The Nantlle Ridge is one of Snowdonia’s most distinctive mountain chains — a sweeping line of peaks that gives you both challenge and reward in equal measure. Whether you’re tackling the full ridge loop or choosing the gentler woodland route, every turn offers something new: dramatic views, peaceful forest paths, and a taste of Eryri’s industrial past at the Prince of Wales Quarry.
On a clear day, you’ll see Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) rising beyond the ridge and the coast glittering in the distance. Add in the golden light of a sunrise or the soft tones of sunset, and it’s easy to see why this remains one of my favourite walks in North Wales.
This route begins from the B4418 near Llyn y Gader, climbing steeply up Y Garn to join the ridge. A large boulder with a white painted arrow marks where the two routes divide — turn left for the woodland path or continue straight for the ridge scramble. The main circuit descends via the Prince of Wales Quarry and returns through Beddgelert Forest, offering a perfect mix of mountain drama and quiet woodland.
| Detail | Information |
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Route length |
6.4 miles (10.3 km) |
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Elevation gain |
670m / 2,200ft |
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Highest point |
709m / 2,260ft (Trum y Ddysgl) |
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Difficulty |
Challenging – includes steep climbs and light scrambling on the ridge section. Easier valley option available via Beddgelert Forest. |
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Start Point |
B4418 just northwest of Llyn y Gader or Rhyd Ddu carpark. |
You can start the walk directly from the B4418 layby near Llyn y Gader, just west of Rhyd Ddu. There’s space for several cars here and it gives you immediate access to the main path up Y Garn — no long approach needed.
There’s also a paid car park at Rhyd Ddu station, about 0.6km away, and a short linking path leads straight to the same track near the layby. This is one of the main Snowdon ascent car parks from this side of Eryri, so it often fills quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. Most locals simply park at the layby — it’s free, close to the start, and avoids the crowds entirely.
Hardly anyone heads up the (in my opinion, more beautiful) Nantlle Ridge, even though both routes begin in the same place — which makes this walk feel all the more special.
Once you’re on the path, the way ahead is clear — a steady climb leading to the large boulder with the white painted arrow, where the ridge and forest routes divide.
Save yourself a parking fee by parking at the layby, I haven't had an occaision where I haven't been able to park here.
From the layby, the path climbs steadily up the hillside to your right with Llyn y Gader glinting below. The track is clear and quickly gains height, heading the through rocky grassland. After a short while you’ll reach a huge boulder marked with a white painted arrow — it’s impossible to miss in the daylight but the paint has faded so keep a keen eye out if ascending at dawn. This is where the two routes divide:
Turn left for the easier woodland route, which follows the lower valley and loops back through Beddgelert Forest.
Continue straight ahead/bear right for the ridge route, crossing the stile just beyond the rock. From here the real climb begins.
It’s a steep pull up the flank of Y Garn, so pace yourself and remember to keep looking back — Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) rises majestically behind you, and the view only improves the higher you climb. Besides, you’ll be grateful for the excuse to stop for photos (and a breather).
You’ll know you’re reaching the top when the ground levels and the path leads to a long stone wall running across your path ahead. The ridge towers to your left now — time for a well-earned rest before tackling the next section.
After your break, the footpath crosses the old stone wall and turns left. Before you start the climb, take a moment to turn right instead – the wall and the path together form a perfect leading line that draws the eye all the way along the ridge towards the standing monolith on the skyline. It’s a superb composition for wide-angle shots, especially when the light catches the ridge from behind.
When you’re ready, follow the main path left and up to begin the ridge section. The ascent of Mynydd Drws-y-coed is mostly walking over rock, with the trail easy to follow. You’ll come to two short sections where you’ll need to use your hands to steady yourself over larger boulders, and one brief dip where the path drops slightly before climbing back up again. Take your time here – the rock is solid and the exposure is far less intimidating than it looks from below.
As you reach the crest, the distinctive monolith comes into view – a tall, upright slab of stone that stands sentinel over the ridge. It’s a wonderful place to pause for photographs or just to enjoy the view stretching across the Nantlle Valley and over to the sea.
Beyond this point, the ground widens and softens, turning to grass as you continue towards Trum y Ddysgl (709 m). Here, you’ll find a perfect spot to rest and soak up a 360-degree panorama of Eryri – Snowdon to the east, Moel Hebog to the south, and the shimmering coastline to the west.
From Trum y Ddysgl, the ridge gradually widens and drops away into the valley below, with Moel Hebog dominating the horizon ahead. The path here is easy to follow — broad, grassy and wonderfully scenic — but do watch your footing, as the grass can be slippery in wet weather.
As you continue descending, you’ll eventually reach a T-junction at a stile beside a marshy section. You’ll know you’re there when you see trees to your left and the marsh to your right — this is the saddle where the route divides once again. From here, you have two clear options:
To visit the Prince of Wales Quarry, turn right and follow the faint track across the boggy ground.
