Introduction
Snowdon, the highest summit in Wales, is a firm favourite with many people and it offers walks to suit most tastes. It is like someone pinched this mountain out of Glen Coe as it would compete well with those classic mountains in Scotland for excitement, height, grandeur and ruggedness. It takes just over two hours to reach Snowdon from Manchester by car.

A superb view of Snowdon and Crib Goch seen from Y Garn

Snowdon at dawn seen from the south east

Snowdon seen from Moel Siabod

Pen-y-Pass is a very popular starting point for many wwalks. Two easy routes from here take the Pyg track and the mining track. These two tracks go up the corrie of Llyn Llydaw and meet above Glaslyn where the path continues as a good track on a steep slope. There is reasonable opportunity for sun bathing by both lakes and both routes are quite busy ways up. Another easy way up starts from Llanberis and essentially follows the railway track. You can stick to the ridge and have excellent views down steep long slopes and cliffs to the Pass of Llanberis This way up sees some of the smaller cliffs of Clogwyn Goch and other such delights.

The Pyg track and Crib-y-Ddysgl

Moel Eilio seen from Glyder Fawr

Llanberis and one of Snowdon's long
ridges rising above it

The western approaches to Snowdon are slightly quieter and see paths rise up from Rhyd-Ddu and the Swondon Ranger Youth Hostel by Llyn Cwellyn. These paths follow open grassy hillside onto the noses of nice broad ridges. Both these routes then converge on the southern ridge of Snowdon where a narrow neck on the ridge lies between the path junction and the summit.

Another starting point is Hafod-y-llan in Nantgwynant south of Snowdon. This is probably a quieter route taking either the well worn Watkin path up to the summit or meeting the western approaches on the col between Snowdon and Yr Aran. Either path begins with an ascent into Cwn Llan where an extensive disused quarry lies.

The Snowdon Horseshoe
The classic traverse is of course the Snowdon Horseshoe. It is well publicised and its reputation for being scary and narrow is spot on. The entire route is a grade one scramble. The first time I traversed the route I was petrified but the second time wasn't a problem. The first (and most difficult) obstacle are the crags appearing to bar the way up the east flank of Crib Goch. Almost any route can be taken up (at varying levels of difficulty) but the easiest route requires a bit of trust at one stage as the way ahead lies hidden while traversing round a steep bulge with a 20m drop beneath. Once above the first obstacle the way up is straightforward but intimidating and very steep on both sides.

Snowdon seen from the Crib Goch ridge

Crib Goch and its north west ridge seen from Y Garn

The Clogwyn-Y-Person Arete - the steeper alternative to Crib Goch!

A small platform on the eastern end of the summit ridge provides the last opportunity for snacks. The north ridge is the only reasonable escape from here. The onward ridge is very narrow with a vertical 100m drop on the north side and a super steep scree drop on the other side. The ridge doesn't last long (about 200m) and then it's time for the pinnacles! The first two can be traversed easily on the left or climbed with little exposure. It's safest to climb the third pinnacle as the way round is on steep loose craggy ground. This pinnacle requires an exposed 'step ladder' ascent with a large drop beneath you. After the third pinnacle, the way forward is easy and straightforward in comparison.

An easy escape route lies on the col between Crib Goch and Garnedd Ugain that drops northwards into Cwn Uchaf. The way ahead to Garnedd Ugain takes the Crib y Ddysgl ridge that offers milder but still exciteing scrambling at times. The rest of the traverse is fantastic but beware, the scary bit may be over but don't be complacent about the descent from Snowdon. It's steep and loose and attracts a lot of accidents. The shapely summit of Y Lliwedd provides a fantastic finish to a great day.

Crib Goch seen from Llyn Glas

The North West ridge of Snowdon

Another scramble, also grade 1 but easier is the Y Gribin ridge rising from the outlet of Glaslyn. From all routes approaching the ridge, it looks steep, scary and intimidating but an ascent of the ridge didn't feel exposed and there were plenty of opportunities to stop and rest. The ascent is over very quickly and doesn't feel as high as it looks. It provides a good introductory scramble.

The northern corrie of Moel Eilio

On the ridge of Moel Eilio

Snowdon's Satellite Hills
A satellite ridge that shoots off west of Snowdon comprises of a grassy hill called Moel Eilio. It has a steep north facing corrie and provides a pleasant ridge walk and is a good vantage points of the main Snowdon range. It can be climbed from either Llanberis to the north or Llyn Cwellyn to the south.

The western slopes of Moel Eilio

The view north west from Snowdon

South of Snowdon lies the shapely little summit of Yr Aran. This summit offers a fantastic view of Snowdon and its south ridge but is hardly climbed by anyone else. The view down to Beddgelert and the Afon Glaslyn valley is quite superb and can't even be seen from Snowdon.

Yr Aran - a satellite peak off Snowdon's south ridge

Yr Aran seen from Snowdon

Snowdon seen from Yr Aran

Y Lliwedd is the summit on the southern arm of the Snowdon horseshoe. It's a superb hill and is propped up by what are probably the highest cliffs in Snowdonia. The route to the top from Snowdon is a scramble but an easy one at that. The view of snowdon from it's summit is probably the most menacing offered!

Moel Siabod & Dolwydellan
Closer to Capel Curig, the summit of Moel Siabod dominates the village. It rises to 872m and has two fine ridges both offering mild scrambling overlooking a secluded corrie. The approach from Capel Curig takes you on a tour through Welsh mining history and much is in evidence. Just be careful not to fall into the big excavated holes in the ground. The south east ridge of Moel Siabod offers some nice easy scrambling interspersed with walking and is very fine. The north east ridge continues from the summit in a narrowing rocky ridge that offers fine rocky walking overlooking some 200m high cliffs. The summit is worth climbing as there are different parts of Wales to see that can't be seen from the higher summits to the west. It makes an easy day to nurse a hangover!

The North East ridge of Moel Siabod

Moel siabod seen from Capel Curig

The walk of Moel Siabod can be continued westwards in a big arc of hills encircling the pretty village of Dolwydellan. This walk is starts with the summit of Moel siabod and goes down a pleasant grassy ridge offering the finest view of Snowdon you could ask for. Once on a col, progress becomes more strenous with many peat bogs and rock intrusions continueing Southwards towards the hills above Blaenau Ffestiniog. Here, the ridges become chaotic and with many delightful sharp summits lining the continuation of the ridge round the south side of Dolwydellan.

Moel siabod seen from the south west

The hills south of Moel Siabod on the other side of Dolwydellan

The walk here overlooks two contrasting valleys, one with plenty of active industrial activity and one of serene tranquility. The walk back down into Dolwydellan drops into a forestry plantation before walking out on a forest track back into Dolwydellan.