Snowdon Walk

Snowdon (3,560 feet / 1,085 m) is the highest mountain in England and Wales. It is also the country's most climbed hill. There are several footpaths, and a narrow gauge steam railway to the summit, and a cafe when you get there. In clear weather, you can see all of Snowdonia, Anglesy laid out like a map, and even as far as the Lake District and Ireland. However there are many days when the summit is covered in low cloud when you will see nothing!

This advice is aimed at the thousands of people with little mountain experience (together with their young children and dogs) who climb Snowdon every year. Experienced hill walkers can skip most of the safety advice, and skip to the practical details about buses and car parks.

Snowdon is a 'star fish shaped' mountain with several glacial ridges (arêtes) leading to a central summit, many of which have a path, and all of which involve at least 2,400 feet / 800 metres of ascent and descent. However, this is still achievable, albeit with a lot of effort, even by the less fit. The only exception is the Snowdon Horseshoe / Crib Goch path, which involves scrambling (i.e. using your hands) on an exposed (i.e. steep drops on both sides) ridge - one for the experienced hiker in good conditions only.

It is essential that you check the Snowdonia weather forecast before you leave home.

• While you can still climb safely in mist and rain, you may not see much further than your nose from the top, in which case you may decide a lower level walk is more fun.
• In poor visibility, inexperienced walkers should stick to the easier, more popular, paths from Llanberis or Pen-y-pass.
• Some snow on the summit is OK, but winter conditions - strong wind, heavy rain and especially ice are far more serious.
• Take a fully charged phone, a map, a wind and waterproof jacket, sensible shoes, and in summer, a hat and enough water. Mountain Rescue call outs have doubled since Covid.

Walking up Snowdon had becomes very popular - especially with social media and after covid - there will be queues to get to the summit "trig point" (a pillar placed by the Ordnance Survey) on sunny summer weekends and Bank Holidays.

• start early (or mid afternoon on long summer days), or midweek, or outside school holidays, to avoid the crowds
• the Snowdonia Park Authority is strictly enforcing parking restrictions everywhere near Snowdon. You cannot park on the main roads near Snowdon, only in car parks or laybys (and even they are pay parking). You may have to use a park-and-ride in Llanberis.

Finally, Snowdon is the most popular mountain in the country for good reasons - getting to the top is an achievement and the views are amazing

There are several paths to the top of Snowdon. Choose a route to go up, and another to go down. Distances below are one way.

For inexperienced hill walkers, the following are recommended. They have well maintained easy to follow paths.

• the Miners' Track (up) and Pyg Tracks (down), starting at Pen-y-Pass - the least ascent, but you'll probably have to take a park-and-ride bus to Pen-y-Pass.
• the Llanberis Path - the least gradient and easy parking in Llanberis.

The classic Snowdon Horseshoe, for experienced walkers only, is the Miners Track + Crib Gosh up, and Y Lliwedd down.

Snowdon is a climb, but even the less fit can still manage it - thousands of people, including many young children do it each year. None of the routes up involve climbing except Crib Goch - you should know what you're doing to attempt that route.

Wear sensible shoes. Waterproof boots with ankle support are best (this helps when you are tired on the way down), but trainers are OK as the paths are well maintained).

Take a waterproof (on a mountain, cold plus wet equals dead!), spare warm clothes, a torch, and some sugary snack and lots of water.

Bring and drink lots of water, especially in summer - you will feel better the next day if you do.

Take lots of short breaks, on the way up, and especially on the way down. This gives your leg muscles (on the way up) and knees/ankles (on the way down) a rest. Resting on the way down is especially important as you knees absorb all the energy you used to climb the mountain. Take breaks before you need them!

Snowdon is a much harder climb than low level walks, even with similar ascent. For example, the 7 Sisters walk in the southeast has severals short climbs and descents, but each one is quite short, so the muscles/knees aren't worked for too long before they get a rest. Here your leg muscles will work solidly for several hours in a row, then your knees on the way down. If you don't want them to ache too much the next day - take lots of short rests.

Walking up is easier than walking down, especially if there is snow or ice, walking pole's / a stick might help. Fortunately, the rocks aren't slippery when wet.

Check the summits before you start - if there are covered in cloud, you may not see a thing, but if you are here only for a few days you may wish to climb anyway.

