Scrambling in Snowdonia: Exploring Lesser Known Routes

What better way to change the tune of monotony than an exhilarating weekend of scrambling in Snowdonia!

Over the last few weeks I’ve found myself feeling dull & routinely, needing some time away, a break from this new ‘normality’. Craving time off the beaten track, up in the mountains where the only thing that matters is the next adventure, I packed the van up and headed off for a long weekend of mountain biking & trail running on some lesser known routes in North Wales.

Wales felt far enough away to be a decent break; it’s always refreshing to be amongst a different landscape. Variety offers new perspectives, so this breakaway, scrambling in Snowdonia felt like a much needed little holiday. Keen to avoid the crowds & bustling hotspots, here are a couple of routes from my weekend scrambling in Snowdonia;

Tryfan north ridge & bristly ridge.

This route is a classic, quintessential grade 1 scrambling. It’s one of the most popular routes in the UK, for good reason too, it’s an accessible, fairly straightforward grade 1 scramble in the Ogwen Valley. The circular route taking in Tryfan, Glyder Fach, Castell Y Gwynt & Glyder Fawr before descending down Cwn Idwal is nothing short of spectacular. Navigation is not overly tricky, although the vast array of options on Tryfan can easily put you in a more difficult situation. The heather terraced path is another option to avoid some of the trickier sections on the ascent up Tryfan.

From Tryfan, there is quite a steep descent down to the foot of bristly ridge, although it does give plenty of time to assess options & routes up the ridge. The path will direct you left initially, although it can become easy to lose sight of as the summit will appear up to your right & other routes will become visible.

I chose this route first simply as I know it & am comfortable with it. I’ve spent more time riding, then running & scrambling this summer, so it allowed me to get my eye in before tackling some other stuff. That said, the saying goes that you never do the same route up Tryfan twice!

This was very much a hit and run on Friday morning, with an early start meaning I could be out of the Ogwen valley by lunch time before the weekend hoardes arrived. Although not quite as bad as Snowdon & Crib Goch, an early start or midweek approach is the only way to avoid the crowds – given its accessibility, it does unfortunately become very busy. Please park responsibly on the A5.

https://www.ukhillwalking.com/logbook/r/?i=76

Llecht Ddu Spur

I found this route super enjoyable & an incredible way to get above 1000m in the Carneddau. Finding it was hardest bit, once out of Bethesda the approach is around 4km along a well-established grassy single track with the Afon Llafar to your left. The path deteriorates at this point and the ridge is fully in view. From the base, the route is not obvious at all – instead you’ll find yourself looking up at a rather impassable crag. Skirt further round, scrambling over a steep grassy boulder field & the route becomes more obvious at this point. Once on the ridge itself, navigation becomes much easier. Although still exposed in places, hand and footholds are plenty and the terrain is no more technical than other grade 1 scrambles.

It’s a superb 8 mile loop from Bethesda over Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewelyn & Yr Elen, one which really will feel a world away from the crowds of the Ogwen Valley.

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/how-to-scramble-the-llech-ddu-spur

Nantlle ridge

One I’ve had my eye on for a while. What it lacks in height, it makes up for in distance. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to do the full traverse – I had hoped it would make for a superb sunset adventure with views out to sea, however the clouds (the only clouds in Wales!) had other ideas and engulfed the entire ridge as I was making my way along it.

Nantlle ridge is neither tricky in terms of technicality, or navigation. However logistically it presents a challenge; you’ll either have to traverse the ridge both ways, or accept a long ground level return.

https://www.mudandroutes.com/routes/nantlle-ridge-circuit-from-rhyd-ddu/

Y Gribin

Given the popularity of the Ogwen valley & the lure of big mountain summits, I was amazed to find I had this ridge all to myself. Perhaps that was more to do with the conditions, as once again, it was raining – I should probably mention in this blog that it rains a lot in Wales! From the A5, you really are spoilt for choice, with the Carneddau one side & the Glyders the other.

This ridge heads almost directly to the summit of Castell Y Gwynt. However, the scrambling doesn’t begin until the 800m line, where it’s simply a steep ascent via either Llyn Idwal or Llyn Bochlwyd. At about 800m, the clearly visible route veers around to the right of the ridge & provides a well-protected route to the summit. The wind does tend to pick up quite a lot in the Ogwen valley, so it’s well worth considering wind direction and gusting speed before taking on this – or indeed any high level mountain scramble.  

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=13945

The weekend wasn’t all scrambling in Snowdonia; I think it’s impossible for me to go away without taking a bike! Although a trek from north Wales, the Elan Valley is a gem for mountain biking. From Rhayader, a huge network of gravel tracks, the Transcambrian trail & some decent singletrack makes for an epic day out on two wheels. Well worth checking out.

Summer is rapidly drawing to a close here in the UK & I for one am glad of it. Beauty spots & national parks across the UK have become increasingly more popular this summer, with more and more people choosing to holiday at home, the impact is showing. National parks are clamping down big time on things which a blind eye was previously cast – mainly due to the irresponsible and obvious nature of which they’re being carried out; fly camping, littering, parking, overcrowding. I won’t dwell on the subject, there is enough bad press around this subject at the moment.

With travel restrictions & quarantine rules changing seemingly on a daily basis, Covid & Brexit dominating the UK news and generally a big change to what we consider normal, I’ve found it difficult to find headspace this year. Uncertainty around what we can do with holidays, where we can travel & what restrictions will be in place has meant even taking a break requires more thought & planning.

Whilst I hope this blog helps provide some inspiration for anyone on the pursuit of adventure, looking to go scrambling in Snowdonia, please go prepared & equipped, respect the environment & leave no trace.