Allt Maenderyn (South Ridge of Snowdon)
Allt Maenderyn (South Ridge of Snowdon)
Highlight (Segment) • Climb
Allt Maenderyn (South Ridge of Snowdon)
Hiking
4.9
(36)
Running
5.0
(1)
Mountaineering
5.0
(1)
This segment may be dangerous
Parts of this Highlight comprise highly technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.
This Highlight goes through a protected area
Please check local regulations for:
Gwarchodfa Natur Genedlaethol Yr Wyddfa
Tips
December 7, 2020
Hiking
Allt Maenderyn — often referred to as the south ridge — makes for a sublime, airy ridge walk that doesn't quite qualify as scrambling territory. The arête makes for a magnificent hike though, with shapely Yr Aran, bulky Moel Hebog and the sinuous Crib Nantlle (Nantlle Ridge) all forming the backdrop.
March 10, 2023
Running
The main ridge starts at Bwlch Cwm Llan below Yr Arran and heads up to join the Rhydd-Ddu path and the Bwlch Main ridge to the summit. The terrain isn’t too technical but parts are fairly exposed, so care should be taken in high winds.
January 16, 2020
Hiking
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Nearby routes
Best routes near Allt Maenderyn (South Ridge of Snowdon)
4.9
(148)
1,517
hikers
Embark on a difficult 8.2-mile (13.3 km) loop up Snowdon via the Watkin Path, starting from Nant Gwynant. This route offers a significant challenge with 3212 feet (979 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 5 hours and 21 minutes to complete. You will begin by winding through ancient woodlands and past the Rhaeadrau Waterfalls, before the path opens up to reveal impressive mountain views and eventually leads to a tough uphill scree climb towards the summit, offering vistas of Snowdon's South Ridge and Yr Aran.
Planning your hike requires good fitness, sturdy shoes, and sure-footedness, especially for the upper sections where the terrain becomes loose, rocky, and very steep. The path starts at a low elevation, giving it the greatest total ascent of all Snowdon routes. In winter, this challenging part demands extreme care and appropriate equipment like micro-spikes or crampons, as the path can lose definition and navigation becomes difficult in poor weather.
The Watkin Path holds historical importance as Britain's first designated footpath, opened in 1892 by Prime Minister William Gladstone, whose speech from Gladstone Rock is a notable detail along the way. This trail is often quieter than other routes, providing a more serene experience, and offers a greater variety of natural scenery, from woodlands to open mountain. You will also pass Bwlch y Saethau, a pass steeped in legend, believed to be where King Arthur fought his treacherous son Mordred.
4.9
(42)
454
hikers
14.6km
05:28
990m
990m
Hike the difficult 9.1-mile Snowdon & Yr Aran loop on the Rhyd-Ddu path, gaining 3243 feet with stunning mountain views.
4.8
(6)
115
hikers
24.2km
09:51
1,720m
1,720m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Details
Informations
Distance 1.56 km
Uphill 320 m
Weather
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Monday 8 June
12°C
7°C
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