The Snowdon Horseshoe
Britain's finest ridge walk south of Scotland: across the knife-edge of Crib Goch to Yr Wyddfa and Y Lliwedd.
- Distance
- 12 km
- Ascent
- 1020 m
- Time
- 4.5–6 h
- Grade
- Hard
- Route
- Circular
- High point
- 1085 m
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Route mapped on from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on . For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.
About this walk
The Snowdon Horseshoe is a hard 12 km circular walk with 1,020 m of ascent, taking 4.5 to 6 hours. It starts at Pen-y-Pass (grid reference SH 647 556). It climbs 4 listed hills, the highest Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) at 1,085 m. The start can be reached by public transport.
The Snowdon Horseshoe circles Llyn Llydaw and Glaslyn below Yr Wyddfa, the highest mountain in Wales. It starts with Crib Goch, a narrow, exposed knife-edge ridge that's a grade 1 scramble: in wind or wet, it's genuinely dangerous.
From Crib Goch the route crosses Crib y Ddysgl to the summit of Yr Wyddfa, then descends the Watkin Path a short way and traverses the twin peaks of Y Lliwedd before dropping to the Miners' Track. Book parking at Pen-y-Pass in advance or use the Sherpa buses.
Route
-
1
Crib Goch
Follow the Pyg Track to Bwlch y Moch, then scramble up and along Crib Goch.
-
2
Yr Wyddfa
Cross Crib y Ddysgl to the summit of Yr Wyddfa.
-
3
Y Lliwedd
Descend towards Bwlch y Saethau and traverse Y Lliwedd.
-
4
The Miners' Track
Drop to Llyn Llydaw and follow the Miners' Track back to Pen-y-Pass.
Summits
924 m
1065 m
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
1085 m
898 m
Other routes up these hills
Questions about this walk
- How long does The Snowdon Horseshoe take?
- Most walkers take 4.5–6 hours for the 12 km route, which has 1,020 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
- Where does the walk start, and where can I park?
- It starts at Pen-y-Pass (grid reference SH 647 556). Pen-y-Pass car park must be booked in advance; or park at Nant Peris and take the bus.
- Can I get there by public transport?
- Sherpa'r Wyddfa buses link the valleys around Yr Wyddfa, Ogwen and Capel Curig. Check times on Traveline Cymru.
- How hard is it?
- It's graded hard. An exposed knife-edge scramble on Crib Goch; rocky ridges; steep, rocky paths.
- Which hills does it climb?
- Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) (1085 m, Hewitt, Welsh 3000); Crib y Ddysgl (1065 m, Hewitt, Welsh 3000); Crib Goch (924 m, Hewitt, Welsh 3000); Y Lliwedd (898 m, Hewitt).
- Can I take my dog?
- It isn't recommended for dogs. Before you go: Crib Goch is a serious scramble with big drops: if in doubt, take the Pyg Track instead.
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