A Popular Beginner’s Scramble
By The Bald Scrambler
Moel Siabod
Published By: Daniel Weadley. Updated: 6th October 2024. Filed at: Other Mountain Ranges. Disclosure: I may earn a commission from purchases made via links. Disclaimer: Scrambling is a dangerous sport, this route description does not provide step-by-step instructions – read disclaimer. Comments are open.
On my YouTube channel, I’m often asked which scrambling routes would be good for beginners and I’ve always dodged the question because what I find easy, someone else could find challenging.
However, there is one route that offers some low grade 1- scrambling and most of the difficulties can be avoided.
In the guidebook “Scrambles in Snowdonia” this route is described as:
“about as safe as a scramble ever can be“
and
“an ideal scramble for novices and energetic youngsters“
Watch the video of me tackling this route or continue reading for photos and a route description:
Please read my disclaimer as scrambling is a dangerous sport and there are still dangers on this route. Remember; an easy scramble isn’t necessarily a safe scramble!
My Favourite Scrambling Footwear:
Parking For Moel Siabod via Daear Ddu Ridge
Parking is currently free at Bryn Glo and the nearby layby, both are located next to the A5 road just south of Capel Curig.
See the location on What3Words map: https://what3words.com/slippery.placed.burden
Free parking
Approach
From the Bryn Glo car park, I headed north on the A5 for a hundred metres and took a road left to a bridge over the river (Afon Llugwy).
At the terraced houses, a road forks right (signposted) towards a farm and Siabod Holiday Cottages, this is the start of the route.
See this map if you’re lost already: https://what3words.com/trump.winds.purely
Stunning river next to the A5 road
My Favourite Scrambling Book
Three Lakes
The start of the route is easy to follow and not too challenging, it also takes you past three small lakes, the second of which is adjacent to an abandoned mine and associated ruins of old buildings:
Lake and cliffs
Ruins near the lake
Daear Ddu Ridge
From the third lake, the ground becomes very boggy – you’ll be glad you wore boots and not shoes here.
The path leads onto the start of the ridge – and where the scrambling begins.
Here’s the ridge, starting at the lake and ending at the summit of Moel Siabod:
Photo of Moel Siabod’s Daear Ddu Ridge
Snowdonia Hiking Guidebook:
The Scrambling
The scrambling on Daear Ddu is intermittent, over mixed terrain and much of the difficulties can be avoided.
I found the route easy to follow from start to finish, although there were some wet greasy rocks I had to take extra care over.
The entire ridge is around 700m long and the scrambler can hunt out more challenging rocks or avoid them and take the line of least resistance.
Typical scrambling on Daear Ddu ridge
Me scrambling over the mixed terrain
The Summit
The summit of Moel Siabod sits 872m above sea level and has a trig point and a windbreaker.
The views over to Snowdon, the Glyderau and the Carneddau are stunning:
Snowdon (centre)
Descent
The most popular route to descend is via the ridge shown below, this leads you back to the path near the first lake:
However, I took the longer route on the other side of the ridge via a wooded area near Capel Curig. This added maybe 45 mins or so to the route:
I then followed the raging river back to my car off the A5. The footpath was very slippery in a few places and I nearly fell over at one point.
Comparing Moel Siabod Via Daear Ddu Ridge to Snowdon
The ridge on Moel Siabod is significantly more rugged and scrambly than any of the main tourist routes up Snowdon, including the Watkin Path.
If you’ve done Snowdon by all the main routes and want a new challenge that’s a little more off the beaten path, consider Moel Siabod.
The ridge offers fun scrambling that is far less exposed than Crib Goch and not as technical as the North Ridge of Tryfan but there are still risks present.
I’ve taken non-scrambling friends on this route and they enjoyed the experience.
Be warned: The summit of Moel Siabod can be difficult to navigate in mist/low cloud and a navigational aid might be needed in such conditions (map, AllTrails etc).
These Are Perfect for General Hiking:
Route Profile and Information
Scrambling Grade: Grade 1- in Steve Ashton’s guide .
Suitability for Beginners: Yes.
Navigation: I found it easy.
Dangers: The usual risks associated with climbing over rocks and boulders which could be wet and slippery. Navigation from the summit in low cloud.
Time: 4 – 5 hours round trip.
Height: 872m.
Popularity: Much quieter than the Snowdon routes but can get busy in the summer months.
Fun Rating: 8/10.
My Likes: Great views, difficult scrambling sections can be avoided.
My Dislikes: A little too easy for me.
See a map of the exact route I took below, a downloadable gpx file is also available:
More:
This is one of my favourite “easy” routes and one I have taked friends on in the past.
This scramble is also included in Steve Ashton’s “Scrambles in Snowdonia”, which is a bible of sorts for scramblers.
If you’re new to scrambling or want to find new routes, try this compact book that is small enough to fit in your backpack and maybe even your pocket.
About Daniel Weadley
These photos and route descriptions were created by Daniel Weadley, aka The Bald Scrambler and this page forms part of the Other Scrambles.
From walking along beaches and kayaking down rivers to making his way up mountains and even jumping out of planes, Daniel has a love of the outdoors but scrambling is his real passion.
Daniel Weadley aka The Bald Scrambler
I Never Go Out Without a Lightweight Packable Jacket:
Have fun, keep safe. Hopefully I’ll see you on the mountains one day
By The Bald Scrambler
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