Watkin Path & South Ridge Loop, Yr Wyddfa

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Difficulty: Hard

Length: 13.23 km (8.22 miles)

Approx. duration: 5-6 hours

Parking: Paid (Google Maps)

Dogs: Yes – On lead near livestock & some scrambling sections may be difficult for dogs

From Perthi Holiday Cottages: 10-minute drive

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This magnificent circular route offers an alternative, highly varied ending to one of Yr Wyddfa’s (Snowdon) ultimate classic trails, turning an out-and-back walk into a truly spectacular loop.

You’re in the right place if you want to experience excellent paths, dramatic industrial history, and jaw-dropping ridge lines, all while avoiding the repetitive nature of backtracking your steps. Be prepared for a long, demanding day out in the mountains.

What makes this specific circuit so special is the sheer variety of the terrain. The adventure begins alongside the famous Watkin Pools, where clear, brilliant blue water tracks your progress past the historic Gladstone Rock. This monumental boulder features a plaque marking the exact spot where Prime Minister William Gladstone addressed a crowd of over 2,000 people in 1892 to officially open the path—the very first designated footpath in Britain.

The route is also steeped in the area’s rich industrial past. You will wander straight through the impressive ruins of the South Snowdon Slate Quarry, passing abandoned trackways and the haunting shell of Plas Cwm Llan—the old quarry manager’s house, which still features visible bullet holes from World War II commando training.

From the valley floor, the trail transitions from history to true high-mountain drama. You will tackle a steep, loose scree climb to the summit before breaking away from the crowds to descend the much quieter South Ridge (Allt Maenderyn). This section treats you to striking, uninterrupted views toward the sharp peak of Yr Aran and finishes with a beautifully flat walk out along an old mining rail trackbed.

Top Tip: While there are short scrambling and loose scree sections on this walk, none of them are highly exposed. Just take your time on the trickier footing. The massive benefit of completing this as a circular loop rather than an out-and-back walk is that you completely avoid having to slide back down the treacherous, loose Watkin Path scree on your descent.

“This turns a classic walk into a true mountain loop. It is incredibly beautiful with the waterfalls and the fascinating mining history. The scrambling sections are not exposed at all—just take your time. Best of all, making it a circuit means you avoid having to slip and slide back down that steep Watkin scree!”
— Delyth, Perthi Holiday Cottages

Our 17th-century cottages sit just above Beddgelert, with walking routes straight from the door.

Step-by-Step Walk Guide

Numbered steps with photos to help you follow the route.

Parking is available with free street parking if you arrive early, or at the pay and display National Park car park across the road. The walk begins just 50 metres from Caffi Gwynant. Follow the Watkin Path sign and head up the stone steps to begin the walk.
Follow the path up through the woods. Once out of the woods keep following the path upwards until you see the falls in the distance (pictured). Continue gradually uphill with the spectacular crystal-clear Watkin pools and waterfalls tracking on your right—perfect for a quick dip on a warm day. The trail then levels out, leading you through a wide valley floor past the historic, ruined mining buildings of the slate quarry.
The path begins to climb gradually once again. Aim directly ahead towards the high ridge line (pictured) that sits between the peaks of Yr Wyddfa and Y Lliwedd, keeping Yr Wyddfa in view to your left.
Upon reaching the ridge, turn left towards Yr Wyddfa to face the final, hardest challenge of the day. Take your time navigating a steep, loose scree path (pictured) with a few short scrambling sections. Near the very top, the loose rock turns into secure stone steps that bring you just underneath the main summit area.
Turn right and continue uphill until you see the summit visitor centre and cafe. Walk past the cafe entrance and follow the final set of steps up to the official summit cairn of Yr Wyddfa.
Leave the summit by walking back down past the cafe towards the Watkin Path. Instead of turning left to head down your ascent route, continue straight ahead to cross over a narrow, dramatic ridge (pictured). Keep your heading directly over this ridge—do not drop down to the right, as that is the Rhyd Ddu path.
Enjoy a long, gradual, and easy-to-follow descent down the South Ridge. There is one short, fun scrambling section to carefully navigate along the spine (pictured) before the path drops all the way down to the mountain pass between the South Ridge and Yr Aran.
Do not cross over the wall towards Yr Aran. Instead, keep following the path that descends back down into the valley floor joining the flat, historic line of the old mining rail trackbed.
Follow the old rail track until you see the clear path down to your left (pictured), which leads you back onto the Watkin Path. Turn off the tracks here and pass the Watkin pools one last time as you follow the trail back down to the car park.

17th-Century Cottages in Beddgelert

Rated 4.98 on Airbnb from over 300 guest reviews

Ty Hebog historical barn conversion exterior at Perthi in Beddgelert Cosy log burner interior at Ty Hebog cottage Luxury king size bedroom with original historic character at Ty Felin water mill

Stay in a converted water mill, a historic barn or a mountain lodge on Delyth’s family farm above the village — with wide Eryri views and walking routes from the door.