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Alternative Snowdon Horseshoe


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Short description
Alternative horseshoe on the South side of the mountain.

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Route details

Region: Snowdonia
Start at: Rhyd Ddu
Circular Route
Grid ref: SH570525
Difficulty: Medium
Scramble element: Walking
Grade:
Distance: 15.3 kilometres
Total ascent: 1159 meters
Approx. time needed: 5 hrs
Map: Snowdonia 1:25
   
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Long description

This is circular walk on the south less busy side of Snowdon.

The route is a horseshoe round Cwm Clogwyn using the Rhyd Ddu and Snowdon Ranger paths.

Navigation is fairly straightforward on mainly good paths but care should be taken in bad conditions finding the start of the Snowdon Ranger path and the final leg back to Rhyd Ddu.

From the Rhyd Ddu car park take the path signposted to Snowdon over the railway. The path winds its way gradually upwards with fine views behind of the Nantlle Ridge and Moel Hebog.
At the base of the Llechog ridge the gradient increases sharply until the crest of the ridge is attained. Excellent 360 degree views here of the summit (hopefully), down into Cwm Clogwyn and to the sea in the distant south and west.
Carry on up the ridge and turn left as you meet the path coming up from Yr Aran on the right.
Stay on this path, up the zig zags to the Bwlch Main ridge which leads to the summit. The top of the ridge can be avoided if you wish by taking a path slightly down to the left hand side.
On the right can be seen Lliwedd and in the distance the Crib Goch ridge.
On reaching the summit you can share the new cafe with the hordes coming up on the train or via the popular paths on the northern side.
Leaving the summit, take the Llanberis path down and look for the large upright stone marking the top of the Pyg/Miners track which goes off to the right.
The start of the Snowdon Ranger path leads off to the left shortly after the stone. Cross over the railway and follow the path down to the top of the Clogwyn cliffs and then steeply down the ridge towards Llyn Ffynnon y gwas.
Here the paths levels out and makes for easy walking until you see a stile on the left hand side a few metres off the main path.
( If you are using the railway at Snowdon Ranger do not take this left hand turn but stay on the main path back to Snowdon Ranger)
Climb over the stile and onto the path towards the old workings in the distance.
This final leg back to Rhyd Ddu is very boggy in places after rain.
Follow the signed and waymarked path around the base of the tip and then turn left through the old workings, finally turning right and over the tip to another stile.
The route then goes down through the fields to the crossing over the railway and back to the Rhyd Ddu car park.

Getting there

Rhyd Ddu is on the main road between Caernarfon and Beddgelert

Alternatively, use the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu.
Return by train from either Rhyd Ddu or Snowdon Ranger.

Facilities

Car park/toilets at Rhyd Ddu. £4.00 per day.
Pub at Rhyd Ddu.
Local campsites at Beddgelert or by Llyn Cwellyn

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Don't forget the excellent tea shop in Rhyd Ddu
Posted: 25/07/2009 at 09:22

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