Ridge Guide: Y Lliwedd in Snowdonia

While in the vicinity of Snowdon, take the opportunity to rock-hop this fine ridge.

Y Lliwedd has a long mountaineering history – its north face plays host to climbs that date back to the early days of the sport. Pioneering climbers were attracted to it because of the similarities its towering buttresses had to the great Alpine faces. The routes up it are long and rambling and have a strong mountaineering flavour. This face sets the scene for the character of the mountain and although its south face is less steep the whole mountain has an airy verticality to it. While not in the same technical league as the routes on the north face the summit crest shares the same lofty sensations, and provides a rock-hopping ridgeline that is thoroughly rewarding to cross. It’s normally climbed as a bit of an afterthought to Snowdon, usually as the final leg of the Snowdon horseshoe, but this fine crest deserves individual attention and is a great trip in its own right. It makes an ideal first scramble as it’s relatively low in its grade, and do it from east to west to get most enjoyment.

The Miners’ Track from Peny-pass provides a convenient approach to Llyn Llydaw. Before the Causeway turn left off the track and follow the path that climbs the steep rounded ridge towards Lliwedd Bach. 1 Llyn Llydaw For the best scrambling stick as close to the main crest as possible, first over East Peak and then onto West Peak. 3 The narrow crest over Lliwedd Bach is followed directly to the summit of East Peak. 2 Y LLIWEDD A series of steps and terraces lead all the way down the north-west ridge of West Peak to the col at Bwlch Ciliau. 4 East Peak West Peak Lliwedd Bach Bwlch Ciliau From Bwlch Ciliau, Snowdon’s summit can be gained either via the Watkin Path or, for a bit more scrambling, via the south-east ridge. 5