Classic, beginner-friendly easy-grade scrambling on a scenic Snowdonian ridge.
|
Grade: 1
|
|
A classic easier grade scramble, ideal
for beginners with fantastic views of Snowdonia, should be
on everyone's list.
|
|
Equipment: None
necessary.
|
|
Online Map link
|
|
Views: 3
Technicality: 1
Exposure: 1
|
|
GIBBER FACTOR* 1
*out of
five.
|
|
|
|
Overview Continuing our series of easier grade scrambles for
beginners, attention switches to Snowdonia and one of the classic
ridge traverses. The Nantlle Ridge is mainly thought of as a long
ridge walk, but with a little ingenuity you can string together
sections of easy grade scrambling along the way.
Marcus Crompton captures the view of Nantlle and Mynydd Mawr
from
Bwlch Cwm-Lan - from his OM
album
The views alone make this route worthy of inclusion in any
Snowdonia visit. Taken in its entirety the ridge is a two-car trip,
or make use of the seasonal special rate taxi service when available.
Approach Start from the large car park at the foot of the Rhyd
Ddu path up Snowdon (
SH
570 525) and cross the road. Go through the gate and follow
the path to the Nantlle road then turn left towards Y Garn.
Route Ignore the rocky face of Y Garn, where the rock is
friable and the only scrambling is higher grade and difficult to
protect.
Instead take the signposted track up the flanks to Y Garn's
summit. Moving south along the ridge you follow the crest towards
Mynydd Drws y Coed, with short scrambles available as the ridge narrows above Clogwyn Marchnad.
The ridge in winter viewed from Y Garn, Ian Gornall -
OM
album
Stay on the crest as the ridge swings round to the right,
descending at first before another short section of easy grade rock
leads you to the top of Trum y Ddysgl. Now the rocky ridge turns to
grass as you go south west then west to the obelisk topped summit of
Mynydd-Tal-y-Miignedd.
And in more summery conditions by Ad Lad -
OM
Album
Leave the rocks behind again as you head south along the grassy
ridge and drop steeply to Bwlch Dros Bern. On the far side of the
bwlch take the rocky crest, moving slightly right for the easier
ground as you climb. From here the path leads to Craig Cwm Silyn and
onwards to Garnedd Goch, from where it drops westwards to Nebo.
Descent The ridge is linear so you have the option of leaving
a car at the far end and driving back to your start point or use the
local fixed price taxi service - see article below for more details.
You could also reverse the ridge if you wanted to, or improvise a
route back to your start point using lower level paths.
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.
