LANDSCAPE & COMMISSIONED PHOTOGRAPHY
LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATION GUIDES:
Carnedd y Filiast, Deiniolen
Summary:
Best at / for: epic views across Snowdonia.
Best avoided: low cloud
Parking: free parking on approach to Marchlyn Mawr.
Access: steep hiking required, but no scrambling.
Notes: great wild camping locations at high elevation.
Details:
Carnedd y Filiast is the most northerly peak in the Snowdonia Glyderau range of mountains. It overlooks on one side, Marchlyn Mawr, the upper reservoir of the Dinorwig powerstation. And on the other side of the valley of Nant Ffrancon, which runs south-easterly from Bethesda up to Ogwen cottage.
Head for the village of Deiniolen to the north of Llanberis and follow the road as far up as you can, towards the reservoirs of Marchlyn Fach and Marchlyn Mawr. You’ll find a handy parking spot which puts you about half way up the ascent. Follow the track up to the top reservoir. The hiking route is well signposted and whilst steep, is not technical. This is a peak for those hikers who are realtively risk averse but wish to enjoy the views across the northen peaks of the National Park from a high ridge-line vantage point.
There is a good deal of camping options very close to the summit. A night on which can offer spectacular compositions for both sunset and sunrise.
For the photographer this is an interesting location in many types of conditions because of the panoramic views in 360 degrees allowing for the light to be exploited wherever it appears best. But you’d need to stay below the cloudbase, of course. In cloudy conditions there are still opportunities to capture the mood and drama of the mountains from this epic vantage point.