Crib Goch — "the Red Ridge" — is the most celebrated scramble in Wales and one of the finest in Britain. The narrow, serrated arête connecting the east shoulder of the Snowdon Horseshoe to Crib y Ddysgl involves sustained exposure on both sides, three distinct pinnacles, and requires confident scrambling ability, a head for heights, and the judgement to turn back in bad conditions. On a clear day, it offers mountain experiences that rival anything in the Alps for sheer drama.
What Is a Grade 1 Scramble?
British scramble grading runs from Grade 1 (hardest walking/easiest scrambling) to Grade 3 (approaching technical climbing). Grade 1 means the terrain is too steep and broken for normal walking — hands are needed for balance and progress — but is generally manageable without a rope for experienced hillwalkers. On Crib Goch, this translates to a ridge so narrow that in places you straddle it with one leg hanging over each side, with drops of several hundred metres into the cwms below.
This is not difficult in the technical climbing sense — the holds are plentiful and the moves are not complex. But the consequences of a slip are severe, and sustained concentration is required throughout. For people with vertigo, or those who have not scrambled before, Crib Goch is not appropriate regardless of fitness level.
The Snowdon Horseshoe
Crib Goch is most commonly traversed as part of the Snowdon Horseshoe — one of the great mountain circuits in Britain. The Horseshoe takes in four peaks above 900m in a single circular route: Crib Goch (923m), Crib y Ddysgl (1,065m), Yr Wyddfa (1,085m), and Y Lliwedd (898m). The recommended direction is clockwise: ascend to Crib Goch from Pen-y-Pass, traverse the ridge east-to-west to Crib y Ddysgl, continue to the summit of Yr Wyddfa, then descend to Bwlch y Saethau and ascend Y Lliwedd, before descending the Miners' Track back to Pen-y-Pass.
Route Description: Crib Goch Ascent
From Pen-y-Pass, follow the Pyg Track to Bwlch y Moch and take the path heading northeast toward the obvious rocky peak ahead. The path climbs steeply on good ground to the base of the east ridge of Crib Goch. From here, the scrambling begins in earnest.
The East Ridge is the least exposed section — still serious, but a good introduction to the terrain. Hands come into frequent use on the rocky steps. After about 200m of ascent, the main summit of Crib Goch (923m) is reached — a fine rocky top with a dramatic view of the main ridge ahead.
The main ridge, stretching westward from the summit, is the crux of the route. In places it narrows to less than a metre, with steep drops on both sides. The Three Pinnacles — three rock towers that must be traversed or bypassed — require the most careful route-finding. There are paths around the pinnacles on the southern side, but the ridge itself is the accepted scramble line.
After the pinnacles, the ridge broadens slightly and becomes less technical, leading to the summit of Crib y Ddysgl (1,065m) and the connection to the main Snowdon summit path. The worst of the exposure is now behind you.
Safety and Conditions
Crib Goch is dangerous in poor conditions. In wet weather, the rock becomes slippery and the narrow sections enormously more serious. In wind, the exposed ridge can be impassable — gusts above 40mph make progress dangerous and above 60mph it becomes impossible. In winter, snow and ice turn the ridge into a serious mountaineering proposition requiring crampons, ice axes, and rope. People have died on Crib Goch in all seasons.
The mountain rescue statistics are sobering: Crib Goch features disproportionately in Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team callouts. Most incidents involve people who underestimated the technical difficulty or were caught by deteriorating weather. The golden rule: if in doubt, don't. The Pyg Track offers summit access without the Horseshoe commitments.
Who Should Attempt Crib Goch
Crib Goch is suitable for confident hillwalkers who have experience on rocky, exposed terrain and are comfortable using hands on steep ground. You should have: experience scrambling on mountain terrain, a good head for heights, the ability to navigate and make confident decisions on the hill, appropriate footwear (mountain boots with good grip), and ideally a companion. Your first Grade 1 scramble should not be Crib Goch in busy season — practise on something smaller first.
The Snowdonia-based outdoor centres — Plas y Brenin (Capel Curig), and several operators in Llanberis — offer guided Horseshoe days that are an excellent way to experience Crib Goch safely for the first time.