Nantlle Ridge 11 June 2008

My last trip to Snowdonia had been on 3^rd December (blog #3).  I had intended to walk the east section of the Nantlle Ridge as part of the research for the Discovery Walking Guides Snowdonia project.  I already had a GPS track log for the route, but it was a messy composite of two different days walking – I also had some photographs, which were OK if you like different shades of grey mist, but didn’t really show the route to its best advantage.  A combination of deep, fresh snow and low cloud meant I was unlikely to improve on what I already had, so I made a vow to return before too long.

Moel Hebog, Moel yr Ogof and Moel Lefn in the morning mist

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) with Yr Aran off to the right

8^th April – A weather forecast so optimistic as to be almost a work of fantasy had tempted me back to North Wales.  Following my usual route cross country from Ruthin to Cerrigydrudion, I had an early view of Tryfan and the Glyderau, and there wasn’t a cloud in sight.  So, I couldn’t believe it as I approached Pen y Gwryd and saw the clouds down low over Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).  By the time I reached the start point at Rhyd Ddu things were starting to improve a bit, and as I set off up Y Garn the clouds finally broke up.

Start of the Nantlle Ridge - Mynydd Drws-y-Coed from Y Garn

Mynydd Drws-y-Coed - "Up Close and Personal"

The most interesting part of the ridge comes into view near the top of Y Garn, with Mynydd Drws-y-Coed standing up like a shark’s fin.  As well as looking interesting, it has the most technical part of the outing, being classed as a grade 1 rock scramble – this is probably over-graded, as there are only a couple of places where you have to stop and think about the next move.  Extra interest was added by the state of the rock – slate, still a bit greasy after the damp winter weather, requiring just a bit of care extra.

The summit of Trum y Ddysgl

The ridge off Trum y Ddysgl

Then all too soon it’s over, at least as far as the rock is concerned.  What follows is a superb romp along an undulating, grassy ridge.   You not only look as if you are on top of the world, you also feel as if you are!  The summit of Mynydd Drws-y-Coed is succeeded by a small grassy plateau on Trum y Ddysgl (highest mountain of the day at 709 metres), from where a wide, easy path drops down to a col with bit more scrambling on the way.  From there an easy slope takes you up to Mynydd Tal-y mignedd, with its large stone obelisk marking the summit.

Mynydd Tal-y-Mignedd, with Craig Cwm Silyn beyond and left

"...imposing and impressive..." Craig Cwm Silyn

Another wide, grassy ridge drops down to a col nestling below the imposing and impressive Craig Cwm Silyn.  That was for another day though.  The complete Nantlle Ridge from east to west is recognised as one of the finest high-level routes in Wales, but getting back to your start point at Rhyd Ddu is far from simple, unless you use two cars.  A simpler option is to leave the route before Craig Cwm Silyn, taking an easy descent down a grassy cwm to return to Rhyd Ddu by a bridleway through the edge of Beddgelert Forest.  A visit to the Cwellyn Arms to finish off was the perfect end to a perfect day

The easy descent down the grassy cwm

Looking back to Craig Cwm Silyn from the bridleway

Text and images © Paul Shorrock