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Scramble up Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd

By Dave Roberts   

Published – September 3, 2011

  4.75/5 (4)

Posted in Hard Route, Scramble, Walking Routes up Yr Wyddfa Snowdon, Walks up Yr Wyddfa Snowdon from Pen y Pass

Scramble up Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd

Further Details

Route Summary:

Y Gribin is a grade I scramble that provides a rare moment of solitude on this busy mountain

Start and Finish:

Distance: 11.52 km

Ascent: 825 m

Time: Allow 6 hours

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:

This is a scramble to be attempted only by those with experience and a head for heights!

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 Guidebooks:

Recommended Snowdon Maps: 

Scramble up Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

Download file for GPS

Scramble up Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd

This magnificent little scramble up the Y Gribin ridge on Snowdon, starts off from the Miners’ Track at Glaslyn and is over far too soon! The ridge only climbs 200m, but is quality all the way. As an added bonus, it is exceptionally quiet even on the busiest summer days.

Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd Route Description

First follow the Miner’s path as far as Glaslyn.

1 At Glaslyn, cross the outflow stream and head directly up the blunt ridge ahead. Ensure that you glance back at those on the Miner’s Track who are rather intrigued as to why you’re going the wrong way. You can scramble directly on the rock, or take the path around to the right. You can also ascend the initial section slightly lower down the Afon Glaslyn, which takes a truer line along the ridge.

Scramble up Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd on Snowdon

2 – The ridge flattens out at the 646 metre spot height, and it’s well worth delaying any break until this spot. You’re directly above Llyn Llydaw, and more importantly away from the crowds on the busier paths.

Scramble up Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd on Snowdon

3 – Looking up, the ridge steepens considerably from this point onwards. Don’t let it intimidate you however, as it’s a very short ridge and as soon as you warm up, it’s over. Towards the sky line, there are a couple of rocks that protrude like horns that mark out the top of the ridge.

Scramble up Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd on Snowdon

4 – The trick to the Gribin ridge, like for most, is to keep as true to the ridge as you can. It’s generally straightforward enough to follow, though you’ll need to be keeping an eye out for some scuffed and polished rock, as well as the short sections of path in between. The trickiest move is early on, though you can avoid this again by keeping to the ridge.

Scramble up Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd on Snowdon

 

5 – Beyond this first tricky move, the ridge is mainly large steps which shouldn’t pose any issue to the seasoned scrambler. There’s usually more than one option available for most, including the final step. While you can ascend directly between the horns, you can also scramble around them to the right. A cairn marks the summit.

6 – The Gribin ridge ends quite abruptly, giving way immediately to grass. Head uphill from here, and in a minute or two arrive at a small tarn.Scramble up Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd on Snowdon

Scramble up Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd on Snowdon

7 You can continue past this and hit the Watkin Path if you want to ascend Yr Wyddfa. Or you can ascend Y Lliwedd by keeping to the crest of the ridge to the left. There’s still some scrambling to be had, along with some exposure, certainly a better line than the Watkin below which you’ll  finally join towards Bwlch Ciliau.

Scramble up Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd on Snowdon

8 – The ascent of Y Lliwedd is best taken directly. While there is a loose path that avoids most of the scrambling to the right, all the fun is on the rocks. It’s all easy scrambling as well, so if you’ve ascended Y Gribin, you won’t want to miss out on even more scrambling.

Scramble up Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd on Snowdon

9 – The summit flattens and there’s the first grass since the bwlch. The first summit, the West Peak, is the higher of the two at 898m, compared to the 893 for the East Peak. This makes a wonderful ridge walk, with views being equally wonderful in all directions. The path descends steeply but easily enough, with a few large steps that need down climbing, before flattening out.

Scramble up Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd on Snowdon

10 – The descent to Llyn Llydaw is steep in places and involves a couple of sections that need down climbing. However, there are multiple routes to choose, and the ease of descent will depend on the choices you make on the day. It’s not difficult, but by this point you’ve finished the serious scrambling and you just want a steady descent without any such annoyances.

Scramble up Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd on Snowdon

11 – The path soon levels out, with a few steps here and there, before easing off completely as you approach Llyn Llydaw. It’s just a matter of turning right past the green hut and following the Miner’s Track back to Pen y Pass.

Scramble up Y Gribin Ridge and Y Lliwedd on Snowdon

For more images, visit Mud and Routes.

 

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

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