Date: Saturday, 7 May 2011

Join The Bala & Penllyn Rotary Club on Saturday, 7 May 2011 on a Challenge/Charity walk. You may raise funds for your own charity, good cause or club. For approved charities or good causes with a minimum entry of 10 walkers, a donation will be made to the charity returning a significant part of the entry fee. Please apply before the event.

An opportunity to experience the marvellous scenery of southern Snowdonia with views of the largest natural lake in Wales, surrounded by three mountain ranges (Berwyn, Aran, Arenig) and possibility to see the natural wildlife including Buzzards and Red Kites. The route has been chosen to maximise the views over a variety of terrain including farmland, moorland and forest.

 Participants can raise funds for their own charity, good cause, or recognised club, alternatively they may just enjoy the walk knowing that your entry fee will help towards charitable purposes, such as: the North Wales Air Ambulance, Heart Research UK, the Mountain Rescue Service and local good causes. All participants that complete the challenge will receive a certificate.

Runners may participate but please note the later start. The event is not a race and there are a large number of stiles.

There is a choice of walk: 

• The Bala Challenge is a circular walk around Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid) including part of the Aran ridge, starting and finishing at the Penllyn Leisure Centre, in Bala. The walk is 20 miles (32 km) long with total ascent of 4,100-ft (1250m) and is expected to be completed in around 9-10 hours. The route is over low-lying hills (up to 2,000-ft (600m) height) using footpaths, sections of open moorland, quiet roads and for a short distance a main road. There are short sections which are steep. This walk is only for experienced walkers although it is possible to choose a shorter distance during the walk.

• The Bala Lake Circuit is a circular walk around Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid) starting and finishing at the Penllyn Leisure Centre, in Bala. The walk is 14 miles (23 km) long with total ascent of 2,700-ft (800m) and is expected to be completed in around 7-8 hours. The route is over low-lying hills (up to 1,500-ft (460m) height) using footpaths, sections of open moorland, quiet roads and for a short distance a main road. There are short sections which are steep.

•  The Bala Lake Ramble is a linear walk along the east side of Bala Lake starting at the Penllyn Leisure Centre, in Bala, and finishing in Llanuwchllyn. The walk is 8 miles (13 km) long with total ascent of 1,700-ft (510m) and is expected to be completed in around 3-4 hours. The route is over low-lying hills (up to 1,500-ft (460m) height) using footpaths, sections of open moorland and quiet roads. There are short sections which are steep. Return transport is possible by the steam railway (Bala Lake Railway) at a discounted price, or vehicle (which will be provided by the organisers).

• Guided Walk with a local expert who will provide information on local history. The walk is similar to the Bala Lake Ramble but slightly shorter and not as high. The walk starts at the Penllyn Leisure Centre, in Bala, and finishes in Llanuwchllyn - with the option of returning by narrow-gauge railway. The walk is 7 miles (11 km) long with total ascent of 1,400-ft (430m) and is expected to be completed in around 4 hours.

Lunch or refreshments may be purchased at the Eagles Inn and the Bala Lake Railway Station in Llanuwchllyn. There will be feeding stations at 8 & 14 miles.

Light refreshments will be available to participants at the Penllyn Leisure Centre in Bala after finishing (up to 1745).

Entry fees (minimum fee):

Advance entries: £8 per person (closing date: 1 May 2010)

Entry on the day: £10 per person

Family ticket: £32 (advance), £40 (on the day)

Children under the age of 12 are free (must be accompanied by a responsible adult)

Cheques to be made out to: “The Rotary Club of Bala & Penllyn”

Note that you may contribute all of your sponsorship (optional) or just pay the minimum entry fee. The proceeds from the entry fees & donations will be used by The Rotary Club of Bala & Penllyn for charitable purposes.

If you require acknowledgement of your entry please provide with your entry, either:

• an E-mail address or

• a SAE (stamped addressed envelope)

Route Information, rules, etc.: may be obtained in the following ways:

• Download from this website (7-days before event)
• By enclosing a large SAE enclosed
• Collect on the day

 Services to participants include:

• Car parking at the Penllyn Leisure Centre
• Route description with local information notes
• Checkpoint, marshals and signs
• Return transport where required
• Certificates for all finishers
• Refreshments at check-points
• Light Refreshments at the finish
• Assistance with problems.

Note that the entry fee covers expenses associated with the above as well as raising money for charitable purposes.

Summary of routes, distance, times, etc.

Penllyn Leisure Centre, Bala (SH 922355); Llanuwchllyn Railway Station (SH 880300)

 

 Timing

*to continue the walk you must arrive at the check-point (Llanuwchllyn & last “opt-out”) by the time given above. Anyone arriving within 30 minutes of the last opt-out cut-off time will be provided with transport to the finish. Refreshments will be available at the Leisure Centre Cafe up to 1745.

Return transport from Llanuwchllyn (Bala Ramble, 8 miles only): Trains leave Llanuwchllyn at: 1115, 1250, 1425, 1600 (more information) or transport provided by the organisers.

 

 Safety Aspects (see Rules and Advice for Participants)

All participants must agree to follow the guidelines and rules of the organisers including mandatory check-out at the finish.

Participants must seek medical advice on any prior condition.

Any participant 17 years or younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

The route is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

 Come for the weekend 

Why not make a weekend visit to the Bala and Penllyn area, there is a wide range of accommodation possibilities. Other activities available include:

• Mountain or scenic walking
• Whitewater rafting
• Sailing and canoeing on Bala Lake
• Biking on quiet roads or mountain biking through forests
• Penllyn Leisure Centre: indoor swimming, fitness room, café, etc.
• Many tourist attractions.

 For those that undertook the Bala Ramble, there is the option of walking the second leg from Llanuwchllyn to Bala on the Saturday. There will be no organisation provided but public transport is available using the Bala Lake Railway or local bus service.

Contact Bala Tourist Information Centre for more information (01678-521021) or look at VisitBala.

Acknowledgements

The Rotary Club of Bala & Penllyn is grateful for the support and assistance of:

• John Lewis Partnership for sponsorship

• Energy Solutions for sponsorship

• Ifor Williams Trailers for sponsorship
• Paddleworks-Adventure for supporting the event
• Bala Lake Railway
• Gwynedd Council for use of the Penllyn Leisure Centre.
• Long Distance Walking Association
• Snowdonia National Park Authority and Bill Taylor who led the guided walk
• Nereus, Bala
• Hywel Davies, Bala