Hideaway in the Hills

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Dinas, the Hideaway in the Hills in Snowdonia. Self catering caravans, Camping with campfires and Pod

03/11/2026

Rhinog range complete

Today I ticked off the last 3 of the 9 peaks in the Rhinog range: Crib y Rhiw, Diffwys, and Diffwys West Top! 🥾🏔️

Had an early extended lunch waiting for the cloud to pass, and it paid off as it cleared up beautifully with some brilliant views.

Diffwys doesn’t get as much attention as Rhinog Fawr and Rhinog Fach, although its the second highest peak in the range and has great views over the Mawddach estuary..

The last time I crossed Pont Scethin, motorbikes were using the hump in the middle of the bridge as a ramp. Surely that can't be good for the integrity of such an ancient, historic bridge? Not to mention the deep trenches the bikes are tearing into the mountain paths, sad to see historic spots and fragile habitats getting damaged. I also spotted a couple of new stiles but the workers didn't take the old one away!

02/11/2026

Walked another 3 peaks over 2,000ft today—Rhinog Fawr, Rhinog Fach, and Y Llethr! ⛰️

I was hoping to squeeze in another three, but ran out of daylight. That’s the only real downside to hiking this time of year as the nights start drawing in! ⌚🍂

Decided to do a circular route from Nantcol instead of my usual Cwm Bychan start. Great to see the summit cairn on Rhinog Fawr has been repaired since I was last up there. 🏔️✨

Self-timer selfies is a sport in itself. In the 10-second window I press the button, sprint across uneven ground, try not to trip over a rock, strike a pose, pretend I'm completely relaxed, and hope I'm actually in the frame or my phone hasn't toppled over!🤣📷

01/11/2026

Another great day out in the local hills—the Rhinogydd! There’s so much to love ❤️.

First off, I love the local names. Rhinog, means "threshold". Moel Penolau translates roughly to "the last hill," and Moel Ysgyfarnogod is "the hill of the hares." (Moel literally means "bald," but it's used for a bare, grassy mountain top!).

Moel Penolau is a total fortress of a mountain with its sheer rock faces makes it the best defended mountain top in Wales. You skirt around the side, but it still requires a bit of scrambling. There are two ring contours marked on the map, so naturally, I made sure to visit both! But my absolute favourite thing about Foel Penolau is how it brings out the child in me—stepping across the slabs and rock fissures feels just like playing hopscotch, all set against fantastic views towards the estuary.

From there, it was a short walk over to Moel Ysgyfarnogod, complete with its cairn and trig point.

Finished up with a walk down past Llyn Du, (one of many!) following one of my all-time favourite tracks with its overhanging rocks and stunning sea views.

Two more peaks bagged! 🏔️🥾

31/10/2026

Yr Aran

I was delighted that my daughter joined me today for a stunning hike up Yr Aran at 747m - marking peak #5 peak out of the 189 🏔️ Welsh mountains over 2,000ft! 🥾

The autumn colours 🍂 were incredible, and the views went on forever. We had stunning lookouts over the Snowdon horseshoe, Mynydd Mawr and the Nantlle Ridge.

Stat update for my fellow mountain peak baggers originally I said there were 181 summits on the list, but after buying the newest edition of the Nuttalls (with some revised additions and deletions), the official count now stands at 189! 📚⛰️

184 to go—on to the next one! 💪

25/10/2026

Welsh 2000 - Foel Goch

I had itchy feet so decided to push ahead with my Welsh Nuttalls challenge despite Storm Buelo 🌧️🥾 and bagged Foel Goch in the Arenig range (not to be confused with the other two Foel Gochs in the Berwyn or Glyder ranges!).

Found out that the list has been updated from 181 to 190 peaks over 2,000 ft, but a short, grassy path meant no risk of getting blown off any cliffs today!

Last time I went up Foel Goch was June 17, 1996 (where all I remember is losing my keys 🔑). Approached from Llangwm in the north this time around rather than from the south.
2 down, 188 to go across 47 walks. Bring on the next one! 🏔️

24/10/2026

Castles, Cadw and Welsh history

Ticked two more off the list with visits to Rhuddlan and Flint!

That makes 5 so far on my £65 Cadw membership: Harlech, Criccieth, Caernarfon, Rhuddlan, and Flint. I haven’t quite broken even yet, but Conwy and Beaumaris are next on the list — after those, the membership officially pays for itself and the rest are bonus visits! 🙌

I was listening to Radio Cymru recently about bringing more Welsh history into the school curriculum. Historically, schools in Wales heavily prioritized wider British and English history, while I remember learning about the American War of Independence, leaving generations with little knowledge of our own country and local community —feeling almost robbed of the chance to learn our own history.

