Walking Yr Wyddfa | Top 6 Ways to Climb Snowdon
August 22, 2024The highest peak in England and Wales, Snowdon – or Yr Wyddfa in Welsh – stands at a mighty 1,085 metres (3,560 feet). The mountain attracts hillwalkers and tourists alike, and it has the dubious distinction of being Britain’s busiest peak, thanks in large part to the fact that many visitors simply take the train to the summit. But it’s well worth walking up to get a true sense of Snowdon’s majesty, and you can pick from a number of routes to reach the top.
1. Llanberis Path
This is the classic ‘tourist path’, though it still shouldn’t be underestimated in poor weather. The nine mile there-and-back route, with 975m (3,199ft) of ascent, is the longest and usually the busiest of the routes up Snowdon, but also the steadiest in terms of gradient. The ascent offers panoramic views of the village of Llanberis, Cwm Brwynog and across the Menai Strait towards Anglesey. The path also follows the track of the Snowdon Mountain Railway, passing stations at Hebron, Halfway House and Clogwyn, so you may also spot the train making its way up the mountain.
Getting there: Start at the far end of Victoria Terrace in Llanberis and walk along the road, climbing to the top of the hill. Pass some barns after which you’ll take a footpath signed to Snowdon. Climb gradually upwards, passing under the railway to reach Allt Moses. Climb the steps and follow the rough path steeply upwards and under the railway at Clogwyn Station. Continue on the wide path up to Bwlch Glas standing stone, walking beside the railway track all the way up to the summit.
2. Pyg Track
At seven miles, this is the shortest and often the quickest route up Snowdon, but the track’s 723m (2,372 ft) of ascent makes it a stiff climb. Fortunately, the rugged terrain and mountain vistas make it easier to forget about the ascent, while on a clear day there are jaw-dropping views out over Llyn Llydaw and Glaslyn.
Getting there: Start at the Pen y Pass car park. Arrive early as this car park fills up fast (pre-booking required in peak season). If it’s already full, park in Nant Peris and catch the Snowdon Sherpa bus back up to Pen y Pass. From the car park, look for a sign for the Pyg Track. Ascend the big steps to Bwlch y Moch, contouring around the hillside and above Llyn Llydaw, sticking to the path. Eventually you’ll reach a series of wire gabions (cages filled with rocks used for erosion control), at which point you turn right to zig zag up to the finger post at Bwlch Glas. Take the path to your left and continue up to the summit.
3. Watkin Path
The historic Watkin Path is probably the most scenic route up Snowdon. With eight miles of walking and 1,015m (3,330 ft) of ascent, it’s a strenuous uphill hike, but the scenery is spectacular. Look out for the pretty Afon Cwn Llan waterfalls, which look spectacular with Snowdon towering above. You’ll also pass the Gladstone Rock, where Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone stood to give a speech at the official opening of the Watkin Path back in 1892.
Getting there: Park at Pont Bethania Bridge car park in Nant Gwynant and follow the main road to the left from the car park over the bridge and cross the road. Take the signed Llwybr Watkin Path through the woods before climbing up the rocky path into Cwm Llan, ascending to the old quarries. Follow the path to Bwlch Ciliau and continue on the path above Cwm Llyn where you climb a section of scree. From here the path is harder to follow, but if you keep left the path eventually joins the ridge. From here there’s just one further steep climb up a scree slope to a flat area marked by an upright stone. Now there’s just a short ascent towards the summit.
4. Rhyd Ddu Path
Another of the less trodden routes up Snowdon, this eight and a half mile route has 895m (2,936 ft) of ascent and offers panoramic mountain vistas towards Moel Hebog and the Nantlle Ridge. The highlight of the route is the stretch that takes you along narrow Bwlch Main – a technically undemanding ridge that nevertheless makes for an exhilarating walk, with commanding views in clear weather.
Getting there: Start at the Rhyd Ddu Car Park, heading for a gate to pick up the track. Take the first right and continue to a track junction at Pen ar Lon. Branch off to the left up a narrow stone path up to Rhos Boeth. From here the path becomes steeper, but as you climb you’re rewarded with views opening out in front of you. Follow the top of Llechog to zig zag your way up to reach Bwlch Main, weaving your way through rocks to reach the Rhyd Ddu/Watkin waymarker. Past this it’s only a short walk to the summit.
5. Snowdon Ranger
Thought to be the oldest of the classic routes up Snowdon, this path is named after nineteenth-century mountain guide John Morton, the original ‘Snowdon Ranger’. It’s one of the easier routes and is typically quieter than either the Llanberis Path or the Miners and Pyg Tracks, making it a good option for first-time-up Snowdon walkers.
Getting there: Start at the Llyn Cwellyn Car Park, off the A4085. Follow signs for the bridleway and head for the farmhouse. Turn right and zig zag through the mountainside. Ignore a path to the left and gradually ascend towards Llyn Ffynnon-y-gwas. Ascend to Clogwyn Du’r Arddu to be met with amazing views. Follow the scree path, which is marked with cairns until you reach a large standing stone which marks the crossing of the railway. Cross and reach another marker stone, signalling that you have joined the Llanberis Path, which you then follow to the summit.
6. Crib Goch
The grade one scramble up and along the knife-edge ridge of Crib Goch is the most difficult route up Snowdon, but by far the most exhilarating. However, the ridge is very exposed, so only experienced scramblers with a good head for heights should attempt it. As well as the legendary Crib Goch ridge itself, the route also takes in a series of small rock pinnacles before continuing to Bwlch Coch, Crib y Ddysgl and the 1,065m summit of Garnedd Ugain on the way to Snowdon’s summit.
Getting there: Start at the Pen y Pass car park, picking up the Pyg Track. Ascend the steps to Bwlch y Moch and take the path right, signed Crib Goch. Follow the steep path up until it becomes a full-on rock scramble upwards. Walk along the ridge, taking particular care on this very exposed section. Head up and over the Crib Goch Pinnacles to reach Bwlch Coch and across the Crib y Ddysgl ridge onto the summit of Carnedd Ugain. From here, join the Llanberis Path to head to the summit.