The Y Gribin ridge is an easy Grade 1 scramble (meaning you’ll need to use your hands!) but in dry conditions isn’t particularly difficult. You’ll find it above Glaslyn just off the Miners’ Track and offers a bit more excitement than the standard Snowdon paths without the scariness of Crib Goch!
The route starts and ends from the Pen-y-Pass car park at the top of the Llanberis Pass. Beware this is not a big car park (around 70 spaces) and it’s very popular (and expensive!) so if you want a space on a summer weekend you’ll want to aim to be there before sunrise and even that might not guarantee you somewhere to park on a bank holiday. Parking around Pen-y-Pass is strictly controlled for everyone’s safety so if the car park is full when you arrive don’t even think about trying to park on the roadside as Police regularly patrol the area and tow away what they consider ‘dangerously’ parked vehicles. Whilst my advice would always be to aim for the main car park (no matter how early you need to start!) there are other parking options. There’s a large lay-by on the A498 Beddgelert road just up from the Pen y Gwryd hotel and from here there’s a permissive footpath up to Pen-y-Pass which will only add an hour or so on to your day. The other option is the Park and Ride service operating from Nant Peris where there’s a much larger car park and regular buses up to Pen-y-Pass or even parking in Llanberis and using the same bus service. Search online for ‘The Snowdon Sherpa’ for the most up-to-date service information.
At the entrance to the Pen y Pass car park you’ll find toilets and a small cafe which, if open, is worth a visit.
From the Pen-y-Pass lower car park look for the ‘arty’ metal gate in the bottom corner opposite the entry which leads on to a wide, stone path. Follow this easy path very gradually uphill as it meanders around the hill. This is a nice start to the walk and very easy to follow. You’ll soon reach the first lake, Llyn Teyrn down to your left. Continue on the path around the lake until you reach the banks of Llyn Llydaw where you should get your first glimpse of the summit of Snowdon in the distance. This is a great spot for a rest.
The paths crosses the lake over a causeway and bears left hugging the banks. You’ll pass a derelict mining building on your right as the path bears right and starts to climb. Head up the manmade steps along this relatively gentle slope and you’ll soon get your first glimpse of Glaslyn down to your left.
From here you’ll need to make your way across the water inlet using some of the rocks to stay dry and you’ll find yourself at the foot of the magnificent Y Gribin ridge. Your route is simply ‘up’ from this point. In the dry, it’s not difficult. As with most ridge scrambles, try to stay as close to the ridge as possible.
When you reach the top your scrambling will plateau – best to carry on here in the same direction until you meet the Watkin path. If you wanted you could turn right here and head up to the summit of Snowdon (beware this section is steep and disliked by many – read Watkin Path to find out more). From there you return via the Pyg or Miners Tracks.
For this route, we’re going to turn left and head over Y Lliwedd for a bit more scrambling fun. For the moment you’re following the Watkin Path away from the summit of Snowdon. You should see the mighty Y Lliwedd ahead of you. After a short distance, at Bwlch Ciliau, the Watkin Path with turn down to the right; ignore this and instead continue on in the same direction.
Y Lliwedd is another grade one scramble so you’ll need to find your way up here. There are bits of ‘paths’ but it’s difficult to go too wrong. Do avoid going too far to the left however as there are big drops over that way.
Keep making progress up until you reach the West Peak then continue on to the East Peak. Both offer pretty awesome views back towards the Crib Goch ridge.
Carry on down now in the same direction. After a while the land plateaus somewhat and your descent down to the Miners’ Track can be found on the left. This section takes some concentration as there a few moves that you lead to a slip.
Once back on the Miners’ Track, simply turn right for the short return walk back to Pen-y-Pass.
