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Date: 26/08/2017.
Distance: 7.5km.
Ascent: 320m.
Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Weather: Hot and sunny.
Last time I was in Wales was August Bank Holiday 2012, back when I was working in the Midlands briefly, and quite a regular visitor. Since then, I have rather neglected it, so when the opportunity came to kill 3 birds with 1 stone came around (see my parents, catch up with a couple of old schoolfriends, go on the Snowdonia meet), I couldn't refuse.
Having left Inverness on the 6:50am train in mediocre weather and managed to miss various connections along the way, I was rather pleased to be stepping off the train at Llandudno Junction slightly earlier than scheduled into warm sunshine
. I had originally been due to be picked up by my parents in Bangor late afternoon, but since they were out walking on Conwy Mountain, it seemed a better idea to get off the train early, set off up the same hill and meet them on the summit.
Boats and scousers in Conwy First I fancied a stroll over the old Conwy bridge, which I somehow managed to miss. As is typical for an August bank holiday, Conwy was hoaching with noisy scousers.
Old Conwy crossing and railway bridge On my way to the hill, I decided to walk around a short section of the old town walls - worth it for a look over the town, even if I ended up going round in circles a bit!
On the town walls 
Town walls 
Town walls After taking a few more wrong turns, I found my way through back lanes onto the spine of Conwy Mountain, where the views opened up almost straight away. It really is an easy climb, although my heavy bag (full of about 9 days worth of holiday and bothying stuff) held me back a bit.
Finally out of the town 
Sheep drop?! Conwy Mountain isn't even a Marilyn, but it packs a lot of punch for a small hill close to civilisation, and the views out over the Great Orme and Anglesey were good.
Conwy estuary 
Tal y Fan with eastern Carneddau behind 
On Conwy Mountain There was some good timing involved - shortly after passing the highest point (which isn't overly obvious), I spotted my parents coming the other way.
Great Orme 
Coast road and railway 
Summit of Conwy Mountain 
Penmaen Bach After they had been to the top, we all dropped back down to the head of the Sychnant Pass (which is like a big mountain pass in miniature), then down to the car at the foot of the hill.
South to Tal y Fan 
Down the Sychnant Pass 
Allt Fawr We were parked conveniently close to the Fairy Glen Inn, which made a handy stop-off for tea. Oddly the following day, when I caught up with a friend, we ended up unintentionally doing a very similar walk and eating in the same pub again. No imagination!
