Wales's largest mountain, Snowdon, falls short of its big brother Ben Nevis in Scotland, however It has long been labelled 'Britain's favourite mountain', thanks mainly to its range of paths to the summit. Over 400K people walk, hike and climb their way to the summit each year. For some it will be their first mountain summit, and the elation of accomplishment that it brings will stay with them forever, whilst for others it is a regular homage to this wonderful mountain, like meeting an old friend. From novice ramblers to seasoned climbers, Snowdon has a path to its summit for everyone.
There are six main paths to the summit of Snowdon: Going clockwise they are:
For experienced mountaineers, there is Crib Goch. The name means 'red ridge' in Welsh. Make no mistake, Crib Goch ridge is gut wrenchingly scary especially if you are not used to exposure. This is not the place to find out you are afraid of heights!
What is Crib Goch like? You pop up on to the ridge after the strenuous scramble and get your first glimpse of the ridge and the sheer drops on either side. A feeling of cold sweat running down your back. You look to your knees and find jelly instead. What is happening to me? Why am I shaking? Unadulterated terror.
For seasoned climbers, with a head for heights, Crib Goch is a delight and one of the best grade-1 scrambles in the country. Fear factor: 11 (1 lowest --- 10 highest)
- Llanberis: Easy but long and usually very busy.
- PYG: On the eastern side of Snowdon. You need stamina from the start.
- Miners: Very easy start before joining the PYG track via steps. Some go up PYG and down the Miners
- Watkin: Probably the hardest route to the top, but well worth the effort. Take extra care in bad weather
- Rhyd-Ddu: It's quiet, not too hard, and the views are breathtaking. There is a ridge-walk before the summit.
- Snowdon Ranger: Probably the easiest route up snowdon. Much quieter than Llanberis path and a good route if you suffer from acrophobia.
For experienced mountaineers, there is Crib Goch. The name means 'red ridge' in Welsh. Make no mistake, Crib Goch ridge is gut wrenchingly scary especially if you are not used to exposure. This is not the place to find out you are afraid of heights!
What is Crib Goch like? You pop up on to the ridge after the strenuous scramble and get your first glimpse of the ridge and the sheer drops on either side. A feeling of cold sweat running down your back. You look to your knees and find jelly instead. What is happening to me? Why am I shaking? Unadulterated terror.
For seasoned climbers, with a head for heights, Crib Goch is a delight and one of the best grade-1 scrambles in the country. Fear factor: 11 (1 lowest --- 10 highest)
Llanberis Path:
Length: 9 miles / 14.6 km (Return)
Duration: Approx 5 - 6 hours (Return)
Ascent: 3199 feet / 975 metres
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Fear factor: 1 (1 lowest --- 10 highest)
Start: OS grid ref SH 582590 Postcode: LL55 4UW.
Car park: Llanberis, LL55 4TD - Google map: 4V8J+P9
Easy but long and usually very busy. Known as the 'Tourist path' and in the summer months referred to as the 'Motorway'. Although not the shortest, it is one of the easiest with the most gradual climb. In summer months you will see the Snowdon train taking tourists to the summit and back to Llanberis. It acts as a reminder that when you eventually get to the top you have to jostle with the tourists of the train for the best views!
Download:
Llanberis Path (PDF)
PYG Track:
Length: 7 miles / 11 Km (Return)
Duration: Approx 6 hours (Return)
Ascent: 2372 feet / 723 metres
Grade: Moderate
Fear factor: 5 (1 lowest --- 10 highest)
Start: Pen-y-Pass - A4086 - SH 647557 Postcode: LL55 4NU
Car park: Pen-y-Pass Car Park LL55 4NU - Google map: 3XJH+5M
PYG track is short but one of the most rugged and challenging paths up Snowdon. It starts at Pen-y-Pass car park and leads in the foothills of Crib Goch (a knife edged ridge walk with sheer drops on either side). Mercifully, the PYG track follows well below the ridge top. If you pause for breath and you look up, you might be able to see climbers on the knife-edge of Crib Goch far above you.
