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Mountain Peaks

Allt Maenderyn (South Ridge of Snowdon)

Mountain Peaks

Allt Maenderyn (South Ridge of Snowdon)

Highlight (Segment) • Climb

Allt Maenderyn (South Ridge of Snowdon)

Recommended by 33 hikers out of 34

This Highlight goes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Gwarchodfa Natur Genedlaethol Yr Wyddfa

Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri

This segment may be dangerous

Parts of this Highlight comprise highly technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

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Location: Beddgelert, Gwynedd, North Wales, Wales, United Kingdom

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Best Hiking Routes to Allt Maenderyn (South Ridge of Snowdon)

4.9

(131)

1,411

hikers

1. Snowdon loop on the Watkin Path from Nant Gwynant — Snowdonia National Park

13.3km

05:22

980m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

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Hard

4.9

(41)

436

hikers

2. Snowdon & Yr Aran loop on the Rhyd-Ddu path — Snowdonia National Park

14.6km

05:28

990m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Hard

5.0

(22)

356

hikers

3. Bwlch Main Ridge – Snowdon Summit (Yr Wyddfa) loop from Beddgelert

14.2km

06:16

1,000m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

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Hard

Tips

Alex Foxfield

December 7, 2020

This is the secluded and wild side of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Its relative tranquillity is not because of the quality of the hiking (which is superb), but because it takes you away from the honeypots of Llanberis and the Pen-y-Pass towards the quieter pastures of Rhyd-Ddu and Nantgwynant.

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.

Eleanor Jaskowska

January 16, 2020

Approach Snowdon's summit from the south side, this lesser known approach along Allt Maenderyn is quite technical with lots of scrambling. There is one particular pitch where you are just climbing up a shallow rock face but the rest of it is quite an easy path to follow. A great way of avoiding the crowds!

Ann (Peregrinate North West & Beyond)

September 22, 2025

🥾 A quieter and less famous than Crib Goch approach to Snowdon but offers a similar sense of mountain drama, without the technical scrambling (albeit some light scrambling involved). The approach includes grassy slopes, rocky outcrops, and finally a rugged ridge walk that demands concentration. The ascent is long and relentless. By the time you reach the ridge crest, you’ll feel you’ve earned it. Pathfinding is mostly straightforward, but mist can make the route across grassy shoulders and quarry tracks confusing lower down
👁️‍🗨️ To the west: Moel Hebog, the Nantlle Ridge, and out to the coast.
To the east: the deep bowl of Cwm Llan with its waterfalls and quarry ruins.
Ahead: the sharp continuation to Bwlch Main and the summit.
👥 Much quieter than the Llanberis or Pyg/Miners routes. The ridge gives that wild, almost alpine feeling of solitude

⚠️ You will need. a good head for heights as some of the path narrows to about 2 feet wide with dramatic drop on each side. There are couple of light scrambling sections. You will need a good head for heights! And some boots with good grips for some looser rock or scree sections.

Check the mountain forecast before heading out

🌬️ In high winds, the ridge can feel intimidating and unsafe.

🌧️❄️In ice, snow, or heavy rain, the narrow path and sloping rock become treacherous.

😶‍🌫️ Cloud / fog can reduce visibility and make it psychologically harder.

To sum up: Allt Maenderyn (the South Ridge) is one of the finest routes up Snowdon: quiet, scenic, dramatic, and just exposed enough to feel adventurous without being technical. It gives you the ridge-walking thrill of the mountain without the knife-edge danger of Crib Goch.
If you want a wilder, less crowded way to the summit with sweeping views and a genuine mountain atmosphere, the South Ridge is a superb choice.

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Details

Informations

Distance 1.56 km

Uphill 320 m

Weather

Today

Friday 26 December

3°C

-1°C

0 %

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Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

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Location: Beddgelert, Gwynedd, North Wales, Wales, United Kingdom

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Allt Maenderyn (South Ridge of Snowdon)

1. Snowdon loop on the Watkin Path from Nant Gwynant — Snowdonia National Park

2. Snowdon & Yr Aran loop on the Rhyd-Ddu path — Snowdonia National Park

3. Bwlch Main Ridge – Snowdon Summit (Yr Wyddfa) loop from Beddgelert

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