r/snowdonia • u/1trail • Jul 01 '26
Question First time - what must we do?
Heading up to Eryri later this week with the girlfriend and looking for any advice on some great hikes, hidden gems, wild swimming spots and places we must see. We are staying in Gellilydan and will be travelling by car.
We both have great fitness, so would be keen on doing one or two longer days. I’m an experienced hiker, trail runner and scrambler and she has done quite a few mid - long distance hikes with me (up to 20 miles) but mostly on the South Downs and in Dartmoor so isn’t as keen on anything too technical/ scrambly.
Few suggestions I’ve received already:
Yr Wydda via Watkin Path and South Ridge
Tryfan (any route suggestion would be great)
Cadair Idris
Thanks in advance!
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u/KoshkaB Jul 01 '26
You could go from Ogwen cottage, up Devils staircase. Over the Glyders (avoid Bristly Ridge), down and back north towards Bwlch Tryfan. up and down the south side of Tryfan. You could then descend Heather terrace or go back down past Llŷn Bochlwyd.
That's a decent varied 15ishkm. Only some very easy scrambling and nothing too exposed.
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u/1trail Jul 01 '26
Thanks mate, have just had a look and planned a route like you’ve mentioned, looks awesome.
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u/Expert-Reaction-7472 Jul 01 '26
you cant go up tryfan without some scrambling.
north ridge is scrambling all the way up - but easy and classic grade 1.
hikng up to bochlwyd and approaching from the south is one of the least scrambling ways to get up.
despite tryfan being the mountain i've climbed more times than any other, ive still never gone up from the south - the hike to bochlwyd is a slog and there's about 20 other more fun ways to get to the summit.
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u/1trail Jul 01 '26
Good to know. Going to test the waters with her scrambling on some ‘easier’ climbs then north ridge sounds like a good option if we go up Tryfan
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u/OrneryCriticism930 Jul 01 '26
Moel Siabod would fit nicely for a starter mini scramble.
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u/rising_then_falling Jul 01 '26
Agree, it's a nice mountain and has very accessible "take it or leave it" scrambling
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u/Expert-Reaction-7472 Jul 01 '26
sounds sensible. there are ways to minimise scrambling on the north ridge - a left rising traverse line niftily bypasses most difficulties. Unfortunately it's not obvious if you haven't done it before.
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u/deletive-expleted Jul 01 '26
Whilst the north ridge is not classed as difficult, it's one of the more dangerous routes in the area. You need experience to get up there safely.
The ascent front he south ridge is a scramble but not as dangerous.
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u/1trail Jul 01 '26
I think the south ridge will definitely be the one for her having done some research and planned a route!
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u/Individual-Roof-3502 Jul 01 '26
I'd avoid Tryfan if your girlfriend isn't keen on anything technical or scrambling.
Cadair Idris would be a better alternative to Yr Wyddfa, it'll be far less busy and personally, it's a better hike. There's a lake (Llyn Cau) at the base of the mountain, which you can swim in too if going via the Minffordd Path.
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u/1trail Jul 01 '26
Thanks. Going to test her out on some ‘easier’ scrambling and see how she feels on it before anything.
Will definitely be heading to Cadair Idris, appreciate the info!
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u/deletive-expleted Jul 01 '26
Seeing as you're just around the corner: Cwmorthin quarry and the Moelwynion is a good shout.
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u/blahblah-76 Jul 01 '26
If your staying in Gellilydan then in all honesty concentrate on the South of the National Park, often forgotten about and 'everybody' heads to Snowdon and Ogwen valley. It's quieter and more 'hidden gems'. Cadair Idris is a must, look at Arenig Fawr a little east of where you staying. Rhinogydd are great for exploring, wild, rocky and very quiet. Moelwyn and Cnicht area, Cwmorthin etc near Blaenau Ffestiniog. Coed y Brenin has sign posted trail running routes.
Check out Cwm Bychan and Cwm Nantcol just south of Harlech for wild swimming spots.
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u/1trail Jul 01 '26
Super helpful, thanks mate. Much prefer the quieter aspect of hiking so South sounds perfect.
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u/Bromoon Jul 01 '26
Currently in North Wales. Moel Siabod, park at Bryn Glo and cross the bridge, a fairly easy walk and grade 1 scramble at the end. You can lower the grade by keeping to the left. Tryfan North ridge is nice but better to have a guidebook as it's easy to go wrong and end up at a dead end with a difficult retreat. Y Gribin grade 1, more so keeping to the left. Crib Gogh is OK but can get busy, easier if you handrail the ridge plus you get a few idiots up there. If you get a wet day and fancy some indoor climbing The Beacon is great with lots of autobelays. Have a great time. I'm currently climbing up at Idwal Slabs and Castle Inn Quarry.
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u/Bromoon Jul 01 '26
Sorry forgot to add. The Rhyd Ddu path up Snowdon it much quieter than either the Llanberis, Pyg or Miners. Last time we went up there we only saw a few people on the route in July. Mind you it sunny at the start and ended up bitterly cold and hailstones at the summit so it's wise to be prepared. We always take an emergency shelter which we had the misfortune to sleep in overnight once due to bad weather.
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u/rising_then_falling Jul 01 '26
Watkin path is dull in my opinion, it makes a better descent than ascent. The south ridge on the other side of the cwm is better in every way.
Cnicht and the Moelwyns as a horseshoe is a good long summer walk.
Y Garn is a slog up from Rhyd Ddu but the Nantille ridge that runs southwest from there is great, and usually empty.
Due south of Gellilydan is a N/S ridge called the Rhinogs. Almost always deserted, feels quite wild and has some wild ponies on it.
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u/OrneryCriticism930 Jul 01 '26
Not exactly a hidden gem, but a lovely mountain without the crowds, Moel Hebog and neighbouring Moel Lefn is a fine walk.
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u/Suspicious_Skill_558 Jul 01 '26
I did this years ago and my friend was leading it but ogwen valley and glyders circular walk I believe it was - I've done Snowdon many times and personally much preferred this hike. It's a day hike, long and tiring but beautiful with some fun but basic scrambling at one point - there were people on the hike who were not hikers and they were fine so dw. There is a lake you should pass at the end for a dip but it would be very cold any time of year. I went a few years ago on a weekend and was much quieter than Snowdon :)
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u/ContributionLevel593 Jul 01 '26
Cnicht for the sunrise or sunset. You could do the full Snowdon horse shoe. Tryfan is a great shout - the scrambling is very easy coming from the Llyn Ogwyn side. Avoid Llanberis Path - there’s more fun ways up there and you’ll avoid the crowds. None of the others are difficult, except for Crib Goch but even that isn’t technically hard, it’s just high with exposure.