit steeper and more entertaining further down.

Richard Law

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Nant Ffrancon is located at Grid Ref: SH6362 (Lat: 53.143862, Lng: -4.0375727)

Unitary Authority: Gwynedd

Police Authority: North Wales