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The Nantlle Ridge: Full Linear Skyline Traverse

Writer: Jacob @ Mountain Craft
Jacob @ Mountain Craft
Mar 24
2 min read

Updated: Oct 23

A winding woodland track in the Clocaenog Forest on part of the Hiraethog Trail.
The sharp skyline features of the Nantlle Ridge dominates the view. On the left is Mynydd Mawr and central is Yr Aran.

If you want the thrill of a rocky skyline without the bottleneck queues of Crib Goch, the Nantlle Ridge is one of the finest mountain journeys in Wales. Located on the western edge of Eryri, it offers a perfect balance of accessible hill walking mixed with hands-on scrambling that is satisfying without being overly technical.


We run this as a full end-to-end linear traverse for our guided days. While many walkers do a shorter out-and-back to avoid the transport logistics, completing the entire line from Rhyd Ddu to Nebo is a much more rewarding experience. You cross seven distinct summits, with Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon framing the view behind you and the Irish Sea stretching out ahead.



The Route Stats


  • Mountain: The Nantlle Ridge (Highest point: Craig Cwm Silyn at 734m)

  • Distance: 13km to 15km (Depending on the exact finish point in Nebo)

  • Ascent: 968m

  • Estimated Time: 6 to 7 hours

  • Terrain: Rocky mountain paths, grassy ridges, and simple scrambling with some exposure.

  • Logistics: This is a point-to-point linear route, so you will need to arrange transport back to the start.



The Route Overview


Starting from Rhyd Ddu, the route quickly gains height and commits you to the ridge. The highlight for many is the short but thrilling scramble up Mynydd Drws-y-Coed, which requires a steady head for heights. As you progress westward, the rocky terrain transitions into broader grassy ridges. Be warned, the final descent off Mynydd Graig Goch towards Llyn Cwm Dulyn and Nebo is notoriously tricky to navigate in thick fog. Trust your compass or the GPX line here.


High angle view of the team crossing a moorland ridge with expansive views of North Wales
Our verified Mountain Craft line for the full Nantlle Ridge traverse, available to download on HiiKER.

Explore more mountains like these


The Solitude Series brings together small-group guided days on quieter mountains across Eryri and beyond. Join Mountain Craft for rough ground, less familiar routes and a good day in the hills, with a maximum of six people.





Get the GPX & Map


Because of the tricky descent off the final summit, accurate navigation is essential. I have mapped the exact linear route we use over on HiiKER.

  • View and download the route here: Nantlle Ridge Full Traverse

  • Need offline maps? Upgrade your phone's navigation with my Mountain Craft partner link to get a massive discount on HiiKER Pro+. It is normally £41.99 for the year, but my link drops it to a special offer of just £14.95 (that is just £1.24 a month) for full offline OS mapping. Claim the Mountain Craft discount here.

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