Scramble Route - Craig Yr Ysfa, Snowdonia

Craig Yr Ysfa, Snowdonia

Grade: 2

A remote scramble on the south east of Carnedd Llewellyn provides an alternative approach from the Ogwen Valley to the Carneddau plateau. Surrounded by steep, high cliffs you're more likely to meet climbers than walkers on the approach to Craig Yr Ysfa Amphitheatre, but the walk in is worth the effort for a great route to the highest plateau in Wales. The route starts with the hardest section and gets progressively easier.

Equipment: Protection and ropes optional.

Online Map link

Views: 2 Technicality: 2 Exposure: 2

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GIBBER FACTOR* 2 *out of five.

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Approach It's a long walk into Craig Yr Ysfa whichever route you take. The approach of choice starts from Ogwen with a walk up the path towards Ffynon Llugwy. As the track turns left towards the reservoir continue uphill to Bwlch Eryl Farchog. From here go downhill to the left to the base of the big scree slopes of Craig Yr Ysfa below the famous Amphitheatre.

'Ffynon Llugwy in winter' by Marcus Crompton - Marcus album

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Route Start at the gully on the right hand side of the headwall, taking the slabs on the left to avoid the gully itself untill you gain a recessed stance above the gully. From this stance move out right onto the wall then step up left onto a slab. Now with the surroundings less claustrophobic take the obvious steps that zig zag up the remaining wall, taking care to avoid loose ground all around. Finish the zig zags to emerge on the summit ridge with Carnedd Llewellyn off to the right.

'Carnedd Llewellyn' by Marcus Crompton - Marcus album

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Descent From Carnedd Llewellyn retrace the ridge above the Amphitheatre and continue to Bwlch Aryl Farchog then take the path down to join the reservoir road. Follow this back into Ogwen. Alternatively take the ridge south west to Bwlch Cyfryw Drum and then make your way over Carnedd Dafydd and a choice of routes south to the valley.

'Where now?' by Marcus Crompton - Latest Pictures album

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Caution Scrambling is potentially dangerous and, particularly at the higher grades, requires technical skills and equipment to minimise the risk. We suggest that you take professional instruction or climb with an experienced partner.

Accuracy All routes have been pre-walked or scrambled, however mountain terrain is by its nature changeable, so bear in mind that some features such as bridges and roads may change over time.