UKC

Hi folks

I am a Derbyshire climber, although I don't get to climb nearly as often as I'd like to.

Thing is I have been kidnapped by friends & family and taken to North Wales. Apparently, as "The Climber" I have to take the kids for some easy fun climbing on the real stuff.

Two have climbed indoor so they're ok with harnesses and ropes, leading sport climbs, two are novices.

I'm totally unfamiliar with North Wales though. Never been before. We are staying kind of halfway between Llandudno and Betws Y Coed, happy to drive a way if it gets us to a good crag.

Hopefully people that know the area well will be kind enough to help me out with some local knowledge.

I'm looking for a little bit of fun rock where I can get them to do some single pitch stuff. Mostly top rope, but the experienced two would be ok learning to second trad and cleaning the route, as long as it's nothing too intimidating.

Kids age ranges from 8 to 12. Prefer it if the descent / walk off isn't too dicey as kids can get put off more by that than doing actual climbing.

Does anyone know of anywhere that would suit us please?

Over that way I’d probably be choosing Clogwyn Cyrau above Betws y Coed or Conwy Mountain. Craig y Tonnau is nice over that way too.

On the Llanberis side Lion Rock and Craig yr Undeb would be good. (V short walk ins).

Thank you, I'll look them up

I'd say Craig y Tonnau.  Mainly easy, but  not covered in massive ledges so feels quite real.  Descent is a fairly safe scramble and you do it on the way to the crag anyway.  Nice flat bottom of crag.

Having just done something similar with my wife and her sister's family. We opted for Craig yr Undeb.

Craig y Tonnau is great for this sort of thing but if there's PyB minibuses at the parking go somewhere else, a single group can dominate it.

Carreg y Foel Gron is a good choice, or Plateau Walls in Maenofferen quarry.

Good shout.  That first wall at Carreg y Foel Gron has got loads of easy routes and it is very close to the parking

Craig yr undeb has a lot going for it. Lots of easy routes, but quite ordinary in terms of quality. Whereas Craig y Tonnau is much more challenging. Routes seem quite long because they tend to be quite steep, intense and sustained. The route quality there is IMHO exceptional. Some of the best easy (i.e. sub VS) single pitch routes I have done anywhere.