Meet time: 09:15 am
Start time: 09:30 am
(Estimated finish time 17:00)
Grading: Moderate 7.34 miles / 11.9 km
Ascent: Approx. 1054m / 3,458 ft
Start point: Car park at Pen y Pass. Grid reference for start point is SH 647 557.
Postcode: LL55 4NY
Car parking: There is parking available at Pen y Pass but you are required to book and it is expensive. I would recommend using the park and ride options at Sherpa’r Wyddfa stops. I will be getting on the Sherpa’r Wyddfa at Nant Peris at approximately 08:45. The timetable can be found here – https://www.sherparwyddfa.wales/times.shtml
It is the responsibility of each walker to make sure they understand where to park. If you are not sure where the car parking/meeting point is, you must contact the walk leader at the latest the day before the walk. You should not rely on mobile phones or postcodes. There is often no mobile reception near walk meeting points and postcodes are for the nearest place nearby but should only serve as a guideline. Please allow plenty of time to find a parking space so that walks can start promptly.
Description: The Snowdon Horseshoe from Pen y Pass.
The day begins at the Pen y Pass car park and we immediately join the Pyg Track from here. No one is sure why the track is called this but it is possibly named after Bwlch y Moch (Pigs’ Pass) which is actually where we leave the track. We would have been walking for about 500 metres as this point. The path forks with the right path taking us to Crib Goch. This route is notorious for being a considerable scramble (so please be aware of this before agreeing to join the walk) before reaching the knife edge ridge, so we will take our time hear and enjoy the climb. Once we reach Crib Goch (923m) we should be able to see all of the of the horseshoe and have magnificent views in all directions. There is about 400m of the ridge we need to traverse and you may need to use hand and foot holds to steady yourself on the uneven terrain. At the end of the ridge is the pinnacles which you can either scramble or walk around.
We descend from Crib Goch onto Bwlch Coch, which is a col between Crib Goch and Garnedd Ugain. This area is flat and will be ideal for a stop. From here we need to again scramble up to Garnedd Ugain but this is easier than the ascent to Crib Goch. You may be aware that both Garnedd Ugain and Crib y Ddysgl are used for this peak but Crib y Ddysgl is the east ridge while the summit is Garnedd Ugain. Before we even reach the summit we will be higher than anywhere in England. Garnedd Ugain (1065m) is second highest point in Wales and has a Trig Point so we can’t miss the summit. When we descend from here we converge onto the Llanberis route which is the main route people use to ascend Snowdon.
After about 1000m metres on the Llanberis route and with the railway in sight we reach Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa (1085m). The name in english means ‘snow hill’ but in welsh means ‘Rhita Cairn’ which is a giant that was killed and buried on the mountain by King Arthur. Snowdon is the busiest mountain in the UK and conveniently has a café if anyone requires a drink or food on the summit. The railway has been running since 1896 and takes people from Llanberis to the top of Snowdon. On a clear day you can see Ireland, the Isle of Man and also Scafell Pike from here.
After a well deserved stop at the summit we will continue on the horseshoe via Watkin Path. We follow the path until we reach Y Lliwedd (898m). The west peak is the highest point and once we round the ridge line the path descend steeply to the Llyn Llydaw reservoir. The route is now obvious back to the car park at Pen y Pass. We cross a small bridge near the reservoir and I intend to talk a short detour to causeway but everyone will have the option to continue on the Miners Track back to the car park rather than doing this.
This walk is a social weekend camping trip. Details for Camping can be found in the link below;
Friday 11th August to Sunday 13th August – Cae Gwyn Campsite (Nant Peris) – SuMMit Good
Please contact Jack on 07517 765959 by 9pm on Friday 11th August if you are coming on this walk.
Please check the weather and bring appropriate clothing (waterproofs and spare warm clothing as the weather can change quickly), footwear and enough food and water. The leader reserves the right to turn away any walker not suitably equipped. The leader may cancel the walk or modify the route dependent on conditions.
New members: please note the walk leader may ask for more information about your walking experience. This is to ensure you have the fitness required to complete the walk that is planned safely.