A HALE Barns school has been putting pupils through their paces as part of an extra-curricular walking group.

The pupils from St. Ambrose College were introduced recently to the school's hillwalking club on what is considered bby many as an iron man challenge.

The latest test for 12 pupils aged between 11 and 13 was Snowdon, but not up the popular Pyg or Miners tracks but from the far more challenging route to the south east of the mountain from the idyllic village of Rhyd Ddu, a spectacularly scenic ascent with views of the Menai Straits and the Welsh lakes below but also with thigh sapping inclines.

Led by the college's head of religious education Matthew O'Neill, supported by the IT manager Louise Haynes, the group 'Saint Ambrose Scramblers' first walked to Bwlch Cwm Llan before heading northwards along Allt Maenderyn.

Matthew said: "We chose this one because it is quieter and offers stunning views into Cwm Tregalan, a dramatic glacial cwm and therefore more opportunity to appreciate the geography, geology, history, biology and botany of this wilderness.”

He added: “It is a great thing for the boys because it awakens a love of the mountains which for many will become a life-long passion.

"They also learn to rise to a challenge and to develop a love of physical fitness with a handful of boys each year completing the Three Peaks: Scafell Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis, through the club.”