THOUSANDS of people come to walk in North Wales each year. Some content themselves with a short jaunt to view the beautiful Fairy Glen near Betws y Coed, or a quick trip up to Llyn Idwal from Ogwen Cottage. Others prefer something meatier, more challenging. For these people, a walk just isn't a walk unless it takes in a peak or three. Here are five of our favourite hillwalks. All are 'horseshoes', wonderfully satisfying outings that start and finish in the same place, but never tread the same ground twice. Snowdonia has lots of these walks, but be warned - all are strenous, and will take a good few hours and a lot of effort to complete.
 Snowdon Horseshoe:
Probably the most famous outing in Wales - a classic expedition which turns into a major undertaking in full winter conditions. Follow the Pyg track from Pen y Pass to a fork where it branches off to the right for Crib Goch. Excellent scrambling leads to the small summit of Crib Goch and fantastic, famous views of Yr Wyddfa itself. Next comes the hair-raising walk along the narrow ridge - this has been mythologised to such an extent that most people feel they have already done it before visiting. Brilliant, exposed scrambling over the pinnacles leads to the easier ridge which rises to the summit of Crib y Ddisgyl. From here, the walker joins the hordes coming from Llanberis to the top of Yr Wyddfa. Then leaves them again for the descent to Bwlch y Saethau - the mythical 'pass of the arrows' where King Arthur is said to have met his death from a Saxon bow. An easy scramble leads to the top of the final peak, Lliwedd. Tired legs should take you back to the shores of Llyn Llydaw (Brittany lake), then the popular Miners track and Pen y Pass. | 
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