To head into Beddgelert Forest and begin the return, turn left through the stile into the trees.
The Prince of Wales Quarry is a fascinating, if ill-fated, site — a grand industrial ambition that never turned a profit. What remains today are deep sinkholes, collapsed workings, and the ruins of the old slate-cutting buildings and workers’ barracks, now often home to sheltering sheep. It’s an atmospheric place to photograph, particularly in soft or overcast light, but take care: the ground is uneven and some edges drop away sharply.
When you’re ready to continue, return to the saddle and take the left-hand path into Beddgelert Forest. The track weaves gently downhill through pines and heather, providing welcome shade on warmer days.
Stay on the main track here — it’s tempting to follow smaller routes that veer left or right, but they’ll lead you deeper into the forest. Keep roughly straight on, and the track will eventually meet a wider woodland road before returning to a footpath again, weaving across the hillside to descend past a small waterfall.
From here, continue following the same line downhill and you’ll re-emerge near the large painted rock, marking the end of your loop and the short stroll back to the layby.
For sunrise, allow at least two hours to make the climb — three is better if you like to stop for photos. Set off early, wear a headtorch, and aim to be on Y Garn as the first light breaks over Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). It’s one of the best dawn views in Eryri.
For sunset, plan to be back over the ridge well before the sun dips. You want to be on Y Garn for golden hour and sunset itself, when the warm light spills across the valley. The descent from here is steady and safe as the light fades — don’t attempt the ridge after dark.
The scramble on Mynydd Drws-y-coed looks tougher than it is. When viewed from Y Garn, keep to the left-hand side — it’s wider, more stable, and offers plenty of solid footing.
If the ridge is in cloud when you reach Y Garn and you can’t see the standing monolith, don’t go further. Wait for clear visibility — this is a route to enjoy, not rush.
On the descent, stay on the main track through Beddgelert Forest. It twists and turns but leads you back to the valley — side paths can take you well off course.
The Prince of Wales Quarry is fascinating but fragile — stick to the main path and avoid the edges of the sinkholes.
For photographers, the stone wall leading from Y Garn towards the ridge makes a superb leading line to the monolith — best lit in early morning or late afternoon.
And my golden rule on this walk: make decisions based on what you can see, not what you hope the weather will do.
This route has everything a landscape photographer could want — drama, texture, and a real sense of place. The trick is to slow down, read the light, and use the landscape’s shapes to lead the viewer through your image.
The Ascent of Y Garn: As you climb, keep turning around. Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) dominates the skyline behind you, especially when the first light hits the peak. Try using the zigzag path or stone wall as a leading line.
The Ridge and Monolith: The real magic happens as you approach the ridge. The old stone wall and path make a perfect compositional lead towards the standing monolith. On clear days the light falls beautifully across the ridge from the east at sunrise or the west at sunset.
Ridge Panoramas: From the top of Mynydd Drws-y-coed, you can capture one of Eryri’s best ridge views. A wide-angle lens works wonders here, but try to include some foreground texture – slate, grass, or rock – to anchor your shot and give a sense of depth.
Trum y Ddysgl Summit: A fantastic vantage point for layered mountain shots, with Moel Hebog in the distance. The ridge line curves elegantly from here, ideal for panoramic stitches.
Prince of Wales Quarry: Look for ways to frame the old crumbling buildings in the landscape contrasting the sharp lines with the rugged scenery.
Beddgelert Forest and Waterfall: The return path through the forest gives a change of tone — look for shafts of light filtering through the trees or the small waterfall near the end for soft-light detail shots.
Great landscape photographs happen when you can tie the landscape to a story. I always teach that every image needs an anchor — something that connects you to that place on that day. It could be a rock, a wall, a shadow or even a beam of light. Ask yourself, what is anchoring me here right now? Then build your composition around that.
If the full ridge feels a bit much, or the weather looks doubtful, the valley and forest route is a fantastic alternative. It skips the exposed scramble but still rewards you with wide views, changing light, and a peaceful walk through Beddgelert Forest.
Start the same way from the B4418 lay-by, following the track uphill until you reach the large boulder with the white painted arrow. Instead of continuing straight on, turn left here and follow the lower trail that leads into the forest.
The path climbs gently at first before entering the trees, where the route becomes a little less obvious. Keep heading forward through the forest, ignoring small side tracks. You’ll soon reach a T-junction, with the continuation of the path visible across the way under the trees. Cross the small stream here and carry on uphill.
Shortly afterwards, the path rejoins a main forestry track — follow this ahead and right, and you’ll reach a large, open Y-junction. Take the right arm of the track then immediately left onto the footpath that climbs and winds quickly up the valley to the saddle.
