Snowdon
Walking Guide and Walks

Snowdon (Welsh: Yr Wyddfa) at 1085 metres above sea level is the highest mountain in Wales. Located in the Snowdonia National Park it is a very busy mountain especially on the paths from Pen-y-Pass and Llanberis. The view from the summit is superb in good weather with Ireland, Scotland, England and the Isle of Man in the extensive panorama.

There are eight main routes to Snowdon's summit.

The Llanberis Path - the longest route and the least steep which mainly follows the Snowdon Mountain Railway. For many this is the least interesting and easiest way to the top.

Snowdon Ranger Path - climbs from the western side of the mountain and is generally much less trodden than the routes from the east. Path starts with easy zig-zags before climbing to follow the ridge above Clogwyn Du'r Arddu towards the summit.

Rhyd Ddu Path - another quieter route from the west that is one of the easiest walks to the summit eventually joining the South Ridge for the final section to the top.

Watkin Path - seen by many as the most demanding route the walk starts from Bethania and offers a scenically interesting way up the mountain.

Over Y Lliwedd - is part of the Snowdon Horseshoe walk and is usually done as a means of descent from Snowdon.

Miners' Track - starting from Pen-y-Pass it is the most popular route up the mountain sharing the latter stages of the ascent with the Pyg Track.

Pyg Track - taking a higher route than the Miners' Path this route also provides the initial part of the Crib Goch Route.

Crib Goch route - a head for heights and some scrambling skills are needed to traverse one of the finest ridge walks in Britain. It is also the first stage of the Snowdon Horseshoe Walk and includes the summit of Crib y Ddysgl.

List of walks

★ GPS file available ☩ Route profile

Walk	Description	Grade	Miles
2122★☩	Cwm Glas from Pen-y-pass	mod/hard	4.00
1136★☩	Yr Aran (Route 2)	moderate	5.50
1192★☩	Yr Aran	mod/hard	6.50
3073★☩	Crib Goch, Garnedd Ugain and Snowdon from Pen-y-pass	hard	6.50
3057★☩	Moel Eilio from Llanberis	moderate	7.00
2729★☩	Snowdon by Rhyd-Ddu and Snowdon Ranger Paths	mod/hard	7.50
1418★☩	Snowdon and Y Lliwedd from Pen-y-pass	mod/hard	7.50
1958★☩	The Snowdon Horseshoe from Pen-y-pass	hard	7.50
1216★☩	Y Lliwedd & Snowdon from Pen-y-pass	mod/hard	7.50
1089★☩	Snowdon by the Pyg and Miner's Tracks	moderate	7.50
3198★☩	Snowdon via the South Ridge & Rhyd-ddu Path	mod/hard	7.50
2692★☩	Snowdon via Dinas Mot & Crib Goch from Pen-y-pass	hard	8.00
2290★☩	Snowdon via the Watkin Path & South Ridge from Bethania	mod/hard	8.00
3036★☩	Snowdon via Crib Goch from Pen-y-pass	very hard	8.50
2797★☩	Yr Aran and Snowdon from Rhyd-Ddu	mod/hard	8.50
1003★☩	Snowdon by the Llanberis Path	moderate	9.00
2626★☩	Snowdon & Garnedd Ugain from Llanberis	moderate	9.30
1681★☩	Moel Eilio & Moel Cynghorion from Llanberis	mod/hard	10.00
1103★☩	Snowdon & Cwm Llan horseshoe	very hard	13.00
3059★☩	Moel Cynghorion & Snowdon from near Llanberis	very hard	13.50
3002★	Welsh Three-Thousanders from Pen-y-Pass	severe	31.50

Table of summits in the Snowdon Group

Rank	Mountain	Metres/Feet	Location
1	Snowdon	1085 / 3560	Snowdonia
2	Garnedd Ugain	1065 / 3494	Snowdonia
17	Crib Goch	923 / 3028	Snowdonia
23	Y Lliwedd	898 / 2946	Snowdonia
98	Yr Aran	747 / 2451	Snowdonia
111	Moel Eilio	726 / 2382	Snowdonia
169	Moel Cynghorion	674 / 2211	Snowdonia

Map showing main paths and starting points.

Map of Snowdon walks

What is a mountain?

The accepted standard for a mountain in England & Wales is that its summit is 610 metres (2000 feet) or more above sea level. In addition, rules are in place on the height difference above intervening cols with adjacent summits to determine whether a summit is a separate mountain or a subsidiary 'top'. This is not the place to discuss the technicalities of this issue but the list has been checked against reliable tables. With simplicity in mind separate tops have been excluded from the list as these would normally be discussed in relation to their main summits. The list includes 258 summits and these will all be added in due course starting from the highest and working down.

Stay Safe

Do enjoy yourself when out walking and choose a route that is within your capabilities especially with regard to navigation.

Do turn back if the weather deteriorates especially in winter or when visibility is poor.

Do wear the right clothing for the anticipated weather conditions. If the weather is likely to change for the worse make sure you have enough extra clothing in your pack.

Do tell someone where you are planning to walk especially in areas that see few other walkers.

Do take maps and other navigational aids. Do not rely on mobile devices in areas where reception is poor. Take spare batteries especially in cold weather.

Do check the weather forecast before leaving. The Met Office has a number of forecasts for walkers that identify specific weather risks.

Please Note - These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that Walking Britain is not held responsible for the safety or well being of those following the routes as described. It is worth reiterating the point that you should embark on a walk with the correct maps preferably at 1:25000 scale. This will enable any difficulties with route finding to be assessed and corrective action taken if necessary.

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