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Snowdon via Lliwedd from Pen y Pass
By Dave Roberts
Published – September 3, 2011
4.5/5 (2)
Snowdon via Lliwedd from Pen y Pass
Further Details
Route Summary:
An alternative ascent for the avid scrambler who doesn’t want to climb Crib Goch.
Start and Finish: Pen y Pass
Distance: 6.78 km
Ascent: 908 m
Time: 3hrs 30mins
Timings are approximate and depend on the individual. Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.
Before You Walk up Snowdon, ask yourself – Are you equipped? Do you know what you’re doing? Are the conditions safe? If you answer no to any of these, stay safe, don’t go! Check the weather forecast and make sure you know about walking up Snowdon in the Snow. If you lack experience – hire a Snowdon Mountain Guide.
Facilities:
There’s a good cafe at Pen-y-pass as well as the cafe bar at Mallory’s in the Youth Hostel opposite.
Public toilets are available at Pen y Pass.
Public Transport:
Sherpa Buses allow you to reach the Ranger from Porthmadog/Beddgelert, Llanberis, Caernarfon and Betws-y-coed. Park and ride available from Nant Peris.
See our page on Walking up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) using Public Transport
Traveline for UK Public Transport
Parking:
IN SEASON – LIMITED & PRE-BOOKING required! 8 hrs – £18 / 8-12hrs – £25 / 12-24hrs – £40. Park in Nant Peris for the Park and Ride.
Off Season – £10 a day – card only
See our Yr Wyddfa Snowdon Parking 2023 page for full information
Hazards:
Scrambling, Navigation and steep scree on the final section of Watkin.
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Walk up Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon Safely Navigation and the Gear and Equipment you’ll need.
Check the Weather before setting out.
We reccommend Met Office Snowdonia and MWIS and live conditions on Adventure Smart – live conditions
Snowdon via Lliwedd from Pen y Pass Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download
Download file for GPS
Snowdon via Lliwedd from Pen y Pass
The summit of y Lliwedd is usually taken as a descent route, an anticlimax to the Snowdon Horseshoe. Failing to make the cut for the 15 peaks, it still makes a worthy trip in it’s own right when time is short, or as a more challenging route to the summit.
Snowdon via Lliwedd from Pen y Pass Route Description
1 Start the route along the Miner’s Track from Pen y Pass. This ascends gently to Llyn Llydaw.
2 At Llyn Llydaw, take the path left along the shore, which winds it’s way gently before ascending to the start of the steep section.
3 After the 529 spot height, the route turns into an easy scramble. So long as you get the line right, there are no real problems other than some sections that are loose underfoot. It’s only 200m of ascent, and once you top out on the ridge, the walking becomes much more pleasant.
4 The path continues its way around, with some easy scrambles, some steep sections – but nothing on the scale of Crib Goch. Pass the minor summit of Lliwedd Bach, or climb it if you wish, and then the going gets rockier for the final section to the twin summits of Lliwedd. Take in the views – they’re spectacular.
5 From the summit, descend roughly NW, with multiple possible routes to join the Watkin Path at Bwlch y Ciliau. It’s loose and steep in places, and care is needed.
6 Follow the Watkin Path along towards Bwlch y Saethau, before it zig-zags steeply to join the Rhyd Ddu path just below the summit. This section can be hard going – especially so under winter conditions where any slip could be fatal.
7 Once on the ridge proper, turn right towards Hafod Eryri, and the steps can be easily followed to the summit.
We recommend you descend either via the Miner’s Track or the PYG Track!
In Descent – you can follow the route above in reverse, keeping an eye out for the Watkin Path fingerpost above. After descending to Bwlch y Ciliau, you need to make sure you don’t miss the path that forks left for Lliwedd.
Descending to Pen y Pass, the main descent path is clear enough due to use in clear weather.
Dave Roberts
Related Posts
Walk up Y Lliwedd from Nant Gwynant
The Alternative or South Snowdon Horseshoe
Walk up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) From Pont Cae’r Gors
Live Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon Conditions
We Recommend…
Recommended Walking Guides: A Pocket Guide to Snowdon: A Guide to the Routes of Ascent, The Ascent of Snowdon: The Six Classic Routes Up Snowdon, Snowdon – The Story of a Welsh Mountain: Biography of a Mountain
Walking Books – Snowdonia Ridges of Snowdonia: The Best Ridge Walking, Mountain Walks: The Finest Mountain Walks in Snowdonia, Great Mountain Days in Snowdonia , Day Walks in Snowdonia, Mountain Walking in Snowdonia
Recommended Maps: OS Explorer OL17 Snowdon & Conwy Valley, MiniMap | Snowdon , Snowdonia BMC (British Mountain Map), Snowdonia North XT25
Gear You May Need
Faultless little scramble with unrivaled views.