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.

Scrambles in Snowdonia – Quick Facts

Location: Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park, North Wales
Number of routes: 80
Duration: The quickest approx. 20 minutes, with longer routes tackled across multiple days
Regions covered: Carneddau, Glyderau, Snowdon group, Eifionydd, Moelwyns, Rhinogs, Cadair Idris
Route type: Mountain scrambles, ranging from easy hands-on walks (Grade 1) to serious rock climbs and exposed ridges (Grades 2, 3, 3S)
Difficulty: Graded 1 to 3S; suitable for experienced scramblers through to mountaineers seeking technical challenges
Terrain: Rugged ridges, rocky summits, steep crags, airy arêtes, vegetated gullies, and classic mountain corridors
Navigation: 1:25,000 OS maps, detailed route descriptions, colour photo topos, grid references
Best season: Spring through autumn (all routes are described as summer scrambles)
Highlights: Iconic routes (Snowdon Horseshoe, Tryfan, Bristly Ridge), remote wild areas, panoramic views, classic and lesser-known scrambles
Equipment: Sturdy boots, helmet, and scrambling gear recommended; rope and basic climbing equipment for harder routes
Accommodation: Hostels, bunkhouses, campsites, guesthouses, and hotels in Llanberis, Ogwen Valley, Dolgellau, and surrounding villages
 

Author Highlight

“Since its first publication in 1980, Scrambles in Snowdonia has served thousands of existing scrambling enthusiasts, and no doubt helped to convert many more from the ranks of hill walkers and rock climbers. This is not an entirely comforting thought. Unroped scrambling, however exhilarating it may be, is potentially the most dangerous form of mountaineering. There have been times when – alone, unroped and in trouble halfway up some remote and uncharted face – I have vowed never to go into the mountains again. I break the vow regularly, but grow ever more cautious. There is no way of entirely eliminating the risk, only of reducing it. No mountain is worth a life, yet without mountains perhaps no worthwhile life remains to be lived.”

- Steve Ashton, author of Scrambles in Snowdonia

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 Arête
Route 27    Notch Arête
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 Arête
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 Arête
Route 52    Needle's Eye Arête
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 Arête (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 Arête (including Table Direct option)
Conwy
Route 80    Penmaenbach Arête

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

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.

We do not yet have any updates available for this book

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