Sentries Ridge Grade 3 Scramble
The Bald Scrambler
Published By: Daniel Weadley. Published: 6th May 2024. Filed at: Other Snowdonia Scrambles. Disclosure: I earn commission from purchases made via links. Comments are open.
Page Contents:
Sentries Ridge is a unique scramble up shattered rock in Eifionydd on the quieter side of Snowdonia.
Exciting stuff? Absolutely, just double-check your holds!
Below you’ll find a map, video, photos and a route description for this grade 3 scramble:
My Video:
I published this video in 2023:
My Favourite Scrambling Footwear:
Route Profile
Approach: 1hr 15 mins.
Height Gain on Sentries Ridge: 200m.
Grade: Grade -3 in Steve Ashton’s guidebook and grade 3 on the UKC website.
Start: Rhyd Ddu.
Finish: On the approach to Mynydd Mawr.
Hazards: Loose holds, steep sections, limited reliable gear placements.
Parking: Pay and Display at Rhyd Ddu train station car park or limited free parking in the layby at //what3words.com/heartless.strictly.promote
Approach Map (click to expand)
Here’s my map from Rhyd Ddu train station car park to the foot of Sentries Ridge. It should be accurate to within a few metres:
These Are Perfect for General Hiking:
Approach to Sentries Ridge
From the Rhyd Ddu train station, I took the footpath opposite to the toe of the forest. From here n/east on the B4418 until the entrance to the forest.
The forest was an enjoyable walk, but I soon left the trees and followed the footpath next to the treeline, n/west towards the approach to Mynydd Mawr.
From here I left the main path and followed a faint line west across the hill towards the messy and unpleasant scree slopes beneath Sentries Ridge.
My map (above) and downloadable GPS file may help if you’re unsure of the way.
I enjoyed the forest walk
The approach path follows the treeline (right) up towards the slopes of Mynydd Mawr.
Faint path towards the steps and scree
Scree at the foot of Sentries Ridge (middle of the 3 ridges shown here, with a gendarme just visible at the top of the photo).
I Never Go Out Without a Lightweight Packable Jacket:
Start of the Scramble
The start of the route is a steep buttress which can be avoided on the right.
The next challenge is a gendarme which can be tackled directly or via the left (5m).
The lower reaches of this ridge are very fractured and while it’s more stable than it looks, there are still some loose holds and few reliable places to place climbing gear.
I urge you to double-check all your holds, most appear to be sound but you might find a few nasty surprises on this route.
The route continues roughly on the ridge crest with gendarmes to climb or skirt around.
The next landmark is a grassy col, just over 1/3rd of the way up the ridge.
The start of the scramble
A rocky section on Sentries Ridge
Me with the scramble behind me.
From the Grassy Col
From the obvious grassy col I took a line on the edge of ridge with a heather runnel just off to my right:
Here I’m taking the edge of the ridge with a heather runnel to my right
(Above) Note the heather runnel to the right and the steeper upper scramble at around grade 3.
(Above) Beyond the heather runnel there are some really decent sections of scrambling.
Yet more good scrambling, this time very close to the end of the route.
I Use This Water Filter Bottle
Topping Out and Continuation
The route ends on a grassy ridge which is a short easy walk away from the summit of Mynydd Mawr:
(Above) The end of the route.
I don’t recommend descending Sentries Ridge. Although possible, I feel it would be considerably harder and less enjoyable.
I had my lunch on the summit of Mynydd Mawr and then descended the obvious path back to the treeline by the forest.
My Favourite Scrambling Book
How Loose is the Rock on Sentries Ridge?
To be honest, I was expecting the route to be far looser than it was.
At first glance, the rock looks incredibly fractured but much of it was solid enough for hand and footholds.
However, I did grab hold of a few loose rocks on the way up so there are dangers present, it certainly isn’t a solid route but it’s not as loose as the neighbouring scramble at Bear Buttress.
There isn’t an abundance of good climbing gear placements but a few extra slings could come in handy.
(Above) While I found much of the rock fractured, most of it was climbable.
Typical scrambling on Sentries Ridge.
Note: There is quite a bit of heather bashing in places throughout this route. It wasn’t enough to put me off.
As for navigation, I found it easy once I had located the start of the ridge.
Would I do this scramble again and what do I think of it?
The photo below sums up how I feel about Sentries Ridge:
Nearby Scrambles:
- Bear Buttress (grade 3s).
- Craig Fawr Rib (Grade 3).
- Nantlle Ridge (Grade -1/hiking route).
About Daniel Weadley
This introduction to the Sentries Ridge scramble was created by Daniel Weadley, aka The Bald Scrambler.
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
Have fun, keep safe. Hopefully I’ll see you on the mountains one day
By The Bald Scrambler
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