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3. Snowdonia Scrambles – Our Pick of the Best

Eryri (Snowdonia) is home to some of Wales and the UK’s best scrambling and regularly features as a favourite destination amongst passionate scramblers. The combination of rugged rock formations, spectacular mountain landscapes and the sheer variety of routes on offer makes it a fantastic place to visit for anyone who loves to feel the cool rock on their hands and prefers to take the more adventurous path to the summit.

With this in mind, we compiled a list of our top Eryri scrambles. With a wide range of scrambles that cover the entire grading system, there should be something for everyone on this list.

A quick note on scramble grading

In the UK, scrambles are traditionally attributed a numerical difficulty rating on a scale from one to three. Grade One scrambles are the easiest and Grade Three are the most challenging. Generally, each of the grades is interpreted in the following way:

• • Grade One – Walking routes with considerable exposure that will probably require the use of hands but should not necessitate climbing rope.
• • Grade Two – Scrambles that feature more exposure than Grade One routes and usually require greater use of the hands. Routes are generally longer, more complex to find and follow, and may require rope at points.
• • Grade Three – Scrambles that blur the boundary between scrambling and rock climbing. They often require the use of rope in certain sections, can be difficult to follow and there are usually fewer escape routes.

While the grading system offers a valuable approximation of difficulty, it does not paint a detailed picture. For instance, Crib Goch is a Grade One scramble yet features significant exposure and is particularly treacherous in wet and windy conditions. Many people get stuck on the ridgeline after underestimating the difficulty.

1. Crib Goch

Arguably the most iconic ridgeline scramble in Wales, Crib Goch is a Grade One scramble and a highlight of the popular Snowdon Horseshoe route. This means it gets significantly busier than many of the other scrambles on this list and it is not uncommon for less experienced hillwalkers to give it a go and find themselves stuck halfway across.

Despite this, Crib Goch is a truly memorable experience that features serious exposure and tricky obstacles in the shape of the Crib Goch Pinnacles. If you are fortunate enough to hit Crib Goch on a quiet, calm day, there is nothing quite like it.

2. Tryfan North Ridge

While Crib Goch gets all the glory and is well-known even to walkers with no interest in scrambling, there are several other Eryri ridges that do not garner the same attention but are just as, if not more, enjoyable. Chief amongst them is the Tryfan North Ridge.

Another Grade One scramble, the North Ridge includes sections that veer into Grade Two territory. This includes the hardest part of the route – the North Tower. The rest is technical, thrilling and perfectly achievable for those with a head for heights and some scrambling skills. At the top, stands the famous duo, Siôn a Siân (Adam & Eve), two rocky protrusions walkers often jump between. While the North Ridge can be completed on its own, you can also incorporate it into the Bochlwyd Horseshoe – a stunning full traverse of the Llyn Bochlwyd encirclement that incorporates Bristly Ridge, Tryfan South Ridge and Gribin Ridge, too.

3. Bastow Buttress

Another Tryfan entry that highlights why scramblers love this unique mountain so much, the Bastow Buttress route is a Grade 2 scramble that connects with the North Ridge route for some extra fun. It is an excellent stepping stone for those looking to push towards Grade 3 scrambles but who want to build their confidence with an enjoyable, sustained and slightly easier scramble first.

The route is highly versatile and several variants exist, allowing you to incorporate or omit more difficult sections depending on how you feel that day. This ability to customise the route is relatively uncommon and makes Bastow Buttress a fantastic option for scramblers looking to practise and push themselves on more technical sections.

4. Cneifion Arete

If you ask an experienced scrambler where their best Eryri scrambling experience occurred, there is a good chance Cneifion Arete will be the answer. It is challenging and long, but boasts remarkable views and a lot of technical scrambling and problem-solving. Ropes are recommended as this Grade 3 route does get tricky and scrambler safety is paramount.

The weather can also determine how much you enjoy the scramble and whether you should attempt it at all. Many of the holds are smooth and polished, making them slippery when wet or even just a little damp. We recommend waiting for a completely dry day.

5. Dolmen Ridge

Dolmen Ridge is another top contender for the title of best scramble in Eryri. Located on one of local scramblers’ favourite mountains, Glyder Fach, it is a Grade Three route that requires considerable skill and may necessitate the use of rope. You can also link the Dolmen Ridge to a series of other epic scrambles, such as Cneifion Arete and Bristly Ridge.

At times, the route can be a bit of a puzzle to work out, so it will always keep you on your toes and pushing your limits. The truly tough sections are split in two by a large grass shelf known as the Courtyard. From here, the steep-sided Dolmen Buttress awaits, followed by the summit itself.

Scrambling with RAW Adventures

You will often find members of the RAW Adventures team out in the Eryri mountains enjoying some of the region’s finest scrambles. This first-hand experience ensures we have the insight and expertise required to deliver amazing scrambling adventures for hillwalkers of all abilities. Whether you are interested in hitting up Eryri’s lesser-known treasures or just starting out and looking to build confidence, we can help.

We also run a fantastic Scrambling Weekend event to introduce participants to scrambling and making them self-sufficient scramblers by the end of day two. It covers everything from which guidebooks to use and the routes to choose to scrambling techniques and emergency procedures.

To learn more about the event, check out the Scrambling Weekend page. If you have any further questions about the weekend or other scrambling opportunities in Eryri, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the friendly RAW team.