How experienced do I need to be?

You should have solid mountain hiking experience and ideally some short Grade 1 scrambling; guides will coach technique on the day.

What is the group size?

Maximum ratio is six clients to one Mountain Leader, allowing hands-on instruction and good safety oversight.

Are children allowed?

This is an adults-only trip as stated in the listing.

What footwear do you recommend?

Stiff, grippy mountain boots with a robust sole (Vibram or similar) are recommended; flexible trainers are not ideal on wet rock.

What happens in bad weather?

Leaders will assess conditions and may alter the route, postpone or cancel for safety; they handle navigation and weather checks before departure.

Llech Ddu Spur Scramble to Carnedd Dafydd: Guided Grade 1 Scramble in Snowdonia | Climbing

Q: What is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Nant Ffrancon, Bethesda, Bangor LL57 3LZ, United Kingdom as listed in the trip details.

Adventure Brief

Spend a full day on a Grade 1 scramble along the Llech Ddu Spur, finishing on Carnedd Dafydd (1,044 m). Guided by qualified Mountain Leaders from Snowdonia, this exposed ridge offers dramatic views and practical coaching for progressing into mountain scrambles.

7 hours

challenging

From £90.10

On the sharp spine of the Llech Ddu Spur, high above Cwm Llafar, the mountain air in Snowdonia tightens and the path thins. The Guided scramble on the Llech Ddu Spur is a seven-hour, adults-only outing that threads a Grade 1 scramble along exposed rock steps before finishing on the 1,044‑metre summit of Carnedd Dafydd. It starts in the Ogwen Valley—meeting point: Nant Ffrancon, Bethesda, Bangor LL57 3LZ, United Kingdom—and follows a winding approach through heather, bog and rocky slabs to the foot of the ridge.

The ridge itself is honest and immediate: good natural steps, narrow ledges and occasional short handholds that reward steady footwork more than brute strength. You’ll move above the valley floor with sweeping views down into Dyffryn Ogwen and across the broader Carneddau range. The rock is classic Snowdonia grey—hard, weathered volcanic and sedimentary beds that provide reliable friction when you choose the right lines.

This trip is run by fully qualified Mountain Leaders and Mountaineering Instructors who live and work in Snowdonia. Expect a maximum guide ratio of six clients to one Mountain Leader and hands-on coaching for route-finding, scrambling technique and exposure management. The itinerary contains a 1.5-hour hike to the scramble start, the Grade 1 moves up Llech Ddu, then a summit visit to Carnedd Dafydd (1,044 m) before a long, gentle return to the start. If you’ve done steeper mountain hikes and a few short, non-graded scrambles, this day will feel demanding but very do-able.

Practical notes: wear stiff, grippy mountain boots—light hiking trainers can be too flexible on wet rock. Pack full hill kit, waterproof layers, a packed lunch and at least 2 liters of water. Navigation and poor-weather experience are essential; the leaders shoulder route planning and safety so you can focus on movement and the landscape.

Why book it? The Llech Ddu Spur delivers concentrated exposure and drama without long technical pitches; it’s a pure mountain day that reveals the raw geometry of Snowdonia’s ridges. For photographers, the line-up of ledges and the summit panorama are outstanding; for climbers, it’s a real-world lesson in movement and comfort on airy ground. It’s a chance to travel a true Carneddau ridge with expert local guidance—an efficient, memorable way to stand on Carnedd Dafydd and feel the sweep of north Wales underfoot.

About Snowdonia Adventures

Snowdonia Adventures is a Capel Curig–based outdoor guiding company offering guided hikes, scrambles, mountaineering courses, climbing taster days and coasteering across Snowdonia and North Wales. The company specialises in small-group, guided outdoor experiences led by qualified, experienced mountain leaders and instructors who support safe, accessible adventures for fit beginners through to experienced hikers.

Trips on the programme include guided ascents of Tryfan and Cnicht, ridge scrambles such as Y Gribin and the Nantlle Ridge, summit routes in the Carneddau, quieter tracks like Rhyd Ddu, waterfall walks to Aber Falls, winter mountaineering courses, rock-climbing taster days, and coastal coasteering sessions on Anglesey. Each trip description specifies terrain, recommended fitness level, and essential equipment; guides manage navigation, route-finding and safety so participants can focus on the landscape.

Operating from Capel Curig, Snowdonia Adventures uses locally focused logistics to access central and northern Snowdonian ranges and nearby coasts. Groups are kept intentionally small to maximise guide contact and minimise environmental impact. Training and safety are emphasised on technical days such as winter mountaineering and scrambles; practical skills taught include crampon use, ice-axe techniques, ropework and route planning.

Snowdonia Adventures is featured on The Adventure Collective, and works within recognised mountain safety practices and local access guidelines. Clear booking information, pre-trip briefings and experienced, qualified guides make the experiences suitable for those wanting guided mountain days, skills courses or coastal adventures in Snowdonia. Booking details include group size limits, meeting points in Capel Curig, straightforward booking terms and clear safety, cancellation and refund policies.

Llech Ddu Spur Scramble to Carnedd Dafydd: Guided Grade 1 Scramble in Snowdonia

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