Yr Wyddfa South Ridge: A Quieter Way to the Roof of Wales

by Alan Cole · Published Sunday, August 2nd, 2026 · Updated Sunday, August 2nd, 2026

I had another great day in the hills on Friday with Clélia and Mel. Several plans were floated, but with Mel heading back to France soon, we thought we should at least summit Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) before she left Wales. It is the highest mountain in Wales after all, even if it isn’t my favourite. In fact, I’d probably still put it in my top ten, but the crowds do take away some of its appeal.

So, which route? Both Clélia and Mel are fit and more than capable of tackling any of the main paths. Crib Goch would have been the most exciting option, but I knew Clélia wouldn’t have enjoyed the exposure, and the last thing I wanted was to put either of them off scrambling. I also wanted a quieter route where they could enjoy the scenery, experience a bit of solitude, and get a real taste of the mountains of North Wales.

In the end, I chose the South Ridge. It offers fantastic views, some enjoyable almost-scrambly sections, and just enough exposure above Rhyd Ddu to make things interesting without feeling intimidating. We’d then join the busier paths for the final climb to the summit before descending via the Watkin Path, with a stop at the pools on the way back.

Everything worked out perfectly. The South Ridge had everything I was hoping for. It was much quieter than the more popular routes, yet offered plenty of variety. The weather couldn’t have been better. The cloud that had been covering the summit gradually lifted as we climbed, a light breeze kept us cool, and the views just kept getting better. We stopped for a while to relax on a grassy slope while a helicopter buzzed around the valley and choughs soared and tumbled along the cliffs.

As expected, things became busier once the Rhyd Ddu Path joined ours, and busier still when we met the Watkin Path. The summit was absolute mayhem. There was a long queue for the summit photo, the café was packed, and there was an unpleasant smell from the septic system struggling to cope with the sheer number of visitors. It quickly reminded me why Yr Wyddfa isn’t one of my favourite mountains. I think the girls felt much the same. Neither fancied queueing for the summit marker so we squeezed into the crowded café, grabbed a coffee and a snack, and then headd to the far side of the summit to admire the views across to Crib Goch and over the Pyg and Miners’ Tracks. We took a few photos just away from the summit, and then made a fairly quick escape down the Watkin Path.

Taking in the views from the highest point in Wales

The descent was still busy, but nothing compared with the summit. We settled into a good pace, overtaking several groups as we went, and before long we reached the pools. Shoes and socks came off for a refreshing paddle before the final walk back to the car.

Clélia had looked tired throughout the day and was looking forward to a snooze on the drive home. Mel, meanwhile, spent the journey eating my sweets and judging my music playlist! I think she secretly enjoyed it though, because she ended up singing along to at least half the songs.

I had a great day. Yr Wyddfa may never be my favourite mountain, but it’s one that deserves to be climbed every now and then. I think the South Ridge was the perfect choice for the day, and I hope Clélia and Mel enjoyed it as much as I did. They’ve now stood on the roof of Wales, discovered a quieter side of its busiest mountain, and shared plenty of laughs along the way.