From this point you’ll have superb views of Moel Hebog ahead left and the Prince of Wales Quarry straight ahead. It’s a great spot to stop for a breather, photograph the ridge above, or simply enjoy the stillness of the valley.
When you’re ready, retrace your steps back down through the forest — the path is easier to follow on the descent, and the shifting light through the trees often makes for lovely photographs later in the day.
Don’t be tempted to make your shutter too slow. If the exposure drags, you’ll lose all sense of movement and the water turns to fog. Aim for a shutter speed that blurs the water but keeps the feeling of flow, and let the stream exit your frame through a corner — it helps the viewer’s eye follow the water naturally as it leaves the scene.
The Nantlle Ridge rewards you in every season, but the light and conditions can transform the experience entirely.
If you want sunrise over Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), aim for the first two weeks of April or September. At those times, the rising sun lines up perfectly with the mountain path you climb on Y Garn, creating incredible light along the ridge — and sunrise isn’t too early either.
Sunset works well throughout the year, as the final light almost always catches the face of the ridge from the right, giving warm tones and long shadows across the valley.
Autumn brings rich colour to the grasses and heather, while spring offers clearer skies and gentler light. Winter, however, is best reserved for the experienced — the ridge can become icy and exposed, though the climb to Y Garn itself remains manageable and offers fantastic snowy shots without committing to the more dangerous sections.
If the forecast shows rain or heavy cloud, stay low and explore the valley floor or Beddgelert Forest instead. The woodland feels atmospheric in mist, and you’ll still enjoy wonderful views up to the ridge whenever the cloud breaks.
No matter the season, Eryri’s weather can turn quickly — so pack layers, check the forecast, and make flexibility part of the adventure.
The Nantlle Ridge is one of the most rewarding walks in Snowdonia, but it demands respect — especially in poor weather. Conditions can change in minutes, and cloud can quickly obscure the ridge.
Always check the forecast before setting out, and make your final decision about tackling the ridge when you reach Y Garn. If you can’t see the standing monolith from there, it’s best to turn back and enjoy the forest route instead.
Carry warm, waterproof clothing, food, and water even on fine days — the wind on the ridge can be sharp.
Take a paper OS map and compass in case your phone battery dies, and install the What3Words app — it gives rescuers your exact position if something goes wrong.
Phone signal is good on the ridge, but poor in the valleys, especially near the quarry and lower forest sections.
If you need help, dial 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue.
Always tell someone not on the walk when you’re starting and when you expect to return. If they don’t hear from you, they can alert help quickly.
And remember: a good day in the hills ends when you’re back home with a cuppa.
You don’t need specialist kit to enjoy this route, but being properly prepared makes all the difference — especially with Snowdonia’s unpredictable weather.
Sturdy footwear: Walking boots or good trail shoes are essential; the ridge and quarry can both be uneven underfoot.
Warm, waterproof clothing: The weather changes fast on the ridge, and it can be much colder at the top than in the valley.
Snacks and water: There’s nowhere to buy food on the route, so pack enough for the day.
Map and compass (or GPS): Handy for navigation if cloud or mist rolls in, especially in the forest sections.
Headtorch: Essential for early starts or late finishes — particularly if you’re planning a sunrise climb.
Camera or phone: Every stage offers something different to capture — from the ridge light to the quiet forest and quarry ruins.
(Optional) Tripod or filters: Great for slow-shutter photography in the forest streams, but not a must.
Whether you’re here to photograph, hike, or just breathe in the views, the Nantlle Ridge has a way of making you slow down and take it all in — a reminder that adventure doesn’t need to be rushed.
he Nantlle Ridge is one of those walks that stays with you — dramatic, peaceful and full of contrast. From the climb up Y Garn and the standing monolith on the ridge, to the quiet ruin of the Prince of Wales Quarry and the calm of Beddgelert Forest, it’s a route that tells the full story of Eryri’s landscape in a single day.
Whether you come here for the photography, the challenge, or simply the views, you’ll find something special on this ridge.
If you’d like to explore it with company or learn how to get the best from your camera, I regularly lead guided walks and photography workshops here and across North Wales. I’ll handle the planning and navigation — you just bring your curiosity (and maybe your camera).
➡️ See upcoming walks and workshops here
Or if you’d prefer a more personal experience, I’m always happy to act as your private guide for a tailored walk or workshop — just get in touch to arrange something that suits your pace and interests.
I'm Liam, you're local photography guide, I've been running walks and workshops now for over 5 years, helping hundreds of walkers experience the great outdoors and always wearing my distinctive gold/yellow jacket!
I started this journey wanting to help those struggling with their mental health following the 2019 pandemic to get out into our countryside, using their cameras as an excuse to explore and I'm now heading into my 5th year!
My workshops are for everyone, beginners to experts, we'll always find something amazing to photograph together!
So whether you're new to photography or an experienced shooter, book one of my walks today, follow the golden jacket, and lets take great photos!
