Western Gully

Valley in Caernarfonshire

Wales

Western Gully

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

Western Gully is a picturesque valley located in the county of Caernarfonshire, Wales. Nestled amidst the stunning Snowdonia National Park, this valley offers breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere that attracts nature enthusiasts and hikers from around the world.

The valley is encompassed by towering mountains, with the majestic peaks of Snowdon and Glyderau dominating the skyline. As a result, Western Gully benefits from a unique microclimate, with an abundance of rainfall that nourishes the lush vegetation and cascading waterfalls that adorn the landscape.

The valley boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a haven for wildlife lovers. Rare species such as the red kite, peregrine falcon, and otter can be spotted in their natural habitats, adding to the allure of this natural wonder.

For adventure seekers, Western Gully provides an array of outdoor activities. Hiking and climbing opportunities are aplenty, with challenging trails that lead to panoramic viewpoints offering unparalleled vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The valley is also intersected by the Afon Colwyn River, providing opportunities for fishing and canoeing.

Western Gully is not only a natural paradise but also steeped in history and culture. The remnants of ancient settlements and hill forts can be found scattered throughout the valley, offering a glimpse into the area's rich past.

With its awe-inspiring scenery, abundant wildlife, and a plethora of outdoor activities, Western Gully is a must-visit destination for those seeking solace in the embrace of nature.

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Western Gully Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.148196/-3.9891618 or Grid Reference SH6763. 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

On the hillside above Glan Dena

On the first part of the climb up from the A5 at the eastern end of Llyn Ogwen, heading for a fine winter day out around the hills of the southern Carneddau. The route on this occasion took the Wrekin Mountaineering Club members directly up the steep headwall of Cwm Ffynnon Lloer, a line of ascent that wouldn't normally be at all wise due to masses of loose scree high up, but with a covering of frozen snow on the ground it was perfectly viable SH6562 : Down the headwall of Cwm Ffynnon Lloer, winter conditions

Richard Law

Fallen blocks

Large blocks of sandstone have fallen from the steep hillside. They preserve features such as bedding, cross-stratification and ripple-marking. In these sandstones are recorded the erosion of volcanic highlands to the north, and the deposition of the debris by braided rivers crossing wide plain to the contemporary ocean. All belong to the Llewelyn Volcanic Group (ordovician, Caradoc age).

Jonathan Wilkins

Competent crags

Rock outcrop here is showing fewer signs of periglacial erosion and more evidence for flowing, solid ice which has carried away blocks quarried from the flanks of the valley. The cliffs of Y Braich form the backdrop to ground which is covered with moraine deposits.

Jonathan Wilkins

Change of rock-type

Rockfalls from the southern margin of Craig y Llyn are mostly of a dark grey sandstone (Llewelyn Volcanic Group) but there are also pale blocks of rhyolite. Looking up the slope shows a contact between grey sandstone and pale grey rhyolite, actually welded ash-flows of the Capel Curig Volcanic Formation. The silica-rich volcanic rock weathers to a very pale grey colour and is distinctive in outcrops. Both rock types are of Ordovician, Caradoc age.

Jonathan Wilkins

Craig y Llyn

A cliff face developed in hard, volcanic rocks belonging to the Capel Curig Volcanic Formation (Ordovician, Caradoc). A rowan tree is growing on a rather inhospitable cliff face, but probably only survived because sheep could not reach it. The Capel Curig Volcanic Formation represents the accumulation of rhyolitic tuffs which were erupted from volcanoes spread between Tryfan and the northern coast beyond Conwy. It is chilling to consider the violence of eruptions which would hurl red-hot clouds of ash as far as 25km before they coalesced and hardened, often under water.

Jonathan Wilkins

Eastern flank of Pen yr Ole Wen

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. Seen from across Llyn Ogwen.

Eirian Evans

Looking down on Cwmglas Mawr

Dave Croker

Rocks and the steep NE face of Mynydd Du

The steep slope beyond drops down into Cwm Pen-llafar on the right, about 600ft below

Richard Law

Rocky outcrop on the ridge of Mynydd Du

This is a slightly different view of the same set of rocks shown in SH6564 : Rocky outcrops on the Mynydd Du ridge

Richard Law

Steeply down into Cwm Pen-llafar

A drop of about 600ft very steeply down into the cwm below. I'd not recommend it as a descent or ascent, unless you were training for something.

Richard Law

The head of Cwm Pen-llafar, seen from the Mynydd Du ridge

The steep Black Ladders (Ysgolion Duon) cliffs lie just out of sight on the right, sporting a series of fine winter climbs.

Richard Law

Down the ridge of Mynydd Du

A view downhill towards Bethesda town, just visible over the hillslope.

Richard Law

Incipient path forming on the slopes of Foelcraig

A walkers' path, narrow and unobtrusive at present. There were clear bootmarks in a patch of scree a little further up from here, but it'll probably never be a popular ascent route for the Carneddau, as it's much longer than the obvious route(s) from Ogwen.

Richard Law