The Snowdon Horseshoe

If there is one walk that defines mountain adventure in Wales, it is the Snowdon Horseshoe. This is not simply a route to the summit. It is a full mountain circuit incorporating some of the finest terrain in Britain — Crib Goch, Garnedd Ugain, Yr Wyddfa, and Y Lliwedd — combined into a single unforgettable journey. Many experienced mountaineers consider it one of the greatest mountain days in the United Kingdom.

What Is the Snowdon Horseshoe?

The circuit follows the rim of the great glacial basin known as Cwm Dyli. From above, the mountains create a horseshoe shape surrounding Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw — two of the most photographed mountain lakes in Britain. The route traverses four separate summits, each with its own character. Crib Goch provides the technical crux: the famous knife-edge ridge that has become one of the defining challenges of Welsh mountain walking. Garnedd Ugain (1,065 m) is often overlooked by those hurrying to the main summit, but it is the second highest mountain in Wales and deserves acknowledgement. Yr Wyddfa (1,085 m) is the roof of Wales. Y Lliwedd (898 m) completes the horseshoe with a quieter, wilder character — its rocky summit offering one of the finest perspectives of Snowdon in existence.

Who Should Attempt the Horseshoe?

This is emphatically not a route for beginners. The Horseshoe is a serious mountain undertaking. Candidates should possess good mountain fitness, previous scrambling experience, confidence with exposure, navigation skills in poor visibility, and the mountain judgement to turn around if conditions deteriorate. A comfortable prior ascent of a Grade 1 scramble elsewhere in Britain is a useful benchmark. First-time Snowdon visitors, those uncomfortable with heights, poorly equipped walkers, and those uncertain about conditions should choose one of the non-technical routes instead.

The Clockwise Route

Most experienced walkers do the Horseshoe clockwise, tackling Crib Goch first — when the legs are fresh and the mind is clear. Going anti-clockwise reverses this logic, saving the hardest ground for when fatigue is setting in, and also means approaching Crib Goch from the technically more demanding eastern end. The clockwise direction is strongly recommended.

Stage 1: Pen-y-Pass to Crib Goch (c. 2 km / 45–75 min)

The route initially follows the Pyg Track from the car park at Pen-y-Pass. The path climbs steadily above Llanberis Pass before the turn-off for Crib Goch appears — an obvious junction once you know what to look for. At this point the atmosphere changes. The comfortable tourist path gives way to rockier terrain, and the ridge above starts to show what is coming. The initial scramble up to the ridge is Grade 1 from the start — loose rock in places, requiring care and proper footwear. As height is gained, the first exposure becomes apparent and the views begin to open dramatically over both sides of the ridge.

Stage 2: Crib Goch (c. 1 km / 1–2 hours)

Crib Goch is the psychological centrepiece of the entire day. The knife-edge ridge — true ridge walking where a fall in either direction is serious — demands patience, concentration, and respect for your own limits. In good conditions with no wind, experienced scramblers find it exhilarating rather than frightening. In high wind, wet rock, or poor visibility, it becomes a different proposition entirely. The views from the ridge are extraordinary: Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw far below, Y Lliwedd across the cwm, and the full sweep of the Horseshoe laid out like a map. Move deliberately. Do not rush. The ridge is wide enough to straddle where confidence demands it.

Stage 3: The Pinnacles and Garnedd Ugain

After the main Crib Goch ridge come the Pinnacles — a series of rocky towers requiring additional scrambling and careful route-finding. These are technically the most complex section of the day for many parties. Beyond the Pinnacles, the route climbs to Garnedd Ugain (Y Carnedd Ugain), which at 1,065 metres is the second highest mountain in Wales. It is regularly walked past without acknowledgement by people focused on reaching Yr Wyddfa — worth pausing to appreciate. From here the route joins the railway track and follows it to the summit.

Garnedd Ugain and Crib Goch, seen across the valley from Elidir Fawr — the second-highest summit in Wales, often walked past unnoticed on the way to Yr Wyddfa. Photo: Seraaron, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Stage 4: Yr Wyddfa Summit

The summit provides a welcome rest — food, drink at Hafod Eryri if it is open, and the panoramic views that make the long approach worthwhile. The Horseshoe is only half complete at this point, but the most technically demanding ground lies behind you. The descent towards Y Lliwedd begins from the southern end of the summit plateau, dropping steeply to Bwlch y Saethau — the Pass of Arrows, steeped in Arthurian legend.

Hafod Eryri, the summit visitor centre, marks the roof of Wales at 1,085 metres — and the halfway point of the Horseshoe. Photo: Eirian Evans, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Stage 5: Y Lliwedd (c. 2 km)

Y Lliwedd is the quiet giant of the Horseshoe, and many walkers consider it the most rewarding section precisely because it comes after the drama of Crib Goch and the busy summit. The twin tops of the mountain are reached after a sustained climb from Bwlch y Saethau, and the views back to Yr Wyddfa across Glaslyn are among the finest anywhere in Eryri. The east peak (898 m) and west peak (893 m) are both worth visiting. The descent from Y Lliwedd's eastern ridge leads down to Llyn Llydaw and the Miners' Track — the final 3 km back to Pen-y-Pass along the mine road.

The east peak of Y Lliwedd, the quiet final summit of the Horseshoe — its rocky top offers one of the finest views of Yr Wyddfa in existence. Photo: Gareth James, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Equipment and Preparation

Proper mountain boots with ankle support are essential — not trail shoes. Gloves and a helmet are recommended for Crib Goch, particularly in poor conditions. Carry a full day's food and water (at least 2 litres), waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers, map, compass, and a head torch in case of delay. Check the Met Office Mountain Weather forecast for Snowdon before you go and have a realistic turn-around decision in mind before you start. More Horseshoe attempts are abandoned on Crib Goch than at any other point — this is not failure, it is good judgement.

Photography

The Horseshoe is one of the great photography routes in Britain. The view from Crib Goch back towards Pen-y-Pass, with Llyn Llydaw and Glaslyn below, is iconic. The perspective of Snowdon across the cwm from Y Lliwedd's summit is equally spectacular. For photographers willing to carry serious equipment, an early start in good autumn light delivers extraordinary images. The route is best done in clear conditions — cloud on Crib Goch removes much of the purpose of being there at all.