SH6253 : West peak of Y Lliwedd
Strenuous scrambling; Horseshoe very exposed

Y Lliwedd

898m Elevation
154m Prominence
Wales Country
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SH6253 : West peak of Y Lliwedd

Gareth James Photo source

Overview

Y Lliwedd is the 897.9 m highest western summit of the rocky ridge forming the southern arm of the Snowdon Horseshoe, above Llyn Llydaw in Eryri. East Top and Lliwedd Bach are separate summits. The routes below are complete mountain circuits including Yr Wyddfa, with scrambling, exposure and demanding navigation.

Y Lliwedd

The highest western summit is DoBIH 1978, 897.9 m, at SH622533. The summit feature is rock. East Top and Lliwedd Bach have their own identities; they are not interchangeable with this summit.

Route planning

Use the complete returning circuits and source-specific figures in the route cards. Both include Yr Wyddfa. The full Horseshoe also includes the much more exposed Crib Goch and Crib y Ddysgl. These are not standalone Y Lliwedd distance or time estimates. No totals are assigned here to the ambiguous Y Gribin variant or ascent-only Lliwedd description.

Mountain safety

This is serious mountain terrain, with scrambling and steep, loose ground above large cliffs. Navigation, weather and the ability to down-climb matter. On the Horseshoe, retain the southwest-ridge approach to the Watkin junction when leaving Yr Wyddfa; do not take a direct line to Bwlch y Saethau. Snow and ice require winter mountaineering skills and equipment.

Rock, name and history

BGS identifies the peak and northern face as volcanic tuff of the Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation. The name has competing proposed explanations. The Climbers’ Club attributes the start of its Eryri pocket-guide series to its 1909 Lliwedd volume.

Access

Pen y Pass is the start and finish for both route cards. Check Eryri’s current parking arrangements and the Sherpa’r Wyddfa timetable. The parking notice checked on 17 October 2026 states pre-booking until 1 November 2026. Carry provisions and do not depend on Yr Wyddfa summit facilities being open.

Sources were checked on 17 October 2026. This is a desk-based review, not a physical route inspection or a report of today’s ground conditions.

Explore routes near Y Lliwedd

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Snowdon Pyg Track returning by Miner's Track

12.3 km ~5h 30m Hard

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Beddgelert Forest: Derwen Circuit and Llyn Llywelyn

11 km ~4h Moderate

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Beddgelert Forest: Llyn Llywelyn Woodland Circuit

4.4 km ~2h 30m Moderate

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Llyn Crafnant: Lakeside Circuit from the NRW Car Park

5.1 km ~2h Easy

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Y Lliwedd and Yr Wyddfa from Pen y Pass (Pyg Track circuit)

Start and finish at Pen y Pass, SH647555. Take the Miners’ Track, leave it before the Llyn Llydaw causeway, and climb to the ridge near Lliwedd Bach. Traverse west over East Top to Y Lliwedd’s highest western summit. Descend carefully to Bwlch Ciliau, avoiding the northern cliffs. Follow the upper Watkin route via Bwlch y Saethau and its loose south-face traverse to the ridge junction, then ascend Yr Wyddfa. Return beside the railway to Bwlch Glas and take the Pyg Track via Bwlch y Moch to Pen y Pass. Walking Britain gives 12.2 km, 915 m ascent and 6 hours 30 minutes for this entire two-mountain circuit. Hands-on scrambling and mountain navigation are required; these are not Y Lliwedd-only figures.

12.2 km ~6.5 hours Strenuous; rocky scrambling and exposure

Snowdon Horseshoe from Pen y Pass (full circuit)

From Pen y Pass, SH647556, follow the Pyg approach to Bwlch y Moch, then Crib Goch’s East Ridge, exposed crest and pinnacles. Continue via Bwlch Coch and Crib y Ddysgl to Garnedd Ugain, Bwlch Glas and Yr Wyddfa. Descend the southwest ridge to the Watkin junction, then traverse the south face to Bwlch y Saethau and Bwlch Ciliau. Do not descend directly from Yr Wyddfa toward Bwlch y Saethau. Cross Y Lliwedd’s highest western summit, East Top and Lliwedd Bach; descend toward Llyn Llydaw, cross the Cwm Dyli stream and follow the Miners’ Track to the same start. UKHillwalking gives 11.43 km, 963 m ascent and 6 hours for the whole circuit. Its grade-1 scrambling is highly exposed; allow for slow progress and down-climbing.

11.4 km ~6 hours Difficult; very exposed grade-1 scrambling
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Simm Hewitt Nuttall High Hills of Britain

Elevation

898m

2,946 ft

Prominence

154m

Coordinates

53.0595, -4.0571

SH622533

OS Map

115

Explorer: OL17W

At the Summit

DoBIH identifies a rock at the highest western summit, SH 62245 53339, at 897.9 m. East Top (DoBIH 1979) and Lliwedd Bach (DoBIH 1985) are separate. A particular summit cairn or trig pillar is not established by the source record.

Terrain & Geology

Rocky and rugged with sections of scrambling required. The paths can be wet and slippery especially after rain.

BGS identifies Y Lliwedd’s peak and north face with the Ordovician Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation. The north face contains massive, non-welded acidic ash-flow tuffs associated with volcanism and caldera subsidence. Other formations occur farther east along the ridge; the summit should not be described as granite.

Views & Scenery

Clear conditions give views across Llyn Llydaw to Crib Goch and towards Yr Wyddfa and neighbouring ridges. Visibility depends on cloud and weather.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The meaning of Y Lliwedd is uncertain. The name research consulted presents competing explanations and does not establish a definitive translation.

Historical Significance

The Climbers’ Club says its 1909 Lliwedd climbing guide was the first in its pocket-guide series for Eryri. This is an attributed guidebook-history statement, not evidence for a first ascent or a definitive account of local legends.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Both described circuits start at Pen y Pass. The official Eryri page checked on 17 October 2026 states that pre-booking remains in operation until 1 November 2026. Check current arrangements before travel, including after that date; an early arrival does not substitute for a required booking. Consider the official park-and-ride options and avoid roadside parking.

Public Transport

Sherpa’r Wyddfa serves Pen y Pass, with links from Llanberis, Nant Peris and other settlements. Check the current timetable for your travel date and last return; no individual departure, frequency or fare is verified here.

Nearby Facilities

Toilets are listed at Pen y Pass. Carry food and water for the complete outing. Do not rely on Hafod Eryri on the separate Yr Wyddfa summit: its facilities are seasonal and depend on summit trains operating. Check current opening before travel.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Large northern cliffs make route-finding errors serious, particularly descending towards Bwlch Ciliau. Do not use gullies or cliff slopes as shortcuts.
  • Steep rock, loose ground and down-climbing require care. Wet rock, strong winds and poor visibility increase risk.
  • The full Horseshoe includes Crib Goch’s highly exposed scrambling. Grade 1 is not a low-risk walking grade.
  • Plan a complete return, carry mountain navigation and emergency equipment, and check the mountain forecast and ground conditions.

Seasonal Hazards

Snow, ice and verglas can turn these circuits into winter mountaineering routes. Appropriate winter skills and equipment are needed; no season guarantees safe conditions.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Y Lliwedd?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Y Lliwedd through the maps

Are there other walkers around Y Lliwedd?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Y Lliwedd search or of course create your own walk for Y Lliwedd

Can I organise a walk to Y Lliwedd?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Y Lliwedd.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Y Lliwedd?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Y Lliwedd here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

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Location

Y Lliwedd location map

Grid reference: SH622533

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