Summit Seekers

6miles of 47 miles in Feb for Surfers against Sewage!

Three sisters by the sea, a lovely loop that crosses some beautiful conservation areas. When the sun shines and you can smell the sea its a lovely day out!

Starting from the north end of the Nantlle Ridge in Rhud Ddu this is a lovely short circuit route taking in 3 of Wales highest 100 peaks. A short, punchy scramble across an exposed ridge connects Y Garn to Mynydd Drws Y Coed before you head up a short steep slope to the final summit of the day Trum Y Ddysgl. The whole route can be done in under 5 miles and 3 to 4 hours. This is also the beginning of Nantlle Ridge North to South route.

A stunning craggy mountain that towers over Beddgelert in Eryri (Snowdonia) North Wales. Taking the direct route from the village straight up the NE ridges there are some surprisingly technical steps towards the top that offer some interesting terrain. A steep climb up from the valley sees you at the summit within 2 hours, then following the wall directly to the west (right) of the summit carrys you steeply down to the Bwlch between Moel Hebog and Moel yr Ogof. There is a straightforward return through the forest which circles back round until you meet the main bridleway at the Base or you can follow this route which contours black around until you pick up the original ascent.

Leaving Lower Dovan, the trail continues through dense forest with a mix of gentle undulations before the path begins to dip more noticeably towards Bamboo and Sinuwa. After passing through these small settlements, you reach the long flight of stone steps that drops steeply all the way down to the river. It’s a big descent that really works the knees. From the river it’s time for the final major climb of the trek — a tough ascent back up the stone steps towards Chomrong. Once you reach the top and pass through the village, the trail turns downhill again for the last descent to Jhinu, where the warm hot springs sit by the river below. In Jhinu you finish your trek and pick up a jeep back to Pokhara, giving your legs a well-earned rest after a week in the mountains. The bumpy ride takes approx 3 hours and costs around 7000NPR.

Leaving Himalaya, the trail follows the narrow valley upwards, steadily climbing through forest and alongside the river. The ascent begins gently but soon becomes steeper as you approach Deurali, where the gorge opens and the landscape starts to feel truly alpine. From Deurali, the path is more exposed, with a mix of steady uphill sections and short, sharper climbs. As you gain height, the terrain shifts to rocky ground and open slopes, and the altitude becomes noticeable. The final stretch to MBC is a continuous, steady ascent on a clear trail beneath huge mountain walls. It’s not technical, but the thinner air makes it a solid effort. Reaching MBC brings you into incredible high-mountain scenery. If you’re feeling strong when you arrive, it’s possible to continue past MBC towards Annapurna Base Camp. The climb from MBC to ABC usually takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on how you’re coping with the altitude.

Leaving Upper Chomrong, you start with a long, steep descent on stone steps all the way down to the river at the bottom of the valley. From here, the trail immediately turns uphill again, climbing back on more steps towards Sinuwa. This section is a real test for the legs, with the classic “big down then big up” that the Annapurna region is famous for. From Sinuwa the path continues through beautiful forest, rolling gently at first before another steady climb up to Bamboo. After a short break here, the final stretch to Himalaya follows the narrowing valley, with a mix of rocky paths, forest sections and another set of steady ascents. The day is full of major ups and downs, especially those huge stair sections in and out of Chomrong, but the scenery gets wilder and more dramatic as you push deeper into the gorge. A tough but rewarding day on the way to the higher Himalaya.

From Tadapani, the trail begins with a steep descent on stone steps, dropping down through lush forest until you reach the river. From there, the path climbs steadily and gradually before easing into a short descent into Upper Chomrong. This is where the main teahouse and cosy coffee shop/bakery are located — a perfect place to rest and refuel. Tomorrow’s trek starts with a short downhill from Upper Chomrong, giving a gentle start to the day.

Leaving Ghorepani, the trail rises immediately, climbing out of the village in a similar style to the Poon Hill steps. This is the main ascent of the day. Once you reach the high point, the route settles into gentle undulations before dropping into long, steep descents through rhododendron and oak forest, following alongside waterfalls and lively streams. After Banthanti, the path continues to drop steeply again until the day finishes with a short, much steadier ascent into Tadapani. As you reach the village, the trees open to broad views of Annapurna South and Hiunchuli. As you enter the village there is a short 3 min climb on your left up to Panoramic View Hotel. This is by far the most comfortable and friendly place to stay, with views directly gazing up at Anapurna South Peak. Food is excellent and the rooms are reasonable starting from 500NPR. A varied day of forest, water and mountain scenery, with most of the effort spent on the beautiful descent.