Scrambles in Snowdonia

Discover the rugged summits and wild ridgelines of Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park, Wales’ mountainous heartland and the UK’s premier destination for scrambling. From the iconic North Ridge of Tryfan and the thrilling Bristly Ridge to the majestic Snowdon Horseshoe and the dramatic Cyfrwy Arête of Cadair Idris, each route promises exhilarating adventure amid some of Britain’s most spectacular landscapes.

Ideal for experienced scramblers and mountaineers with a head for heights, this definitive Cicerone guidebook presents 80 graded scrambles across Snowdonia’s four great regions: the Carneddau, Glyderau, Snowdon group, and Eifionydd, as well as the finest outings in the Moelwyns, Rhinogs, and Cadair Idris. Routes span scrambling grades 1 to 3S, ranging from scrambly walks to serious challenges involving technical difficulty and exposure, catering to all abilities.

Explore celebrated areas within Snowdonia National Park, including Llanberis, Ogwen Valley, Dolgellau, and the remote wilds of the north, each a gateway to unforgettable mountain adventures in Eryri.
Features all the classic scrambles of Snowdonia National Park, Snowdon Horseshoe, North Ridge of Tryfan, Bristly Ridge, Cneifion Arête, Cyfrwy Arête, alongside 16 outstanding new and lesser-known routes across Eryri for those seeking quieter corners.
Includes 1:25,000 OS mapping and clear photo topos for every scramble in Snowdonia National Park, ensuring straightforward navigation and clear route-finding, even on intricate terrain in Eryri.
Practical advice covers essential equipment, safety, ropework, public transport, emergency procedures, and how to progress on steep ground in Snowdonia’s varied terrain, giving you the confidence to tackle everything from gentle ridges to challenging rock faces within the National Park.
Each route is accompanied by at-a-glance information on approach time, altitude, aspect, route length, grading, conditions, and grid references for both the scramble and parking, making it easy to plan your day exploring the peaks and valleys of Snowdonia National Park.
All scrambles are described as summer routes in Snowdonia National Park and require previous experience in exposed mountain environments. Routes are graded from 1 (easiest) to 3S (most serious), with clear explanations and tips to help you choose the right adventure in Eryri for your ambitions.


Plan your scrambling adventure in Snowdonia with confidence using the definitive Cicerone guidebook, and discover the untamed beauty and unique character of Wales’ most celebrated mountains.

Seasons

Early March to the end of October

Centres

Most of the routes are in a small area, with Llanberis and the Ogwen Valley making good bases. The southern routes are accessed from Dolgellau.

Difficulty

Caters for both adventurous walkers and those seeking challenging mountaineering outings. There is a clear progression of difficulty. Grade 1 routes could be tackled by fit and experienced hill walkers. Grade 3 routes require knowledge of rope work and sound mountaineering judgement. All require a head for heights.

Must See

Includes all the classic routes such as the Snowdon Horseshoe with Crib Goch traverse, all the best routes on Tryfan, Bristly Ridge, Cneifion Arête, the Llech Ddu Spur, Nantlle Ridge and the Clogwyn y Person Arête, Cyfrwy Arête on Cadair Idris and routes on Rhinog Fach and Fawr.

Map key
Overview map
Preface
Updaters' note


Introduction
Area covered by the guide
Selection of routes
Using this guide (including explanation of grades)
Equipment
Basic rope technique
Maps
Access
Bases
Public transport
Accidents and emergencies
A final cautionary note


The Carneddau
Route 1 Southern Ridge Circuit
Pen yr Ole Wen
Route 2 Braich Ty Du Face (including Pinnacle Ridge and Porcupine Ridge)
Route 3 Broad Gully Ridge
Route 4 Craig Lloer Spur
Carnedd Dafydd
Route 5 Crib Lem (Llech Ddu Spur)
Route 6 Eastern Ridge of Black Ladders
Carnedd Llewelyn
Route 7 Craig yr Ysfa Amphitheatre