If your kegs are hurting when you get to the top (and the train is full), or it is icy, take the Llanberis path down (it follows the railway line) which is the easiest of the paths.

Do take water and waterproofs.

In summer take extra water, and a hat / sun lotion (you'll be outside for several hours)

In winter start early and take extra warm clothes and a torch. If not doing the Miners/Pyg/Llanberis track, you must take a map and compass

Do not attempt if there is ice on the summit - check the freezing level is well above 900m

Start from Pen-y-pass (up the Pyg track, and down the Miners track) or Llanberis. For any other path you should have a map, compass, and know how to use them.

Winter safety - adapted from the Llanberis Mountain Rescue website

1. Keep an eye on the met office weather for Snowdonia for a few days before your planned a trip, as it has information of the freezing level as well as weather outlook. If the freezing level has stayed below 900 metre for a day or more you can expect some icy condition high up on the mountains.
2. If it has been below freezing we recommend that you take with you both an ice axe and crampons, as even the PYG track becomes a inclined ice rink after even a short period of frost due to the amount of running water on it (and know) how to use it properly
3. If it looks winterly from the car it will look and feel very winterly on the summits.
4. If in doubt about the conditions ask at local outdoor centres or shops, most will be happy to give you the word on the street about conditions.
5. Start early, and carry a head torch, as the limited day light and the longer days associated with winter mountaineering can bully up against you.
6. If you do get caught out, could you survive the night? Are you carrying a survival bag or better still a blizzard bag, and some high energy food?
7. A map and compass are essential as ever, again with the ability to use them.
8. Carrying a fully charge mobile phone is advisable, even if it is only to warn those at home you'll be a little late back!
9. If you haven't been out in winter before take a progressive approach to the difficulty of route you try.
10. Finally, have fun there is nothing more rewarding than scaling a mountain when it is shrouded in winter's cloak.

1. Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) - 1,085 m - The highest peak, by the cafe / railway station.
2. Garnedd Ugain (Crib y Ddysgl) - 1,065 m - The second highest peak in Wales. Easy to get to from the main peak - follow the Llanberis path by the railway, pass the post marking the start of the Pyg/Miners paths (400m). At the path split (100m), go right, gently uphill (400m). Don't go further than the trig point - it involves scrambling.
3. Crib Goch - 923 m - Part of the Snowdon Horseshoe. Not easy to get to. A scramble for the experienced only along an arête (narrow ridge) from Garnedd Ugain.

The Snowdon trains are quite small, expensive, and on school holiday / weekends, usually full. You can book a single up in advance (2025: £35 single + parking, £5 cheaper before 9am) and walk down. Book in advance otherwise you may have a long wait. However, they are also usually full on the way down - so if you walk up on a busy day, you will probably have to walk down as well. Note that return tickets give you 30 mins on the summit (or you miss your way down slot), so aren't suitable (again, on busy days) for people in your party who don't want to walk, but want to take the train instead and meet you at the top.

Car: The A55 along the North Wales coast is a motorway - even from London / the south, its the quickest way (M6 - M62 - A55)

Train: Bangor then regular Snowdon Sherpa buses to Llanberis. Betws-y-Coed and Porthmadog (on the Cambrian coast line) are also on Snowdon Sherpa bus routes.

Snowdon Sherpa Bus Service

• Bus route map. Use Google Maps to check bus times, especially the LAST BUS.
• Most routes are 2 per hour, except Llanberis to Pen-y-Pass which is 4 per hour summer and weekends.
• Fares are about £2 / £3 return for Llanberis - Pen-y-Pass.
• A North Wales 1 day bus pass is [2025] £7 (£4.70 non-Welsh bus pass holders, £15 family), which is good value if you're travelling from Bangor, the nearest station.
• Note the English £2.50 bus ticket scheme does not apply.
• There are also Snowdon Sherpa buses routes suitable for the Glyders and Carneddau

Plan Ahead! The Snowdon Park Authority is in to net stupidity, pro public transport, and very anti car

• Parking on the side of the road is not allowed, especially around Pen-y-Pass. No parking on the verge, even if you are completely off the road. You have to use a car park, or park and ride bus service.
• The National Park car parks (and roadside laybys) are all £6 [2015]. Even roadside laybys have a ticket machine. Take cash in case of poor reception.
• Some of the private car parks have poor reputations. Check the payment went through and take a photo of your receipt. One minute over and you will be fined, so pay for enough time (at least 10 hrs from Llanberis to be safe)
• On the plus side, the park and ride scheme means you can walk up and down using different paths, and return to your car by bus.

