The northern end of the Nantlle Ridge
A moderate walk (mountain (above 600m)) in national park Snowdonia in Gwynedd, Wales, about 9.50km (5.90 mi) long with an estimated walking time of about 4:00h. It is unsuitable for families with children, prams & pushchairs, wheelchairs.
Elevation Profile
Ascent
487m (1597ft)
Descent
487m (1597ft)
Max. Elevation
680m (2230ft)
Altitude Gain & Loss
974m (3194ft)
Start & End
Rhyd Ddu bus stop
Distance
9.50km
(5.9mi)
(5.9mi)
Duration
~4:00h
Difficulty
Moderate
Ordnance Survey Map
Once known as Snowdonia’s best kept secret, the Nantlle Ridge is an eye-catching line of six hills lying southwest of the Snowdon massif. To walk the whole ridge in one attempt presents major logistical problems; the six summits are laid out in a line, meaning there is no easy way back. But a day traversing the four northernmost peaks combines the best these hills have to offer; enjoyable scrambling, the finest ridge walk this side of Crib Goch, all easily accessed by the Snowdon Sherpa bus.
Walk Functions
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Nearby Walks
Nantlle Ridge
A moderate, linear walk (mountain (above 600m)) starting in Gwynedd, Wales, about 12.20km (7.58 mi) long, duration: ~5:00h.The Rhyd-Ddu path up Snowdon
A moderate, circular walk (mountain (above 600m)) starting in Gwynedd, Wales, about 12.00km (7.46 mi) long, duration: ~6:00h.Rhyd Ddu to Beddgelert
A leisurely, linear walk (countryside) starting in Gwynedd, Wales, about 7.40km (4.60 mi) long, duration: ~2:15h.Walk Map
- $walk->POI array(0)
Waypoints
OS Grid SH569528
From the bus stop, head up the hairpin road behind the Cwellyn Arms pub. At the first bend in the road, take the bridleway heading out across farmland. The path starts to climb the grassy flank of Y Garn, taking no prisoners as it heads straight up the steepest line on the hill.
OS Grid SH552526
The summit of Y Garn offers the first great views of the day; to the north is the dramatic face of Craig y Bera on Mynydd Mawr, rising up above the Nantlle valley; looking east is Yr Aran, one of Snowdon’s most photogenic outposts.
About 1.73 km (~1.07 miles) from 
OS Grid SH549518
From the comfort of Y Garn, the scramble up to Mynydd Drws-y-coed can look a little intimidating; the drop down the right-hand side over Clogwyn Marchnad commands a healthy respect. But once you are in among the rocks, the holds are large and plentiful and the path follows an easy line.
About 0.85 km (~0.53 miles) from 
OS Grid SH545515
Along the ridge to Trum y Ddysgl, the walk switches from a rocky scramble to a simple romp over smooth, grass-covered slopes. Before getting into your stride, look back towards the dark, mossy crags of Clogwyn Marchnad, the western face of Mynydd Drws-y-coed.
About 0.45 km (~0.28 miles) from 
OS Grid SH536514
Mynydd Tal-y-mignedd lies across another section of exposed ridge. From here, follow the wall that runs along the southern shoulder before veering left past the rocky outcrops into Cwm Dwyfor. No clear path here, so just pick a line across open access land and head into Cwm Pennant.
About 0.92 km (~0.57 miles) from 
OS Grid SH551501
The route joins a bridleway into the Beddgelert Forest.
About 1.92 km (~1.19 miles) from 
OS Grid SH557514
The path skirts along the edge of the forest, soon passing an old disused mine shaft, now fenced off to prevent unwary hikers from missing the shaft, hidden amongst a sea of ferns and mosses.
About 1.34 km (~0.83 miles) from 
OS Grid SH567526
After leaving the forest, the bridleway skirts the bottoms of the hills you have just enjoyed, before dropping back into Rhyd-Ddu the way you came in. Time for a final gaze upon the distinctive skyline of these rewarding hills and enjoy a pint in the Cwellyn Arms.
About 1.56 km (~0.97 miles) from 
Want the full monty?OS Grid SH569527
If you do want to do the whole of the Nantlle Ridge as car-free as possible, then Snowdonia Green Key has set up a taxi service to ferry groups from the far end back to the bus stop at Rhyd Ddu - more details at: www.snowdoniagreenkey.co.uk/index2.asp?id=47
About 0.25 km (~0.16 miles) from 