The Glyders
Route 8 Cwm Bochlwyd Horseshoe
Tryfan
Tryfan East Face
Route 9 Tryfan Bach Approach
Route 10 Bastow Buttress Variant
Route 11 Nor' Nor' Buttress Variant
Route 12 Nor' Nor' Gully
Route 13 Nor' Nor' Groove
Route 14 North Buttress Variant
Route 15 Little and North Gullies
Route 16 Pinnacle Rib Variant
Route 17 South Gully
Route 18 South Buttress
Tryfan West Face
Route 19 North Ridge
Route 20 Milestone Buttress Approach
Route 21 Milestone Gully Approach
Route 22 Milestone Continuation
Route 23 Wrinkled Tower (aka Wrinkled Slabs and Castle Chimney)
Route 24 West Face Route
Route 25 V Buttress
Route 26 V Ar&##xea;te
Route 27 Notch Ar&##xea;te
Route 28 Y Gully
Route 29 South Ridge Direct
Glyder Fach
Route 30 Bristly Ridge
Route 31 The Chasm Face
Route 32 Main Gully
Route 33 Main Gully Ridge
Route 34 East Gully Ridge
Route 35 East Gully
Route 36 Shark Buttress
Route 37 Dolmen Ridge
Glyder Fawr
Route 38 Gribin Ridge
Route 39 False Gribin
Route 40 Cneifion Ar&##xea;te
Route 41 Maybe Tower Rib
Route 42 Seniors' Ridge
Route 43 Seniors' Gully
Route 44 Direct Approach to Seniors' Ridge
Route 45 Idwal Staircase and Continuation
Route 46 North West Face Route (aka Idwal Buttress)
Route 47 Bryant's Gully (aka False Bryant's Gully or Nant Ettws)
Route 48 Esgair Felen Direct
Y Garn
Route 49 Devil's Kitchen and the Sheep Walk
Route 50 East Ridge
Foel Goch
Route 51 South Ar&##xea;te
Route 52 Needle's Eye Ar&##xea;te
Route 53 Yr Esgair
Carnedd y Filiast
Route 54 The Ridge (aka Atlantic Ridge)


Snowdon group
Route 55 The Snowdon Horseshoe
Crib Goch
Route 56 East Ridge
Route 57 North Ridge
Route 58 Jammed Boulder Gully
Route 59 Traverse of Crib Goch
Crib y Ddysgl (Garnedd Ugain)
Route 60 Crib y Ddysgl
Route 61 Cwm Glas Mawr Approach
Route 62 Clogwyn y Person Ar&##xea;te (including Parson's Nose options)
Route 63 Cwm Glas Ridge
Route 64 Llechog Buttress
Route 65 Llechog Ridge
Route 66 Eastern Terrace of Clogwyn Du'r Arddu
Route 67 Western Terrace of Clogwyn Du'r Arddu
Snowdon
Route 68 Tregalan Couloir
Route 69 Y Gribin and the East Ridge
Lliwedd
Route 70 Traverse of Lliwedd
Route 71 West Peak via Bilberry Terrace


Eifionydd
Route 72 Nantlle Ridge
Craig Cwm Silyn
Route 73 Craig Fawr Rib (aka LMH)
Mynydd Mawr
Route 74 Sentries' Ridge and Continuation
Route 75 Bear Buttress


Outlying areas
The Moelwyns
Route 76 Moel Siabod Ridge Circuit (including Daear Ddu Ridge)
The Rhinogs
Route 77 South Face of Rhinog Fawr
Route 78 South Ridge Variant, Rhinog Fach (aka Hywel Ridge)
Cadair Idris
Route 79 Cyfrwy Ar&##xea;te (including Table Direct option)
Conwy
Route 80 Penmaenbach Ar&##xea;te


Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Longer combination ideas
Appendix C Useful contacts