Walk the Snowdon Horseshoe
The Snowdon Horseshoe is a demanding mountain circuit around the eastern side of Yr Wyddfa in Eryri National Park. Beginning and ending at Pen y Pass, the route crosses Crib Goch, Crib y Ddysgl, Yr Wyddfa and Y Lliwedd, combining exposed scrambling, high mountain ridges and extensive views across Eryri.
From Pen y Pass, the route initially follows the Pyg Track towards Bwlch y Moch before leaving the main path for the ascent towards Crib Goch. The terrain becomes increasingly steep and rocky as the route climbs towards the ridge.
Crib Goch is the most serious section of the Snowdon Horseshoe. The narrow ridge is highly exposed, with steep drops and sustained scrambling. It should only be attempted by experienced mountain walkers with the skills and confidence required for exposed scrambling.
Beyond Crib Goch, the route continues across the pinnacles and towards Crib y Ddysgl. The ridge remains mountainous and exposed before eventually joining the main paths approaching the summit of Yr Wyddfa.
At 1,085 metres, Yr Wyddfa is the highest mountain in Wales. From the summit, the Snowdon Horseshoe continues south-east towards Y Lliwedd rather than descending by one of the main summit paths.
The route crosses the rocky summits of Y Lliwedd, with views across Llyn Llydaw and the surrounding mountains. Although generally less exposed than Crib Goch, this remains serious mountain terrain requiring careful route-finding and confident movement over rock.
From Y Lliwedd, the route descends towards Cwm Dyli and Llyn Llydaw before joining paths leading back towards Pen y Pass, completing the mountain circuit.
The Snowdon Horseshoe is not an ordinary walking trail. Crib Goch is an exposed knife-edge ridge with no straightforward escape route, and conditions can change rapidly in the mountains. The route should only be attempted by experienced mountain walkers in suitable conditions, with appropriate equipment, navigation skills and an understanding of the terrain.
Llanberis, Beddgelert and the villages around Yr Wyddfa provide useful bases for exploring Eryri. For visitors who do not have the experience required for the Snowdon Horseshoe, several established paths provide alternative routes for exploring Yr Wyddfa without attempting Crib Goch.
Overview
Distance: Approximately 7 miles / 11 km
Typical duration: 5–7 hours
Difficulty: Very Challenging
Start: Pen y Pass, Eryri National Park
Finish: Pen y Pass, Eryri National Park
Terrain: Exposed mountain ridges, sustained scrambling, rocky paths, steep ascents and descents and high mountain terrain
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