Hopefully the new curriculum will provide pupils a better understanding of their local community, heritage, and identity and give young people stronger roots, helping them truly understand their own nation's past.

As for me I’m hopeless at remembering all the historical facts, but I’m hoping the more of these castles I explore, the more of it will finally sink in! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿✨

Flint was the very first castle Edward I built in Wales (1277), quickly followed by Rhuddlan, where he diverted a whole river so his sea ships could sail right up to the gate.

23/10/2026

Peak Bagging - Y Garn

Join me by viewing how I tackle my new goal of walking the 181 mountain summits in Wales which reach the height of 2000 ft. A total of 49 walks.

I've started my challenge with a short 5 mile walk up Y Garn on the edge of Coed y Brenin forest north of Dolgellau. Not to be confused with the other 4, Y Garn, in Wales.

It didn't start well as I forgot my walking sticks but bought a new pair at the outdoor shop in Dolgellau so now I have a spare pair!

Now just waiting for some good weather so I can go on my next walk and bag myself some more peaks.

21/10/2026

On your bike

If the mountain peaks are shrouded in cloud, I prefer to take the bike out. Yesterday was ideal—a bit of rain, but no wind! 🚴‍♂️🌧️

I had an extra incentive, catching my daughter out on the Mawddach Estuary canoeing with her college mates as part of her Level 3 Sports & Outdoor Activities course. 🚣‍♀️✨

It made me wonder... is this what retirement feels like? One big holiday! One day visiting ancient castles, the next walking the Slate Trail, and another out on the bike.

I hope these posts inspire and give you ideas for your next stay with us at Hideaway in the Hills! 🏔️❤️

20/10/2026

Yeay, I did it! 🥳 The Snowdonia Slate Trail is OFFICIALLY complete! 🥾🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

The final stretch—11 miles from Capel Curig to Bethesda. I couldn't resist a quick stop at Plas y Brenin first for the ultimate photo: the Snowdon Horseshoe reflecting in the mirror-like Llyn Mymbyr.

The first section of the day was dominated by views of Tryfan and Pen yr Ole Wen and then hopping from rock to rock to try and avoid the boggy bits along the shore of Llyn Ogwen.

Second section of the day 5.5 miles from Ogwen to Bethesda. An easy level walk along the Nant Ffrancon valley back to the slate tips of the Penrhyn Quarry. I actually thought to myself I missed the slate. It was nice to see the slate fences again and even the slate tips look good sprinkled with trees in their autumn colours.

I did the 83 miles in 7 days but not in one go. Hats off for those who have. One advantage of doing the trail in consecutive days you don't have to worry about the logistics of getting back to the staring point. It's not the easiest with public transport although today was the exception. Simply caught the T10 bus from Bethesda to Capel Curig in just 18 minutes it was kinda heartbreaking as it took me 5.5 hours to walk it!

Conclusion
Overall, I enjoyed most of the slate trail and glad I've done it however it was such a glorious day I missed being on the mountain summits. I imagined they were calling my name beckoning me to climb them. I'm definitely a mountain girl at heart. ❤️🏔

At the end of the day, slate is in my blood and a heritage I'm proud of. Having gone to school in Blaenau Ffestiniog, living in slate country surrounded by slate roofs, and even having original slate flagstones in my house, it’s just a part of me
Though I do have a confession... I’m Team Blue all the way! It’s only natural for me to prefer the dark blue-grey of the Llechwedd and Oakeley slate! 💙🖤🩶🪨

And as a final thought, slate will always remind me of where I’m from, my roots, and home and thank you to Llwybr Llechi Eryri , The Snowdonia Slate Trail for reminding me.

12/10/2026

Day 5 Llwybr Llechi Eryri - Snowdonia Slate Trail: Llan Ffestiniog to Penmachno
(14 miles) 🥾⛰️

Waterfalls, mountains, lakes and dog owners.

I reckon this section has been the most enjoyable so far but ruined by a dog and its owners. It also has been the the longest at 14 miles.

The highlights were Cwm Cynfal, it's a fairytail location, Rhaeadr-y-cwm waterfall, the remoteness, and the mountains.

Unfortunately, the day was completely ruined by an off-lead dog coming up to me barking. I was just minding my own business walking the trail, but it turned into a full-blown argument with the owner. To top it off, they actually accused me of being on drugs! Well, I suppose I was on a high... as I was doing what I love, walking in the hills.

I’m really getting fed up with dog owners thinking it’s totally fine for their dogs to approach people and seeing zero wrong with it. I just dread seeing any dog on my walks, thinking is it going to be OK or not. I'd go as far as saying I wish they were banned from the mountains. That's why I don't allow dogs on my campsite.

Address

LL452PH

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01341241585

Website

http://www.hideaway-in-the-hills.com/

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