Y Lliwedd (East Peak)

The eastern ridge of Y Lliwedd rises sharp and dramatic above Snowdon's south face, offering one of North Wales's most rewarding hillwalking scrambles. This isn't a casual stroll - you're looking at a proper mountaineering experience that demands respect, good boots, and a head for heights.

The climb itself is steep and exposed in places, with loose rock that'll catch you out if you're not paying attention. The payoff is a 902-metre summit with views that stretch across the Snowdonia massif and down into the Nantgwynant valley. On clear days you can see all the way to the Llyn Peninsula. Most walkers approach from Pen y Pass car park near Llanberis, tackling Y Lliwedd as part of a longer circuit rather than a solo mission - it works brilliantly with a traverse of Snowdon's south ridge.

Allow a full day if you're combining peaks. The scrambling sections demand concentration and aren't suitable for young children or inexperienced hillwalkers. Winter transforms it entirely - crampons and an ice axe become essential kit.

If you're basing yourself at one of the campsites clustered round Llanberis and Beddgelert, Y Lliwedd slots perfectly into a multi-day walking itinerary. Llyn Gwynant Campsite sits closest, just 1.7 miles away and perfectly positioned for early starts. The mountain rewards early ascents when the weather's settled and the light's still soft across the ridges. Not for everyone, but if you've got the legs and the nerve, it's worth every steep metre.