Snowdon Horseshoe via Crib Goch by Drone - Hardest route to the summit

Possibly the best hike I've ever done! The Snowdon Horseshoe via Crib Goch, Garnedd Ugain, Snowdon Summit and Y Lliwedd traverses the entire horseshoe ridge line from Pen y Pas car park up to the summit of Snowdon and back round again.
Traversing the Crib Goch knife edge and the pinnacles wasn't too scary, most videos don't really show it very well, hopefully, my drone footage will show you in better detail. The scramble to the top of Crib Goch and along to Snowdon was incredible.
I actually summited Snowdon the day before and went along Y Llywedd, but the fog was very low and visibility was poor, so I'm really glad that I decided to wait until this day to complete the entire trek.
Situated in Snowdonia National Park in Wales, the Snowdon Horseshoe is 7 and a half miles long, usually takes 6 hours with a summit on Snowdon at 1,085 metres above sea level. This trek isn't for the faint-hearted and if it's your first attempt of Crib Goch, I highly recommend going for it in good visibility for your safety.
I went alone, but without a guide, it was fine as the path is very well maintained, so not much need for a map unless you're going in poor conditions.
BTW, I MADE THIS INCREDIBLE BIT OF GEAR
Check it out! thrunotes.co.uk
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[@teamofsteve]

This is a great route. To anyone unsure about Grib Goch. Take an easier route to Snowdon and return via Lliwedd as shown in the video. This will give you a scrambling fix without as much exposure.

[@barrywebber100]

Thanks for posting such beautiful, dramatic, incredible, scenic, landscapes. The views are simply stunning.

[@_alangjones_9429]

The best hiking videos on you tube. First class.

[@roxeighkynaston2186]

I did snowdonia and I realised very quickly I had a massive fear of Heights and falling so for as much of an amazing experience as it was never again haha

[@willhowells1991]

I'm the trail runner. Love your videos mate. Keep it up!

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Haha ahh amazing! Hope your run went well mate! Always great to meet my viewers, albeit very brief.

[@willhowells1991]

Haha I would have stoppef but it was head down and get to the summit at that point; might not have got moving again if I did.

[@marys5505]

Thank you for this great video. I intend to summit Snowdon via Grib Goch and this is by far the most explanatory video I 've watched. Use of drones really made the difference.

[@peterf46]

Those drone shots! Most of the times I’ve been on this walk it’s been cloudy and rainy but the sunny days are like being in paradise! Stunning video.

[@michaelingledew]

I was lucky enough to do this route as a young man in the mid-80’s when I was a Junior Soldier. We did it with packs on our back and I remember it being very sketchy in places. Your video has brought back some great memories, thank you - Mike

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Hi Michael. Thanks for watching and for the kind words, also for your work for our country in the army. It’s a fantastic part of the world and feels like home now I’m spending so much time there. All the best. 👍

[@WyeExplorer]

I did similar with the Junior Para back in 85 Michael. They could beast you back then to. A different story now. It is a fabulous place, which I remember from back then even.

[@wildrunner5820]

Some of the most stunning views of Snowdonia I've ever seen 😍 well done!!

[@anna__bella_k]

Absolutely stunning! 😍 Great video 🙌🏻

[@adamlong4843]

I started hiking about 18 months ago. Managed one munro so far and Pen-y-ghent is my highest in England. Lockdown has put a stop to that! This footage is absolutely spectacular and makes me even more eager to get out there again. This route is definitely something to build towards. Cracking.

[@TheAdventureGeek]

Omg! This footage is the best I’ve seen of Snowdon. Well done Russ. Friggin awesome!

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Ahh thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it. 👍

[@drezlove]

I did that crib goch route aged 16 while in the army as part of our training, later while jumping through scree on our decent, a groups of school kids were coming up and I bumped into an old school friend id not seen for a few years, it all seemed so surreal. We then had an over night camp beside the lake.

[@gonewild1220]

Beautifully done matey!! Them views were spectacular great seeing this hike from your perspective, great editing, your really setting the standards now... love it!! cheers mate! 👍

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Jodz Harrison ahh thanks so much as always dude. All the best to ya.

[@ethannf502]

This is so cool! This is beautiful

[@BenjaminWilcock]

Damn Russ this is fu*king sick!!!! Amazing video. Stellar work

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Haha yess matey! Thanks very much. Really enjoyed making this one and the trek was one of the best I’ve ever done. Nice one bro. 👍

[@jamiesut5866]

A beautiful perspective, thank you!

