The walkers got lost on Mynydd Sygyn. Photo: Barry Hunter CC-BY-SA-2.0

A group of 20 walkers had to be guided to safety by rescuers after getting lost on a Snowdonia hillside.

The group, from London, had no maps or compasses and were following a route they downloaded from the internet.

Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team was alerted about 3.45pm today after one of the walkers called for help.

The walkers told rescuers they were in the Beddgelert area and could see the village about 1km away, but could not find their way down a steep section of terrain.

Gethin Edwards of the team said: “Following discussions with the informant and with our local knowledge, we quickly established the group were on Mynydd Sygyn above Beddgelert and standing above Craig Y Llan.

“From their descriptions of what they could see, we were able to signpost them to the nearest footpath and down to their vehicles at Beddgelert.”

Nine volunteers who were on their way to the incident from the team’s Porthmadog headquarters were stood down when it became apparent the group had managed to find its way down to safety.

Mr Edwards said: “Knowing where you are on the map and where to go next are key skills.

“There are a few simple map and compass techniques that form the basis for all good navigation and knowledge of their use and their possession is essential to being safe in the hills.”