Pen Yr Ole Wen
By Grace Kelly
Wales 
Grace is a passionate hiker and all-round outdoor adventurer, taking on mountains across the UK and around the world, having summitted the highest peak in North Africa, Mt Toubkal at 4167m. She shares her adventures, advocating a love for solo travel and encouraging other females to embrace this.
Route:
The route begins at Ogwen Cottage in Snowdonia (paid parking here or several free lay-bays down the road). Following the route up the South Ridge of the mountain, enjoying some light scrambling sections and a scree path to reach the summit with breath-taking views across the Carneddau range and the Ogwen Valley. Then heading down the Eastern side of the mountain (if you're lucky, spotting the Ogwen Valley ponies) and coming out on the Eastern side of Llyn Ogwen to follow the lake and the main road back to the carpark.
Follow The Route On ALLTRAILS >
4 hours / 4.5 miles
Some experience ideal due to scrambly sections
Water, food, hiking boots, warm layers, a waterproof, headtorch and first aid kit (optional: collapsible walking poles)
Hiking Key
The Look
Comfy, breathable, lightweight on my feet and the grip gave me so much confidence on the rocky terrain. Also, GORE-TEX is a must-have for me to ensure my feet stay dry and warm.
Women's Moab Speed GORE-TEX
I love these trail shoes; they were so light but cushioned well and allowed such supported dynamic movement on the trails with great grip too.
Women's MTL Long Sky 2
Field Notes:
I love this trail as the views are just breathtaking in every direction, even from just 100m up. It does start of pretty steep, and it has some scrambly sections to add an extra element to the hike but nothing too technical, so I feel it's a great intro to scrambling for those wanting to expand on their hiking skills. There are SO many photo op's all the way up which allow for breathers and snack breaks, as well as a number of great camping spots if you fancy a wild camp. There's also a flowing stream and mini waterfalls all the way down if you want a refreshing cool-off in the warm summer months! If you want to extend this hike, you can do a horseshoe of the full Carneddau range, taking in Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llewelyn also, a 9-mile circular so make sure you have plenty of daylight, good conditions, and the right kit.
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Good To Know
Only suitable for dogs who are used to the mountains and steep up/down segments. The small carpark at Ogwen Cottage can fill up quickly, but there is free parking on the main road, which means less of a walk back when you end the hike. The car park has toilets and a small hole-in-the-wall café serving hot drinks and snacks - always a welcome addition to a hiking trail!
"Pack a tripod! I hike solo a lot, so my trusty tripod is responsible for a good 90% of my photos."
When To Visit
Spring, Summer or Autumn. Opt for a dry and low-wind day to be safe and to enjoy to its fullest.
Q+A:
Why do you love hiking?
For me, hiking is a way to clear my head, take a break from my responsibilities and day to day life, and to let both nature and altitude broaden my perspective on things and allow for some all-important headspace and solitude.
What the one non-safety-essential always in your bag?
A tripod! I hike solo a lot, so my trusty tripod is responsible for a good 90% of my photos. (oh, and always gotta pack a peanut butter snickers…)
What words of encouragement would you give to someone thinking about getting into hiking?
Grab your boots and get out there! Just start small and local to build up your confidence and get familiar with some navigation apps. Don't be afraid to make mistakes or to be a beginner - we all have to start somewhere, and mistakes are where you'll learn the most. Just make sure you have your phone, a power bank, navigation and the right kit and you'll do great.
Dream next hiking destination:
I'm desperate to hike some trails through Switzerland and Slovenia!
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