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Ahh thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed it. 👍

[@DW-dd4iw]

I'm just rewatching this on my TV and your filming is fantastic! The whole clip is nicely put together too.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Ahh thanks so much. Really means a lot. Glad you’re enjoying my videos. Any questions, fire them over. 👍

[@WyeExplorer]

Well, Russ that was packed full of iconic images. It sure is an impressive route up. I've only been up once and that was via the old miners track. It was a great hike but very different to this. Good going. Mark

[@alanc4264]

Impressive route and impressive video to match. Thanks for producing this Russ.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks Alan. Means a lot and really glad you enjoyed it. Russ

[@TimLowPT]

Amazing video!

[@MultiTopman]

Love it Just Amazing What a inspiration you are Thank You Made My Day

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks Tony! Glad you enjoyed it. More where that came from soon!

[@nobodyhikes]

With the mixture of the drone shots, camera footage and your enthusiasm, you did this beautiful area justice! This hike looks so damn fun. Stunning footage. Loved the closing scene.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Ahh thanks so much, it’s such an amazing part of the world and it feels like home now I’m sprinting so much time there. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the kind words. Russ

[@jasonobee9067]

Incredible video pal. The drone footage you get is insane ✌🏽

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks very much! It’s incredibly humbling reading comments like that. Glad you enjoyed the video. Many more to come soon. All the best. 👍

[@Unseen97GotNukezZ]

Such an amazing route. Did this last year as my first ridge walk and I'm dying to go back! Awesome footage, the drone does the scenery a lot more justice than photographs alone!

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks very much James! Yeah it’s so awesome, so glad I waited for the cloud to lift for that day. Cheers mate, means a lot. Thanks for watching.

[@rolandmd73]

Amazing shots and a beautiful and difficult walk!

[@thetrailhunter4469]

I’m so glad you enjoyed that. Thank you for the kind words. More to come. 👍

[@CS-zt9kr]

Great vid and as you rightly point out - it's not the kind of hike/scramble where you can dig out the camera mid-flow for the best bits. I completed it earlier in the week and without doubt the best and most exhilarating horseshoe hike in England/Wales. I should have watched this video before I got going really as I completely underestimated the energy reserves required.(It was a very hot day) All the hype is about Crib Goch but the Crib y Ddysgl ridge to Garnedd aint too shabby either. . Also took a wrong line at Y Llywedd and ended up climbing scree on the West Peak which was hard graft. Well done chap!

[@HikingWithMartin]

that was awesome, wales is so stunning and rugged, the opening drone shot was brilliant too

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Cheers Martin! Glad you enjoyed it. Hope I illustrated the ruggedness well enough. 👍

[@benhikescamps]

VERY well done Russ. Thoroughly enjoyed that. Simply stunning footage and editing top notch as always. 👍👍👍👍👍👍 ATB - Ben

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks so much mate. Really does mean a lot. Glad you enjoyed watching.

[@amberjackrtw7322]

Great footage mate! Really enjoyed your video!👊

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Cheers Amber! Means a lot!

[@stfc5138]

Did this with my dad when I was about 9 years old, want to do it now with my daughter 35 years later great stuff bud

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks mate. And wow what a route to do as a kid. Nice one!

[@markjones127]

Nice videos but be sure to check where the no fly zones are for drones in the park, you're filming in one in this video (southern slopes of Y Lliwedd) and I just clicked your Tryfan video and you are there too, the national trust have a land map of the park showing the areas where drones aren't allowed.

[@ratusbagus]

A friend of mine from the early 80's days was a 15 pints a day overweight, mainframe dump cracking genius master chess playing middle-aged ex rugby playing bachelor. He never did anything by halves and this was his entry level into scrambling over mountains. He told me, with a dimpled pint jug in his fist, about climbing the Ridge of Crib Goch and holding on for dear life at the sharp stages and looking over to see the sheer drop. I saw this, thought of him and watched it. The modern vernacular is "respect" Mick. The vernacular of the day is not for publication. I never envisaged that this is what he did. The people who invited him for a long weekend were waiting for him to give up, but he got the entire way around and up snowdon too. Last I knew, Mick had packed up alcohol soon after this and is still around but with a dicky ticker. Well done Mick!

[@kristen8813]

Amazing 👏👏👏

[@tispri]

Amazing footage! Me and my dad are walking the Snowdonia Way next week from Machynlleth to Conwy which also passes through Snowdon. It’s been great watching your videos of Snowdon to kind of get to know the area and prepare a bit haha ;)

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Ahh amazing! I wish you all the best for your trip. I’m so glad the videos are helpful for you too and thanks so much for watching!

[@verbina.photos]

Beautifully made and totally awesome video! Going to tackle Crib Goch for the first time this weekend! Fingers crossed the weather won't be too funky 😀

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Ahh haha thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the video. Amazing, you’re going to have a blast. Just keep an eye on the cloud and check www.mwis.org.uk/ for the best weather reports. Good luck!!

