Y Lliwedd forms the southern arm of the Snowdon Horseshoe, its twin-topped summit rising above the dark face that drops 300 metres directly to Llyn Llydaw below. For rock climbers, the north face is one of the great Edwardian climbing venues — its routes described in the first recorded Welsh climbing guidebook, from 1909. For walkers, the summit is most naturally reached as the final peak of the Horseshoe. This is Experience #9 of the Snowdonia 100.
As Part of the Horseshoe
Y Lliwedd completes the Snowdon Horseshoe after the summit of Yr Wyddfa. The descent from the summit to Bwlch y Saethau — the Pass of Arrows, where according to legend Arthur fell in his final battle — is steep and requires care. From there the ridge continues over the twin tops of Y Lliwedd East and West Peaks before descending to the Miners' Track above Llyn Llydaw.
| Height | 898m (West Peak), 893m (East Peak) |
| Position | Southern arm of the Snowdon Horseshoe |
| North face | 600m of cliff — major rock climbing venue |
| Best approach | As part of Snowdon Horseshoe from Pen-y-Pass |
The View from Y Lliwedd
Standing on Y Lliwedd looking north gives one of the finest views of Yr Wyddfa's summit from any position in the mountains — the full western face of the summit ridge visible across the Glaslyn cwm. Llyn Llydaw lies directly below, its copper-blue water reflecting the surrounding ridges. The sense of enclosure within the Horseshoe is complete here: a natural mountain amphitheatre of unusual grandeur.
Experience #9 of 100 — Summits category.
Independently written — Snowdon.com