The Bochclwyd Horseshoe

The Bochclwyd Horseshoe is a wonderful grade 1 scrambling day out in Snowdonia. It takes in The North Ridge of Tryfan, Bristly Ridge and The Gribin Ridge on the Glyderau. The route starts on the A5 at the foot of Tryfan and kicks off with an ascent of the North Ridge. Instantly recognisable from the road Tryfan is an iconic mountain and its North Ridge offers almost 3000 ft of scrambling from the car to the summit. It is one of our favourite grade 1 routes with brilliant scrambling getting steadily more interesting as you gain height.

On the Canon Stone, North Ridge of Tryfan

Having reached the summit of Tryfan and perhaps jumped from Adam to Eve the route then heads down the South side of the mountain to Bwlch Tryfan. Bristly Ridge is seen ahead of you, a striking line that rises to the summit plateau of Glyder Fach. The scrambling is a touch harder than that found on Tryfan but the holds are all there and the rock generally good quality. The crux is probably Sinister Gully at the start of the route, followed by weaving through the Pinnacles nearer the top.

To complete the horseshoe we descend The Gribin Ridge from the Glyderau summit plateau. This grade 1 scramble is easier than the ones we have tackled so far today and has a choice of lines. I generally think the crest is best but concentration is still required in descent as the drops on the right hand side are serious.

For more details on the routes and others like it check out of scrambling mini feature: https://spark.adobe.com/page/WQahJ2ErQpQQh/