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Y Lliwedd

3A | AD | III Edit route
Y Lliwedd is a well-known mountaineering ridge on the south side of Snowdon, often climbed as part of the Snowdon Horseshoe. It offers a more serious and less frequented scrambling experience than the main walking routes. The route involves broken rock, ledges, and short steep sections, with route-finding needed in mist. It is exposed in places and can feel much more alpine than the mountain's hiking paths. In winter or poor weather it becomes a much more committing climb. It is a classic objective for scramblers and mountaineers seeking a ridge route on Snowdon.

Route Outline

Pen-y-Pass or Miners' Track approach -> Llyn Llydaw / Glaslyn area
Approach to the south side of Y Lliwedd
Climb the rock steps and ledges of Y Lliwedd
Continue along the ridge to the summit area
Descend by the same route or continue to Snowdon via the Snowdon Horseshoe

More routes on Snowdon - Yr Wyddfa

Crib Goch

3A | AD | III
Crib Goch is the classic alpine-style ridge on Snowdon and one of the most famous mountaineering routes in Britain. It is a narrow, exposed arête with sustained scrambling and significant fall exposure on both sides. The route is usually climbed in dry, settled conditions and is serious in wet, icy, or windy weather. Hands are used throughout much of the ridge, and route-finding is important, especially around the pinnacles and bypasses. It is commonly treated as a Grade 1 scramble in UK terms, but it is the most mountaineering-like of Snowdon's standard routes. The route finishes by joining the main summit ridge before the final ascent to Yr Wyddfa.
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South Ridge

2A | PD | II
The South Ridge is a documented mountaineering line on Snowdon, rising directly toward the summit from the southern side. It is less famous than Crib Goch but still provides a genuine alpine-style ridge ascent with scrambling on rocky ground. The route is generally less exposed than Crib Goch, though it still requires care in poor visibility or wet conditions. It is valued for its directness and for giving a more mountaineering-oriented ascent than the tourist paths. The terrain is mixed, with sections of easy climbing and ridge walking. It is a sensible objective for parties wanting a straightforward but real mountain route on Yr Wyddfa.
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