Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) & Garnedd Ugain (Crib y Ddysgl) -
Saturday 29 November 2014
Route
Ffridd Uchaf - Bwlch Cwm Lan - Allt Maenderyn - Bwlch Main - Snowdon - Garnedd Ugain (Crib y Ddysgl) - Snowdon Ranger Path - Rhyd Ddu - Rhyd Ddu Path - Ffridd Uchaf
Parking
We were staying in Ffridd Uchaf therefore started the walk from there. This walk can be started from Rhyd Ddu and there is parking at the Station (Charge) - Grid Ref SH572526.
Mileage
11.2 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths although the terrain approaching Bwlch Cwm Lan is mostly slate underfoot and is hazardous when wet. There is some easy scrambling required on the Allt Maenderyn ridge to the summit of Snowdon and the path to Rhyd Ddu from the Snowdon Ranger Path is boggy in places.
Weather
Cold yet sunny with very good visibility for the most part.
Time Taken
8hrs
Total Ascent
4084ft (1245m)
Map
OL17 - Snowdon & Conwy Valley
Ffridd Uchaf - Bwlch Cwm Lan - Allt Maenderyn - Bwlch Main - Snowdon - Garnedd Ugain (Crib y Ddysgl) - Snowdon Ranger Path - Rhyd Ddu - Rhyd Ddu Path - Ffridd Uchaf
Parking
We were staying in Ffridd Uchaf therefore started the walk from there. This walk can be started from Rhyd Ddu and there is parking at the Station (Charge) - Grid Ref SH572526.
Mileage
11.2 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths although the terrain approaching Bwlch Cwm Lan is mostly slate underfoot and is hazardous when wet. There is some easy scrambling required on the Allt Maenderyn ridge to the summit of Snowdon and the path to Rhyd Ddu from the Snowdon Ranger Path is boggy in places.
Weather
Cold yet sunny with very good visibility for the most part.
Time Taken
8hrs
Total Ascent
4084ft (1245m)
Map
OL17 - Snowdon & Conwy Valley
GPX File
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Walk Description
Having been up Snowdon many times before and each time in mist we were encouraged by today's weather forecast therefore decided to give it a go. We chose an alternative route up via the less frequented Allt Maenderyn ridge and did not see a soul until the summit itself. We originally intended to use the Rhyd Ddu path back but the visibility and weather were so good we decided to stay out a bit longer therefore came back down the Snowdon Ranger path instead.
We were staying on the farm at Ffridd Uchaf therefore could walk from the door today, however the walk can just as easily be started from Rhyd Ddu. Reaching the Rhyd Ddu path we turned right away from this and headed along the good track towards Bwlch Cwm Lan. On reaching the col there are superb views down into Cwm Llan where the Watkin Path can clearly be seen snaking its way up towards Snowdon. To lengthen the walk the summit of Yr Aran is but a 30-minute steep slog however we had enough to do and therefore left that one for another day.
The Allt Maenderyn is a pure ridge walkers delight and stretches away in front of you providing some gentle up and downs and easy scrambling - both left, right, front & back are magnificent views over the surrounding mountains with Y Lliwedd particularly prominent. It is worth taking your time over as all too suddenly the hustle and bustle of Snowdon's summit is upon you. We were up on the summit at about 1000 and thankfully there were only a handful of people about although looking down to the various paths the ants were on the march!
Leaving the summit, we headed down to the path junction where the Snowdon Ranger path meets the one coming up from the Pyg Track and decided to head up to the summit of Garnedd Ugain. Reaching the Trig Point there is a fantastic view down Crib Goch and over to The Glyders and tempted as we were to make the transit over the arête, Crib Goch is no place for a bonkers dog.
Retracing our steps back to the start of the Snowdon Ranger path we started our descent off the mountain and were passed by lots of happy hikers on their way up. The path down is very good and we were soon leaving it to head left over a sometimes boggy but well way marked path back to Rhyd Ddu. The path passes the Slate Quarry near the Afon Treweunydd before making its way to Rhyd Ddu. We simply then made the uphill trek along the early part of the Rhyd Ddu path back to Ffridd Uchaf. A great day out on a superb route - in our opinion this is a fantastic way to climb Snowdon, only seeing the crowds on the way down.
We were staying on the farm at Ffridd Uchaf therefore could walk from the door today, however the walk can just as easily be started from Rhyd Ddu. Reaching the Rhyd Ddu path we turned right away from this and headed along the good track towards Bwlch Cwm Lan. On reaching the col there are superb views down into Cwm Llan where the Watkin Path can clearly be seen snaking its way up towards Snowdon. To lengthen the walk the summit of Yr Aran is but a 30-minute steep slog however we had enough to do and therefore left that one for another day.
