Crib Goch
Looking back at Crib Goch
Location: SH 624 552
Getting there: The traditional approach is from the East - approach from the Pen-y-Pass car park along the Pyg track and follow the signed fork to Crib Goch. NOTE it is not possible to reach the ridge without scrambling. Please park responsibly, Pen-y-Pass car park must be booked in advance, but Park and Ride available
Height unmarked, highest point of ridge): 923m
Prominence: 65m
Map: OS Explorer OL17 Snowdon & Conwy Valley
Towering, imposing, and intimidating. Famous for being the most difficult walk up its parent peak, Yr Wydda (Snowdon), Crib Goch provides scrambling, technical adventure and exposure to make a challenging, yet exhilarating day out.
Looking back at the imposing pinnacles, and the knife-ridge of Crib Goch
Literally meaning ‘Red Ridge’, this mountain tops the ‘to-do’ list of many UK explorers. The ridge, and route to it, is listed as a Grade I scramble, which means that although the route should be within the abilities of most hillwalkers without needing any additional equipment, the use of hands is required. That said, embarking on this challenge alone, without any scrambling experience, is ill-advised, as a pleasant day in the mountains quickly ramps up to an adrenaline-pumping experience, that rarely lets off until you reach the summit of neighbouring Crib y Ddygsl.
The traditional traverse of the ridge is from east to west, starting at the Pen-y-Pass car park. Following the Pyg Track initially, you soon take the right fork, signposted for ‘Crib Goch’. The approach to the ridge is both steep and feels incredibly exposed - you definitely have the sense of ‘clinging onto the side of a mountain’. Technically, there is a ‘bad step’ (called ‘The Wall’) relatively close to the start, which requires an exposed climb (yep, a proper climb) of about half a dozen moves with some tricky holds. The actual risk is quite low, but will certainly leave you with a feeling of exhilaration.
Climbing up to the Crib Goch summit
The ridge itself is certainly narrow, but not as ‘knife-edge like’ as some of the wide-angle YouTube videos would have you believe. The right side of the ridge drops off steeply, but the left side is considerably shallower and a ledge follows the ridge, perhaps about 1 metre below the apex - a perfect height walk along while holding on to the rock.
On top of the Crib Goch ridge
Three pinnacles mark the end of the ridge - these look far more difficult than they are, though the best route across them isn’t always obvious.
From here, there is more scrambling fun to be had on the climb up to Crib-y-Ddygsl, and once Snowdon is conquered, a descent via Y Lliwedd completes the horseshoe scramble.
Some elect to traverse Crib Goch from west to east which is more difficult (not least because you’re maneuvering around people coming the other way).
In bad weather, the ridge is best avoided - the slippery rocks and high winds can give you a lot more to think about - and in winter this becomes a different prospect entirely.
