Completing the ‘Tryfan horseshoe’ in Snowdonia, North Wales
Jumping over ‘Jack and Jill’
In May 2018, the same weekend Prince Harry married Meghan Markle, I decided to enter the Snowdon half marathon and tick the ‘Tryfan Horseshoe’ off my adventure bucketlist.
If you’ve not heard of it, the Tryfan Horseshoe is a classic mountain walking route in Snowdonia National Park, North Wales, named after Tryfan, a famous mountain in the area. The horseshoe is a circular route of around 8 Km, with around 1000 metres of ascent that takes in several other mountains as well, including Glyder Fach, Glyder Fawr, and Y Garn.
The route is known for scrambling over challenging terrain, with steep ascents and descents, rocky scrambles, and exposed ridges. It is a favourite among experienced hikers and mountaineers, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and a true test of physical and mental endurance.
One of the highlights of the Tryfan Horseshoe is the ascent of Tryfan itself, which involves a scramble up the north ridge known as "The Canon." This route requires some basic rock climbing skills and a head for heights, as there are some exposed sections that require careful footwork.
The horseshoe can be completed in around 5 hours, but it is a long and demanding hike that requires good fitness and stamina. It is recommended to start early in the morning and take plenty of food, water, and warm clothing, as the weather in Snowdonia can be unpredictable.
The Jack and Jill stones jump
At the summit of the Tryfan are two distinctive boulders called ‘Jack and Jill’.
These boulders are a popular feature of the mountain, and many hikers and climbers use them as a landmark to help them navigate their way to the summit, after which its customary (although definitely not advisable) to jump from one to the other. Due to the highly exposed nature of the rocks, it takes some mastery of vertigo to do this!
The Jack and Jill stones are also known for their unique shape, which resembles a man and a woman standing side by side. According to local folklore, the stones were once a couple who were turned to stone for dancing on the Sabbath. While this is just a legend, it adds to the charm of these unique boulders.
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My research told me that the Aonach Eagach ridge is considered one of the most difficult and exposed scrambles in Scotland, and requires a high level of fitness, experience, and proper equipment. It also offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys that you can find emblazoned across Instagram. That was enough for me to give it a go!