Snowdon by the Watkin Path

Best Map: Harveys Superwalker Snowdonia West

Best Guide: Pathfinder Guide North Wales Snowdon and Offa's Dyke Walk 28. (ISBN 0-7117-0993-9)

Start: Carpark on the A498 at grid 628508 (pay and display)

Notes: Easy walk-in climbing pleasantly through trees. Soon turns into open country. Cairned route quite easy to follow as long as you pay attention. Great care is needed as you approach the scree slope at grid 615540. The books suggest that there is a zigzag path across the scree but you will do well to spot it. We traversed as a steep diagonal (mild scramble) to emerge by the standing stone. (See Photo Album page.) Unless the weather is horrible I would give the cafe a miss. Head on up to the summit and have a brew instead. Oh yes Lesley says eat some chocolate as well.

The decent via the Bwlch Main ridge is harder than it looks. Care is needed in 2 or 3 places where you need to scramble down steep slopes. Be sure to keep left at grid 606538 where an inviting downhill path leaves to the right.

The decent into Cwn Llan from Bwlch Cwn Llan is tricky and steep at first but soon flattens out. When you join the old tram road don’t be tempted to use it to regain the start. Rejoin your walk-in route at grid 621520 instead.