Each trailhead has ample parking. The only exception is Pen-y-Pass which only has a small car park - most people have have to park in Llanberis (after dropping off their passengers) and take the bus

Llanberis

Several car parks. Perfect for the Llanberis path, but for the Pen-y-Pass paths, you'll need to catch the bus.

Pay for enough time (and keep/photograph your receipt), 10 hours recommended. 1 minute over and you'll be fined!

• Parking for Snowdon (private), LL55 4TY, £12 for all day, keep your receipt
• Electric Mountain Car Park (private), Ll55 4TA, £9 for all day, keep your receipt
• Mountain Railway car park (heritage railway), LL55 4TU, £12 for all day
• Ger Y Llyn car park (Council), LL55 4TY, £7.70 (4.60 winter) for 12 hrs
• Dolbadarn (Padarn Country Park), LL55 4TY, open 6am to 8pm only, £5
• Gilfach Ddu (Padarn Country Park), LL55 4TY, open 6am to 8pm only, £5
• Y Glyn (Padarn Country Park), LL55 4EL, open 6am to 8pm only, medium stay. 3 adjoining car parks here. £6 for 8hrs (not enough time for Snowdon), £16.50 for 24, so most expensive in town!
• Village Car Park / Llyn Padarn is short stay only

And south of town towards Pen-y-Pass

• Nant Peris national park park-and-ride car park, LL55 4UG, £5
• A few small free roadside laybys on the road up to Pen-y-Pass, closer to the bottom (Nant Peris) than the top. These are free as they are outside the national park.

Bus times (Llanberis and Nant Peris to/from Pen-y-Pass)

• weekdays, first 7.10, last back 7.24pm, every 30 mins
• weekends and summer, first 7.10, last back 7.24pm, every 15 mins

Pen-y-Pass (Miners, Pyg, Crib Gosh)

LL55 4NY, on A4086, South of Nant Peris / Llanberis / Bangor / North Wales Coast: LL55 4NY. There is a pub a mile to the south east at the A4086/A498 junction.

The car park here is pre-book only in summer, and is £20 (8 hrs) / £30 (12 hrs) / £40 (24 hrs). 8 hours should be enough. No overnight parking, but its 24 hrs, so you can arrive early to summit at dawn.

Your best bet might be to drop people at Pen-y-pass, and head back down to Llanberis to use the park and ride.

There are some laybys (£6) by the A4086/A498 junction, LL55 4NT, and a path parallel to the road back up to Pen-y-Pass.

Bethania (Watkin Path)

LL55 4NL on the A496, south of Snowdon

Limited parking, so get here early on busy days. Some free parking by the Nant Gwynant Cafe and a small national park car park by the bridge £6

Rhyd Du

LL54 6TL on A4085, west of Snowdon. National Park car park £6, some on street parking in the village

Snowdon Ranger

LL54 7YS on A4085, west of Snowdon. By the Youth Hostel opposite Llyn (Lake) Cwellyn. Large National Park car park £6

• Met Office - Snowdonia Weather
• Snowdon Public Transport (and park and ride scheme)
• Snowdon Sherpa Buses Timetable (if this link is broken, start from here)
• National Park - Walking up Snowdon a more detailed route description
• Crib Goch

The Park Authority has gone woke over Welsh as well as parking. They now use "Eyri" National Park instead of Snowdonia, and "Yr Wydffa" for Snowdon. And the park and ride buses are called "Sherpa'r Wyddfa" Good luck with pronouncing it! Not very welcoming to overseas visitors - many of whom will have some English, but no Welsh. Children all over Wales, including the English speaking areas, are forced into Welsh language schools, which will do them no favours in later life if they want to travel or go on to University.

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

You can also upload photos to the SWC Group on Flickr (upload your photos) and videos to Youtube. This walk's tags are:

National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Apr-25 Andrew