There are lots of mountain walks in Eryri that can take less than 3 hours – This is a brilliant circular walk that takes in the North East ridge of Moel Hebog and descends via Y Braich.

If you head into the mountains YOU must make sure that you have the fitness, experience, clothing and confidence to keep yourself safe, especially in Winter.

Always carry a phone.

If in doubt – turn around and head home.

Distance: 6 km Duration: 3 hours

Dog Friendly: 8/10 Height Gain: 750 meters

Car Park/ Start Point: HERE Grid Ref: SH 5873 4811

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Moel Hebog via North East Ridge

A circular walk taking in the summit of Moel Hebog, starting from Beddgelert. This walk takes the North East ridge to the summit then descends via the North slope towards Y Braich . Brilliant for West Coast summit views, continuous climbing that gets steep in places and lonely, early, starts. We’ve done this route LOADS in Summer and Winter, it’s great in shorts or in down jackets, this description has a bit more focus on a Winter walk.

Start.

The car park in Beddgelert is central, well signposted, and easy to find – it’s a pay and display car park that’s big enough to never fill up in the Winter. We really, really recommend an early start, Moel Hebog is a great mountain to climb early, cold and lonely.

There are public toilets in the centre of Beddgelert, they are a few hundred meters from the carpark, there are cafes, outdoor shops and pubs in the village.

If you’re walking up Moel Hebog in Winter and there’s snow and ice on the ground you might need crampons and a single ice axe – if you’re carrying them, make sure you know how to use them.

Ice Axes

We’ve only used ices axes when descending the North facing slope of Moel Hebog, it’s steep and slidey.

From the car park Head West through the wooden gate towards the Steam Railway station, the route runs parallel with the railway line before turning left onto a tarmac access road that points towards the summit of Moel Hebog.

The route is signposted and obvious as it turns right through a wooden gate opposite a stone built holiday home, you’ll follow the track through scrubby heather and rank grass.

Onto the Mountain

Once you come through the gate and walked 150 meters along the gravel track you’ll turn left onto a less distinct path that starts to drift towards the mountain through scrubby grass, constantly climbing towards the summit.

The route get’s steeper as you ascend the, occasionally craggy, lower section of the North East ridge. Pass through the tall drystone wall via a metal gate that opens onto steeper ground. IGNORE the public right of way marked on the map – it doesn’t go anywhere. Our route follows the ridge and the black dashed ‘visible footpath’ on the map.

Steeper Ground

The steeper ground you come onto might require you to use your (gloved) hands occasionally – we have never felt the need to use ice axes or crampons on this section of the route.

There are some patches of loose and chossy rock higher up, be aware of your footing and people walking below you.

As you get close to the summit the slope will level out and the last 300 meters climbs much more gently to the cairn and trig point.

The North Facing Slope

From the summit of Moel Hebog head due North down the wide, steep, slope – choose wide zig zags or aim straight down. After approx. 400 meters the slope becomes less steep, turn East and head towards a noticeable gap in the craggy ground that makes up the North Ridge of Moel Hebog.

Continue to descend, handrailing the North Ridge, there are short, steep, scrambley sections to negotiate. Once you reach Bwlch y Ci the path is defined and easy to follow, the route follows the gentle ridge of Y Braich before dropping into the valley through craggy ground and re-joining the path you used to ascend.

Back to Beddgelert

Retrace your steps, following the path then the road and track back to the carpark in Beggelert

Variations

You can extend this walk very easily – try taking in Moel yr Ogof to add a second summit and a few extra km. OR for an even bigger day include Moel Lefn and descend through Beddgelert Forest.

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That’s it – all done. Enjoy.

Closest decent coffee: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9kV8gq2hVW25AggJ8

Guided Mountain Walks: https://explorewildwales.co.uk/mountain-walking/

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