Download:
PYG Track (PDF)
Miners Path:
Length: 8 miles / 13 Km (Return)
Duration: Approx 5 - 6 hours (Return)
Ascent: 2372 feet / 723 metres
Grade: Easy
Fear factor: 2 (1 lowest --- 10 highest)
Start: Pen-y-Pass - A4086 - SH 647557 Postcode: LL55 4NU
Car park: Pen-y-Pass Car Park LL55 4NU - Google map: 3XJH+5M
Miners path is regarded as one of the easier walks up Snowdon. There are some semi-difficult parts once it joins the PYG track. This route starts from Pen-y-Pass car park, and is clearly marked. It is essentially an unsurfaced road to begin with and the gradient is low and comfortable, allowing you to fully enjoy the views. Eventually you will join the PYG track via steps and the climb gets much steeper to the summit.
Download:
Miners Path (PDF)
Watkin Path:
Length: 8 miles / 13 km (return)
Duration: Approx 6 hours (Return) - Could take longer in bad weather
Ascent: 3330 feet / 1015 metres
Grade: Hard
Fear factor: 8 (1 lowest --- 10 highest)
Start: Pont Bethania, on the A498 - SH 627507 Postcode: LL55 4NL
Car park: A498 - Postcode: LL55 4NR - Google map: 2XP2+8W
Watkin path is regarded as one of the most difficult up Snowdon. It starts at near sea level on an easy going and beautiful forest path, but soon becomes steep and energy sapping. The difficulty with this path for most visitors is stamina. By the time you reach the start of the technically challenging, rocky and loose scree part of the path, you are already very tired. As you look up in the direction of the Snowdon summit, you'll see there is still a mammoth angry looking mountain requiring a degree of scrambling before you get to the top. The scrambling part of the path is not well-defined and often covered in thick fog with only a few meters ahead visible. On quiet days when there aren't many people about that you could follow (safety in numbers!), it is very easy to go off the actual track, making the already hard scramble to the top even harder.
Download:
Watkin Path (PDF)
Rhyd-Ddu Path:
Length: 7.5 miles / 12Km (Return)
Duration: Approx 6 hours (Return)
Ascent: 2936 feet / 895 metres
Grade: Moderate
Fear factor: 6 (1 lowest --- 10 highest)
Start: Rhyd Ddu - A4085 - SH 571526 Postcode: LL54 6TN
Car park: Off the A4085 - Postcode: LL54 6TN - Google map: 3V28+FJ
Rhyd-Ddu path is the quietest of the six main routes to the summit and a favourite with many locals. Off season, you could walk for hours without seeing another person. Very different experience to say the Llanberis path. It offers a little bit of everything you could wish for in a mountain path: Not too short and not too long. Striking mountain scenery, looking towards Moel Hebog and the hills of Nantlle Ridge. Challenging enough not to be boring but not too scary either. A very steep zig-zag bit to test your stamina and a bit ridge walking to keep your heart pumping at full blast. What more could you ask for?
Download:
Rhyd-Ddu path (PDF)
Snowdon Ranger Path:
Length: 8 miles / 13Km (Return)
Duration: Approx 5 hours (Return)
Ascent: 3071 feet / 936 metres
Grade: Easy
Fear factor: 1 (1 lowest --- 10 highest)
Start: The A4085 - SH 564551 - Postcode: LL54 7YT
Car park: Off the A4085 - Postcode: LL54 7YT - Google map: 3VF4+86
This path up Snowdon is thought to be the easiest of the six main routes to the summit. It is recommended if you suffer from acrophobia (fear of heights) as there are relatively speaking, no narrow ridges or sheer drops to deal with. It starts from 'Llyn Cwellyn' and very quickly gains height by way of the zig-zags before reaching a less steep section for some respite. Finally, you reach the main zig-zags and a relentless climb taking you to the top, with just enough scenery to keep it from being a pure slog. On clear crisp sunny winters days, with some snow on the ground, the views can be exquisite. As you start your track in the morning you will see the sunrise from behind Snowdon and on your way back down you will see a glorious sunset. On rainy and cloudy days when no distant views are on offer, this can be a painfully boring path.
Download:
Snowdon Ranger Path (PDF)
Downloads:
snowdon-sherpa-2019 (PDF)
Safety Information:
Whichever path you choose you are in for a treat, but please give some consideration to your and your parties safety before you embark on your adventure. For the ill-prepared Snowdon is an unforgiving place.
Safety Information. Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team
Whichever path you choose you are in for a treat, but please give some consideration to your and your parties safety before you embark on your adventure. For the ill-prepared Snowdon is an unforgiving place.
Safety Information. Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team