A Complete Guide to the Crib Goch Route to Snowdon
The Crib Goch route is one of the UK’s most popular mountain walking paths. If you’re into scrambling, then you’ve heard of it. You’ve heard of how challenging yet exciting to be up there on the Grade 1 Scramble to the summit of Snowdon. It has been the talk of people for centuries and is impressive.
It is similar to Helvellyn’s Striding Edge in the Lake District, yet in our opinion, it is much more demanding and frightening due to the sheer drops and exposure from the ridge. It has claimed many lives over the years, so it is good that you are reading this to know what to expect. You will often be on your hands and feet, and there is not a clear path to follow.
The knife-edged area is the toughest route up Snowdon, and you should proceed cautiously. If you are a novice walker, you should not attempt the Crib Goch walk until you have more hill or walking experience. It is the 3rd highest peak of the Snowdon group and the 14th highest in Snowdonia, reaching 3027ft. The name in Welsh translates to red rock.
Crib Goch Ridge Walk Details
Crib Goch Route Time: 4.5-6.5 hours depending on speed, fitness and scrambling skill.
Distance: 12.2km
Elevation: 887m
Map: Explorer OL17 or Landranger 115
Crib Goch Parking
You can park in Pen y Pass Car Park or Pont y Gromlech Car Park. However, you will have to get there very early and book a space in advance. We were lucky and got someone to kindly drop us off and pick us up because we left booking a space too late, which is a lot easier.
However, not everyone has that privilege, so you could also use the Park and Ride at Nant Peris and catch the Sherpa bus to the start.
Crib Goch Weather
If the weather is poor, then we would not recommend heading up Crib Goch. You should use one of the other paths up Snowdon instead. The ridge is best when the weather is good and dry and there are no high winds, as you risk falling.
We recommend checking the following for mountain weather. It is a challenge that you must be prepared for.
We check the Met Office as well as MWIS. This forecast provides a detailed view of the mountains and is what you’ll need.
Top Tips
- You will not be able to avoid the ridge. It is not like other ridges where you can take a lower path. Therefore, you must commit to it if you want to do the Crib Goch walk.
- Drop slightly towards the left-hand side of the ridge. The right is a sheer drop. This way, you can use the crest to hold with your hands for some stability.
- If you are with someone that is struggling or freezes, you should not try to make it down from the ridge as it is too dangerous. It happens, and the best advice is to take it slow. It happens a lot.
- If someone not in your group freezes, you should again stay calm and patient. The last thing the person needs is you up their back. Instead, it would be best if you reassured them to take their time and that you are not in a rush. They will let you pass when it is safe, and it is also their decision.
- Take a large scaled map and a compass. This way, you can have a lot of detail and understand the steepness through the contour lines. It can help with navigating. You could also use an app to help – but you need to consider a portable power bank and a backup map if it fails. There are no signs on the route other than the one that says CRIB GOCH with an arrow, which would not suffice.
- Do not attempt the Crib Goch route in winter unless you are experienced. Stepping on snow could be an issue, and you could fall.
The ridge of Crib Goch Route Directions to Snowdon
Stage 1 – From Pen Y Pass to Views over Llyn Llydaw
Begin from Pen Y Pass car park, which is a great spot as there are some toilets you can use before you set off. You will need to take the Pyg Track to begin your walk on the left-hand side of the toilets. It starts on a tarmac track, but then there will be stony steps as you begin to go up. It is one of the popular ways to reach Snowdon’s summit, so that it might be busy. The path passes Carreg Gwalch and Bwlch y Moch and eventually opens up.
When you see the magnificent Llyn Llydaw in front of you (the lakes), it is time to turn right and say goodbye to the Pyg Track. A small sign will guide you, but it is not that obvious. You have gone too far if you come to the two small stiles with PYG SNOWDON written on a blue sign.
Stage 2 – Over Llyn Llydaw to Crossing Crib Goch
The next part of the walk is to climb up to Crib Goch Ridge. You will come to a craggy wall known as the ‘bad step’. If you find the first part challenging at any time, you may want to go back before it is too difficult to do so. It will involve a lot of scrambling, and you need to watch out for screens. It feels like rock climbing here, and we saw some people with proper equipment.
