Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) Horseshoe loop from Pen-y-Pass — Trail Running in Eryri (Snowdonia)

The Snowdon Horseshoe is the most famous, and arguably one of the best horseshoe routes in Britain. A classic hike, it also makes a challenging but brilliant run, taking in four sections of scrambling, four summits, amazing trails and awesome views all the way around. Be prepared for sections of hands-on scrambling with plenty of exposure. In dry, calm conditions the scrambling is an easy Grade 1, but higher winds and wet conditions make it a much more serious beast. In winter conditions it’s a mountaineering route requiring specialist skills and equipment and shouldn’t be attempted as a run.

Known as a classic fell running challenge, some impressive running records have been set and beaten here over the years. The current fastest times are held by Finlay Wild (1h 20m 16s in May 2019) and Sarah Ridgway (1h 43m 20s in October 2011).

The run starts at Pen-y-Pass and up the popular Pyg Track. The first scramble soon branches off to the right, climbing steeply up the east ridge of Crib Goch. After this tough ascent comes the magnificent Crib Goch ridge line, a spectacularly airy ridge with a steep slope on the left and a sheer drop on the right. Stay left for the least exposure. Next comes the steeper Crib-y-Ddysgl scramble to the summit of Garnedd Ugain. Like Crib Goch, the most exciting scrambling involves sticking to the ridge, but you can always skirt around the harder or more exposed sections if you wish. From the trig point on Crib-y-Ddysgl the running gets easier, heading slightly downhill to the finger stone at Bwlch Glas. Here, the route joins the other trails and becomes busier on the approach to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).

From the summit there's a steep descent on the Watkin path, contouring across the scree slope to Bwlch Ciliau. Leave the Watkin path here to scramble up towards the last summit of the day, Y Lliwedd. A rocky ridgeline takes you over the summit and down the other side, eventually joining the Miners Track on the shore of Llyn Llydaw. The home stretch follows this comparative motorway back to Pen-y-Pass where an ice cream/coffee/beer awaits.

Pen-y-Pass has a small, expensive and very busy car park; it’s rare to find a place here unless you arrive very early. It’s best to use the Sherpa bus, which runs regularly from Llanberis, Bangor and Betws-y-Coed (plus other start points). The other option is to stay at YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass, with the trails on your doorstep.

For kit, cafes, pubs, accommodation and supplies, Capel Curig, Beddgelert or Llanberis are all close by. There's a café at the start but there aren’t any refreshment stops on this run except for the summit café, which is open seasonally, so take food and drinks with you. It’s always worth carrying emergency kit on a mountain run, including a warm layer, emergency bivi bag, small first aid kit, torch, whistle and compass.