Wales
Y Lliwedd East Top
893M
2930FT
About Y Lliwedd East Top
Towering over the deep waters of Llyn Llydaw, this sharp, airy summit forms the final high point of the Snowdon Horseshoe. While technically the secondary peak of the ridge, its steep rhyolite cliffs and dramatic eastern drop-off provide a thrilling sense of exposure for those descending towards the Miners' Track.
Key Statistics
Rank
19th Highest in Wales
Parent Range
Snowdonia
Prominence
?
20.3m
Nearest Town
Gwynedd
Geology
You are walking over layers of volcanic ash and debris from explosive eruptions. These rocks form the rugged foundation of the mountain peak beneath your boots.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SH624532
Latitude
53.0583°N
Longitude
4.0546°W
Did You Know?
- •The name likely derives from the Welsh word 'llif', suggesting a blade or a cutting edge, which aptly describes the mountain's sharp, serrated profile when viewed from the valley floor.
- •This peak is a core component of the Snowdon Horseshoe; walkers usually reach this point after traversing from the West Top, enjoying a grandstand view of the Cwm Dyli waterfalls below.
- •The North Face of Y Lliwedd is one of the tallest cliffs in Wales, reaching nearly 300 metres, and was famously used by the 1953 Everest expedition team for alpine-scale training.
- •From the summit, you gain a unique perspective on the classic Snowdon profile, seeing the sharp pyramid of Yr Wyddfa framed perfectly by the jagged ridges of Crib Goch and Crib y Ddysgl.
- •Though technically a separate Nuttall summit, the East Top is often treated by exhausted walkers as merely the final obstacle between them and a well-earned rest at Pen-y-Pass.