The Allt Maenderyn is a pure ridge walkers delight and stretches away in front of you providing some gentle up and downs and easy scrambling - both left, right, front & back are magnificent views over the surrounding mountains with Y Lliwedd particularly prominent. It is worth taking your time over as all too suddenly the hustle and bustle of Snowdon's summit is upon you. We were up on the summit at about 1000 and thankfully there were only a handful of people about although looking down to the various paths the ants were on the march!
Leaving the summit, we headed down to the path junction where the Snowdon Ranger path meets the one coming up from the Pyg Track and decided to head up to the summit of Garnedd Ugain. Reaching the Trig Point there is a fantastic view down Crib Goch and over to The Glyders and tempted as we were to make the transit over the arête, Crib Goch is no place for a bonkers dog.
Retracing our steps back to the start of the Snowdon Ranger path we started our descent off the mountain and were passed by lots of happy hikers on their way up. The path down is very good and we were soon leaving it to head left over a sometimes boggy but well way marked path back to Rhyd Ddu. The path passes the Slate Quarry near the Afon Treweunydd before making its way to Rhyd Ddu. We simply then made the uphill trek along the early part of the Rhyd Ddu path back to Ffridd Uchaf. A great day out on a superb route - in our opinion this is a fantastic way to climb Snowdon, only seeing the crowds on the way down.
Early morning just after sunrise looking to Y Garn & the start of the Nantlle Ridge - Llyn-y-Gader sits below
Moel Hebog (Bare Hill of the Hawk) with Moel yr Ogof & Moel Lefn to the right
Not that way Fudge - we are off to Snowdon via the Allt Maenderyn ridge today
Heading up the path to the Allt Maenderyn ridge which is to the left. Yr Aran is to the right
Sun up over the Nantlle Ridge - it was at this point we knew were in for a good days walking weather
Almost at the Yr Aran col
The slate works near the col - that is not a slate dog by the way
Once at the col we headed left on this path up on to the Allt Maenderyn ridge
Superb view down into Cwm Llan and over to Y Lliwedd
Further up the ridge of Allt Maenderyn and Snowdon comes into view
Me and my shadow.......
Nantlle Ridge left with Mynydd Mawr centre
Snowdon getting nearer. The ridge to the right leads to Bwlch Ciliau - the col between Snowdon & Y Lliwedd
Y Lliwedd from a bit further up Allt Maenderyn
Blowing for tugs up here we were! No-one here though which was good.
Nearing the summit looking over Bwlch Ciliau and Crib Goch (Red Ridge) suddenly puts in an appearance
It was a privilege being up here today with these views
Ridge walking at its finest - Y Lliwedd in the background
We were nearing the junction of Allt Maenderyn and the Rhyd Ddu path which heads down over the ridge of Llechog below
A cloud inversion over the Dyffryn Mymbyr valley
Looking back along the Allt Maenderyn ridge
Which way - are you sure? Unusual rock formation approaching the Watkin Path junction
Handy I suppose - in mist
Nearing the summit there is a delightful view over the Moel Eilio Horseshoe
The side of "The Caff" on Snowdon's summit
Crib Goch with Llyn Llydaw below - the view of the inversion just gets better
Another view of Crib Goch this time looking north to The Glyders
The Princess Gwenllian Plaque on the summit of Snowdon
Top Dog on the roof of Wales
The summit of Snowdon is a great place to be when visibility is as good as this
Heading off the summit and the path to Garnedd Ugain
Garnedd Ugain which leads to Crib Goch
Crib Goch from near the Snowdon Ranger and Pyg Track path junction
Approaching the rise to Garnedd Ugain
Looking back to Snowdon - it was starting to get busy now
Crib Goch from Garnedd Ugain
The summit of Garnedd Ugain
Snowdon & Y Lliwedd from Garnedd Ugain
And the views stayed with us - Garnedd Ugain summit
Tempted as we were by a quick jaunt across Crib Goch, we decided enough was enough and descended to pick up the Snowdon Ranger Path
Descending the Snowdon Ranger Path looking back to Snowdon & Llyn Ffynnon-y-gwas
Leaving the Snowdon Ranger path we headed back to Rhyd Ddu via a boggy path which fortunately was very well way marked
Afon Treweunydd near the Slate Quarry
Rhyd Ddu Slate Quarry and Snowdon
Slate everywhere
Walking up the Rhyd Ddu path
Yr Aran