Eventually, you will come to the ridge you have heard so much about. It will be narrow, but some of it is quite flat. The views are indescribable at this point. We are not sure we’ve seen much better. Now, when crossing the Crib Goch ridge, you can use your hands and feet or traverse along. It is entirely personal preference and what feels comfortable for you.
The summit is about halfway, but most people won’t notice as they concentrate too much on making it to the other side.
Stage 3 – Crib Goch Summit to Snowdon’s Summit
From the summit, continue your Crib Goch walk to Bwlch Coch by traversing the Pinnacles, with some more scrambling on Garnedd Again. You can connect back to the Pyg Track at Bwlch Coch or continue. We don’t recommend going down because it is steep and seems dangerous. Stick to the ridge if possible and continue onto Crib y Ddysgl for some further scrambling.
From here, continue straight and turn left to walk up towards the summit. Let us know if you queued for a picture at the top or just decided to wander around at the top instead!
Stage 4 – Snowdon Summit to Pen Y Pass (via the Miner’s Track)
We opted to head down the Miner’s Track, but you could complete the Snowdon Horseshoe route instead for a full adventure.
From the summit, you will need to head back down and retrace your steps until you reach the first path on your right. It is the Pyg Track, which you started on, and if you want to take a more direct route back, you can continue. However, if you have the energy, we recommend heading down the Miner’s Track, which will be below you. It is because you can have a rest at the lakes below, and you’ll be able to see some outstanding waterfalls.
The path is easy to follow, and although steep at first, once you reach the lake, it becomes flatter and is quite pleasant to walk along. You can now relax and gaze up at the dots of people doing the Crib Goch route above! Eventually, the path will bring you to the opposite end of the Pen y Pass car park, which you started from, and you will have to return to your car! Crib Goch route complete!
Crib Goch Route Map
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I pack for the Crib Goch Walk?
- Rucksack and waterproof cover.
- Walking socks
- Good footwear with a rubber sole (something you can move in comfortably). We wore hiking shoes.
- Water, food and snacks.
- First Aid Kit
- Suncream
- Waterproof jacket.
- Hat and Gloves
- Layers
- Compass/Map
Can dogs walk up Crib Goch?
We would not recommend taking dogs along the Crib Goch route. The ridge requires your concentration, and a dog would distract from that! You know your dog, so you should decide, but there are plenty more routes up Snowdon that would be more suitable.
How long does it take to walk along Crib Goch?
Walking along Crib Goch ridge takes about 3.5 hours. However, you will need to factor in time in case of a traffic jam or if you are behind someone afraid and freezes. Most people continue up to Snowdon and then return a different way so that it would take much longer.
How long is the Crib Goch walk?
The Crib Goch walk, including the Snowdon summit and back along the Miners Track, is 12.2km long.
How hard is the Crib Goch walk?
Yes, Crib Goch is a difficult walk. It is good to know that not all grade scrambles are equal, even if they have the same grade. It is more hazardous than other routes in the same grade.
Is it safe to walk up Crib Goch?
Is it safe to walk up any mountain? It is the most hazardous way up Snowdon, so you should approach with care and knowledge, preferably not alone. There have been many deaths on Crib Goch, and many have been from experienced hikers who have been unlucky.
Honest Review of Crib Goch
We had mentally prepared for the Crib Goch walk, watching videos on Youtube, looking at Google Images and reading other detailed blog posts about the Crib Goch Route and Crib Goch Scramble. To be honest, we think this made it a lot easier as we knew what to expect when we reached the ridge, where we were going, and how to check the weather to make sure it was as safe as possible.
That being said, the route in places was NOT straightforward and relied on a bit of guesswork as we went. We would not recommend this scramble to anyone with a fear of heights or a beginner hiker. Before setting off for this one, you need to have some experience in the bag. You could try Striding Edge or the Gribin Ridge. It is one of the most challenging scrambles in the UK, never mind scrambles in Snowdonia.
If you’re in the area, we recommend the following Snowdonia Walks:
Photo Credits: averagelives.com
We want to stress that ‘Average Lives’ cannot be held liable for any injuries or accidents that may occur while walking our routes. We strongly advise that you wear proper footwear to reduce the risk of injuries, and carry a paper map and compass to ensure your safety while walking. You can read more on our About Page.