[@verbina.photos]

Done Crib Goch on Monday! Absolutely incredible and not as hardcore as lots of other videos suggest! Thank you for keeping it real! 💚👊 Next thing is the Snowdon Horseshoe for sure!

[@jamesaturvey]

I've done the same hike earlier this year on a bank holiday weekend. We set off at the absolute crack of dawn from a nearby camp site but still the Pen Y Pass car park was full at 5am. I'd wanted to do Crib Goch for a while and it was great, like you said it's not as scary as most other videos make it look. It was quite a hot day when we went up and we didn't take enough water (classic mistake) so by the time we hit the summit our plans to go for the Snowdon Horseshoe turned into taking the Miner's Track down in a hurry. We saw so many people just starting their hike at the hottest part of the day with seemingly no water on them, I can't imagine how many people were suffering from the heat. Anyway, love your channel, keep it up!

[@thetrailhunter4469]

jamesaturvey thanks so much. It’s an incredibly cool part of the country and man, I just can’t get enough! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@southwest3369]

This video is so fucking awesome great work

[@matthewwang1570]

I been there day before - - - Great route.

[@nks80]

You must have walked so many miles that day! I’m doing snowdon for the first time next Monday 19th July. Parking at pen y pass & decided to do the miners path for my first time. Eventually I wanna do all 8 routes up to the summit

[@adrianhill2798]

love it

[@rickeeling]

Cracking video. need to do this again, but this time I want to actually see where I'm going.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Ahh thanks Ric! Haha yeah it can be crazy in low cloud. All the best to you.

[@TheDougies]

Have to say, as someone who has worked with video for over 15 years, I’ve started to try and film some hiking and I don’t think people realise how hard they are to film, not only carrying the equipment and dealing with the weather, but the fact you prob add another third on the length from setting up the camera for a shot and then going back to get the camera 😂 your video is really well shot, great effort 👍🏻

[@mjojrjr6231]

The video pretty much shows the natural look closer to our naked eye, correct me if I'm wrong.

[@mikejackson19828]

I did the Horseshoe last Saturday. Fantastic trek!

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Awesome stuff Mike! Which way round did you go?

[@mikejackson19828]

@@thetrailhunter4469 I went the same way round as you did. It was great fun and great weather for it. I plan to do the reverse route next year. 🙂

[@cathyquelcutti5838]

Brilliant and beautiful video. Thank you. Do you think my 68 year old Mum could manage this route? Last year she did Scafell Pike in awful weather using the Wasdale route via Mickeldore 🤔

[@anasolabi8804]

Thank you for a great video. Wonder what’s the best mountain trainer if you don’t wear boot ? And were you parked to to the horseshoe please.

[@DavidPowell-xn9ys]

Cracking Russ, those trainers with the high midsoles are comfy but won't cut it in the mountains. Great for trail running but not scrambling up the sharp stuff. For day yomps and overnighters in Wales your better off with goretex shoes with thin plated midsoles and short waterproof gaiters. At least your feet keep warm, and are more stable. Walking with wet feet will be very painful as you get older.All the best Dai

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks David. But I find my feet sweat more in goretex shoes and I get blisters in them. Also when goretex ones get wet, they take yonks to dry compared to my shoes so yeah. These trail runners are perfect for me and my needs when scrambling, but I appreciate yours may work best for you.

[@BizzleBug2016]

This was an amazing watch, I just got back from Snowdon and really enjoyed out there and plan to go back for some of the more difficult routes. PS - What's the name of the last soundtrack used at Y LLIWEED?

[@andrewmoriarty4051]

Mate great video, thank you! I’m looking to maybe do Crib Goch last week in October, if the weather is nice. How much of a step up is it from Striding and Sharp Edge?

[@trytheoutdoors]

Filming and occasionally operating a drone ...whilst climbing. Wow! How? Great job!

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Haha yeah, mental. Thanks so much!

[@LazarkGaming]

My fear would be a gust of wind.

[@rbrratboyroaming4654]

How do you edit so you have the trail in the bottom left of your video? Love the idea!

[@Henrz999]

Great video man, enjoying your page as a fellow wanderer 🥾 I’m looking at doing Grib Goch this year, covid permitting 🤞 Quick question, I’ve always been a boot wearer, but I’m looking at crossing over to a shoe.. Do you find your trail runners/shoes hold up in snow & the wet? Any ankle issues on this trip & are there any hikes you’d wear a boot? Cheers 👏🏻

[@mattmurph432]

Do you post your tail routes anywhere for GPS? This looks like a fun route, I'd like to try it :)

[@thetrailhunter4469]

You can find this route online pretty easily. Just type in Snowdon Horseshoe GPS and it’ll come up. 👍 Thanks for watching!

