004: Arenig Fach

SOLITUDE 004: ARENIG FACH Saturday 16th January 2027 £95 per person | Maximum 6 | Jacob-led Solitude is a numbered collection of mountain days chosen because I think they are genuinely worth doing. Usually quieter, rougher and a little less obvious than the classic Eryri routes, each edition explores a different corner of the mountains in a small group. For Solitude 004 we head onto Arenig Fach, a mountain almost completely overshadowed by its larger neighbour across Llyn Celyn. THE ROUTE At 689m, Arenig Fach does not look especially intimidating on the map. The ground tells a rather different story. Starting beside Llyn Celyn, we’ll head away from the road and into the rough heather, bog, broken slopes and faint traces of path that characterise this side of the Arenig range. The summit will be the centrepiece of the day, but this will not simply be the shortest possible out-and-back. We’ll use the surrounding terrain to build a proper mountain journey, with the exact line shaped by weather, ground conditions and the group. Expect modest mileage but slow, physical terrain where route choice matters. WHY THIS DAY? Arenig Fach is exactly the sort of mountain Solitude is for. It is ignored by most walkers in favour of Arenig Fawr, yet the roughness of the ground and its position above the Migneint give it a genuinely wild feel. Paths are scarce, other walkers scarcer still, and in January it can feel remarkably remote for a mountain sitting so close to the road. This is a day where the terrain matters far more than the height. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE You should have reasonable hill fitness and be comfortable spending a full day on wet, rough and often pathless mountain ground. Previous hill walking experience is strongly recommended. No scrambling experience is required. WHAT’S INCLUDED A full mountain day led by Jacob in a maximum group of six. Route choice, pacing and mountain judgement throughout the day. Pre-event advice covering kit, weather, travel and meeting arrangements. PRIVATE BOOKINGS Looking for a private Arenig day, a different date or something completely different? Private Mountain Days are available throughout the year from £375.