Stride and Stroll Walks – Saturday 26 November

Twenty six walkers met in Rhyd Ddu on a beautiful sunny morning, but only 7 headed off to Beddgelert on the bus. With Guto leading the way this group of Strollers took the Lon Eifion trail back to Rhyd Ddu for an enjoyable walk. Edmund was out on his first C&D walk since his op and apparently took it in his stride - great to see him walking with us again. They rounded the walk of in the Ty Mawr tearoom, and some of them were still in Rhyd Ddu when the Striders arrived, so we made the meet this time.

The 19 Striders seem to enjoy the rather convoluted route I had devised, though were perhaps a little surprised to be heading up the Snowdon path from Rhyd Ddu at the start! But soon we were weaving our way through Beddgelert Forest, not as high as intended due to felling taking place, but still with stunning views stretching from Moel Eilio in the north, past snow covered Snowdon in the middle and down Moelwyn Bach and beyond in the south – and of course, the start of Nantlle Ridge just above us.

Being on the forest tracks meant that we could spread out and chat while walking, rather than following a path in single file. Good for me at the front to have varied company all day, though I did have to rein in Dave Stephens when he started power walking, definitely striding! Back in Rhyd Ddu some had to head home, but about a dozen of us finished the day with a very convivial half hour in the Cwellyn Arms.

Plenty of cheery faces at the end of the day, which seems to show that with the right company and good weather a low level walk in the mountains can be just as enjoyable as a day on the tops.

Dave