[@WyeExplorer]

Onward we march never looking back........

[@outdooradventure4590]

Amazing video... how the hell can you film while doing Crib Goch... done 3 times now and it never gets less scary... I've seen people on their bum crying... great video

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Haha oh lordeh. I used my phone for the sketchiest parts. But I see what you mean. Didn’t see anyone on their bum crying though. Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it!

[@outdooradventure4590]

@@thetrailhunter4469 really like how you put the route at the start of your videos...

[@adamhills4855]

Really want to complete this route, how long did it take from start to finish please. Also wanting to wild camp for ths night inbetween if poss.great vid thankyou.

[@kierantucker5218]

Great video what’s the first song called ? 😇

[@leeharbord6227]

What gear do you use for filming. Love the vid

[@thetrailhunter4469]

I use a DJI Mavic Air and a Canon M50 plus my iPhone 8+ for the sketchy parts. Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed the video.

[@energythieves5979]

Another cool video, I think I passed you on Y Lliwedd on the 13th? wasn't sure if it were you or not? Was up on the Crib on 14th for the first time, awesome. Subbed ATVB. Micky

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Ahh yeah you probably did! Small world! I went around for a practice run minus Crib Goch because of the fog and then did the whole thing on the Sunday. Glad you enoyed the video. More to come just like this. 👍👍👍

[@OutandaboutwithSpencer]

Nice vid, I did Crib Goch last month and having a fear of heights made it a bit hairy! What was Y Llewydd like compared to Crib exposure wise? It didn’t look much better on the vid! 👍

[@thetrailhunter4469]

It is pretty sketchy! But taking it slow and taking it all in it becomes very enjoyable. Haha yeah Y Lliwedd is much safer than Crib Goch. It’s got a well maintained path with less scrambling.

[@nicksimmons6401]

Awesome filming Russ, where are you off to next?

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Cheers Nick! Glad you enjoyed it. Hmm, that’s a good question. I’m thinking either the Glyders or trying the Welsh 3000s in sections. Where would you recommend? Thanks for watching. 👍

[@nicksimmons6401]

@@thetrailhunter4469 During my time as a scout/venture scout, when I was much younger, I did a lot of hiking. My best memory was of the hike up to the top of Helvellyn, Cumbria. It was great fun, rewarding and it doee offer superb views.

[@jennyearl5194]

I did this in 1973 with full pack a big mistake. But it looks as if it’s been flattened mechanically to provide rest areas and I assume some people erosion. Anybody know if this is correct? Happy days from an disabled 65 year old

[@maggiegray1698]

Foolhardy in those shoes-no support!

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Understandably most people would presume so, but I’ve completed the Welsh 3,000s, Crib Goch twice, National 3 Peaks and hundreds of miles of hiking in those shoes in comfort and no blisters. The Welsh 3,000s record was completed in ~5 hours in trail runners. Always wear the footwear right for you and the conditions. 👍

[@stephenjon3502]

I’d have thought doing it by drone would be a piece of piss😂

[@homonovo]

Great views but don’t think much of your choice of footwear for a day in the mountains.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

Thanks. Ahh how come? You like boots?

[@homonovo]

The Trail Hunter Guess I’m getting old and worrying about safety. Loved your vid, brought back some great memories. And yes boots for mountains trainers for hills.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

The right footwear for mountains all depends on the conditions, terrain and the wearer’s experience level. Heavy boots with hard soles can actually cause more issues, especially if you want to scramble up rocky slopes quickly in the summer. On the other hand, you can fit crampons to boots and they’ll also keep your ankles in one piece if you’re less experienced. Boots aren’t always necessary in the mountains, trail runners aren’t always enough. Safety is important, wear the right footwear for the job. I traversed the San Jacinto in deep snow using trail runners, spikes and waterproof socks, trekked to Everest base camp in shoes and completed the Welsh 3,000s in them too, I would wear a boot for steep, icy slopes though. Here’s a link to Andrew Skurka’s video on his kit he uses for 10s of thousands of miles hiking. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHi0hZaHnbFjbqM

[@homonovo]

The Trail Hunter Thankyou for the advice. As I said I’m probably a bit stuck in my ways. I’ve worn the same Scarpa mantas for the last 20 odd years! Kilimanjaro, aonach eagach, three peaks to name a few. I think trail shoes would have been better on the longer routes and saved my legs some work! Again thanks for taking the time to reply.

[@peteryoungpeteryoung965]

Great vid but I get fed up with English people calling it Crib Gok.

[@thetrailhunter4469]

“Creeb Goch” I’ve since learned.