The Ridges of Snowdonia

By Steve Ashton.

From here

I bought this to do some research for my Summer holiday this year.

As guide books go, it does a first rate job.

It contains all the information: General descriptions of the various areas of Snowdonia, very detailed step by step route descriptions with OS maps, not only for the main ridges but also for several variations.

Includes stunning photographs and a final section covering a complete transverse of Snowdonia.

Everything you need, where you need it. Marvellous.


What makes this book stand apart from the rest is Mr Ashton's wicked sense of humour. After each 'step by step' there's a rather entertaining, more readable description of the route.


Here's what I mean. Discussing the descent from Yr Wyddfa South from page 83:

"Unless you want to fritter away the rest of a perfectly good afternoon doing good deeds for people, do not descend directly to Bwlch y Saethau along with misdirected and ill-shod tourists heading for Beddgelert. Why? Because that slope is set exactly at the critical angle for human beings in unsuitable footwear. Normally, of course, most of these people will proceed downwards according to the law of acceleration down an inclined plane; but there's always a few who will discover that as long as they keep very still, they are able to hold position on the slope indefinately....                ....follow the path down to Bwlch instead - falling bodies permitted."

Some parts made me laugh out loud.


Even if you have no intention of walking in Snowdonia, it's worth a read. Go and buy it now!