Home » Snowdonia Walks » Walking Routes up Yr Wyddfa Snowdon » Walks up Yr Wyddfa Snowdon from Pen y Pass » The Snowdon Horseshoe Scramble
The Snowdon Horseshoe Scramble
By Dave Roberts
Published – March 5, 2015
5/5 (4)
The Snowdon Horseshoe Scramble
Further Details
Route Summary:
The Snowdon Horseshoe is one of the classic UK mountain days – recommended for fit and experienced hill-goers only.
Start and Finish:
Distance: 12.17 km
Ascent: 1061 m
Time: Allow 8 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 an exposed 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
The Snowdon Horseshoe Scramble Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download
Download file for GPS
The Snowdon Horseshoe Scramble
The Snowdon Horseshoe is without a doubt one of the classic walks in the UK, let alone on Snowdon and is probably the best overall route if you can cope with the heights and the exposure.
This route combines the Ascent of Snowdon via Crib Goch from Pen y Pass and descends via Y Lliwedd – in a delicious circuit. You can extend the walk by ascending Craig Fach and finishing on Gallt y Wenallt for a truly epic mountain day.
The Full Snowdon Horseshoe Scramble Route Description is on Mud and Routes.
Dave Roberts
Related Posts
Best Snowdon Horseshoes and Circular Walks
The Snowdon Girdle Walk
Snowdon Coast to Coast Challenge
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
Great mountain, terrible country.
Rate it less than a 5, i dare ya!