At a glance
Crib Goch is the knife-edge arête on Snowdon's east ridge — a Grade 1 scramble with severe exposure and one of the most dramatic mountain experiences in Wales. Only for experienced scramblers with a head for heights. Start at Pen-y-Pass (Snowdon Sherpa bus recommended). Most often completed as part of the full Snowdon Horseshoe: 13 km, 1,000 m ascent, 5–7 hours.
Safety information
This is a Grade 1 scramble — not a walk. Sustained exposure on a knife-edge ridge with significant drops on both sides. People die here every year, including in summer. Only attempt in good weather with experience of scrambling, a head for heights, and proper kit.
Kit: walking boots with grip, helmet recommended, waterproofs, warm layer, hat & gloves, OS Explorer OL17 (Snowdonia), 1.5 L water, charged phone, head torch. Check the weather at mwis.org.uk on the morning. In an emergency call 999, ask for Police / Mountain Rescue, give your what3words location. Local team: the relevant Mountain Rescue Team.
About Crib Goch
Crib Goch — "Red Ridge" in Welsh — is the narrow arête that forms the east arm of the Snowdon Horseshoe, rising from the col above Pen-y-Pass to a high point of 923 metres. The ridge is legendary in British mountaineering for its extreme narrowness: at the crest, the ridge is sometimes only a metre wide, with drops of 600 metres on both sides — north into Cwm Glas, south towards Llyn Llydaw and the Miners' Track. For experienced scramblers it is one of the most exciting mountain days in Britain; for those who misjudge the difficulty, it is one of the most dangerous.
The scramble itself follows the full length of the ridge, requiring use of hands throughout, a solid sense of balance and complete comfort with significant exposure. The rock is rhyolite — rough and grippy when dry, treacherous when wet. At the far end of the main arête, a series of pinnacles adds a final technical challenge before the ridge eases to the broader shoulder of Crib y Ddysgl and the path to Snowdon's summit.
Crib Goch is most commonly climbed as the first section of the Snowdon Horseshoe — one of the great mountain circuits of Britain and Ireland. The full horseshoe continues from Snowdon across to Y Lliwedd and descends back to Pen-y-Pass via the Miners' Track, taking in four summits above 900 metres and some of the finest ridge scenery in the British Isles.
Route information
- Start — Pen-y-Pass (LL55 4NY, 359 m). Pyg Track from the car park; branch right at the col for Crib Goch east ridge. Allow 1.5 hours from car park to ridge.
- Grade — Grade 1 scramble. Hands required throughout. Severe exposure on both sides. Not a walk.
- Distance (Horseshoe) — Approximately 13 km for the full Snowdon Horseshoe.
- Ascent (Horseshoe) — Approximately 1,000 m.
- Time (Horseshoe) — 5–7 hours depending on pace and conditions.
- Crib Goch only — The ridge can be reversed back to Pen-y-Pass (approximately 3 hours) but route-finding off the ridge is difficult. Most parties continue to Snowdon.
Visiting tips
Getting there
Pen-y-Pass (LL55 4NY) is on the A4086 between Llanberis and Capel Curig. The car park is small and fills early — plan to arrive before 7am in summer or take the Snowdon Sherpa bus (S2 from Llanberis, S4 from Betws-y-Coed). No parking is permitted on the roadside verges.
Safety
Check the MWIS mountain weather forecast before going. Full waterproofs, warm layers and a map/compass are essential even in summer. A helmet is advisable. Do not attempt in wet, windy or icy conditions unless you are an experienced mountaineer with appropriate equipment.
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
Crib Goch is graded as a Grade 1 scramble — meaning it requires use of hands as well as feet, with significant exposure (drops of several hundred metres on both sides of the arête). It is not a walk and should not be attempted by walkers without scrambling experience, a good head for heights, and the ability to navigate and move confidently on steep, rocky terrain. In wet or icy conditions it becomes considerably more serious.
The Snowdon Horseshoe is one of the finest mountain circuits in Britain — a ridge walk taking in Crib Goch (923 m), Crib y Ddysgl (1,065 m), Snowdon summit (1,085 m) and Y Lliwedd (898 m) in a complete circuit above Pen-y-Pass. The full horseshoe is approximately 13 km with 1,000 m of ascent, taking 5–7 hours. It should only be attempted in good visibility by those with scrambling experience.
The standard approach climbs the Pyg Track from Pen-y-Pass to the col below Crib Goch, then takes the east ridge upwards. Once on the ridge proper, the full arête must be traversed to descend the other side — there is no easy escape route from the ridge crest without serious technical difficulty. If you are not comfortable scrambling the ridge, you should not start it.
Crib Goch is at its most dangerous in winter conditions — ice, snow and high winds make the arête extremely hazardous and require crampons, ice axe and the knowledge to use them. In summer it is still a serious undertaking in wet weather, as the rock becomes slippery. Always check the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) forecast before setting out.
The standard starting point is Pen-y-Pass (LL55 4NY), the mountain pass between Llanberis and the Ogwen Valley at 359 m. The car park is often full by 7am in summer — the Snowdon Sherpa bus (S2 from Llanberis, S4 from Betws-y-Coed) is the recommended alternative. The Pyg Track from Pen-y-Pass reaches the Crib Goch col in approximately 1.5 hours.