The mountain top stands at 1085m above sea level and is the highest mountain in Wales and England.
Refreshments were first sold at the summit by an enterprising miner named Morris Williams in 1838.
You Can Climb Snowdon with us on a guided hike Book online
There are six main paths on Yr Wyddfa, Snowdon
Llanberis Path – 14.5km – Longest and most straight forward route.
Miners Track – 13km – Flat to start and lots of ascent at the end.
P.Y.G Track – 11km – Gradually gains height during the whole of the ascent.
Rhyd Ddu Path – 12km – Quieter and mixed paths and rough tracks with a narrow ridge to traverse.
Snowdon Ranger Path – 13km – A longer route that winds its way round the mountains.
Watkin Path – 13km – Easy path to start then very steep loose scree to the summit, make sure you have deep grip on your boots, it can be very very slippy when wet.
Parking in the Snowdonia National Park
As Snowdonia is so compact and also very very popular, as you will expect there will be parking issues.
We would encourage everyone to use the centralised carparks in Llanberis and Bethesda as your parking base, and then use the excellent Sherpa Bus Service and the Ogwen Bus service to get to your destination.
Llanberis Path: If you plan to hike on the Llanberis Path, there is plenty of parking in the village of Llanberis, and also the Sherpa bus service to get you to Pen y Pass if you plan to hike on the Miners Path or the P.Y.G Track.
Miners Path and P.Y.G Track: Pen Y Pass parking area, You need to book online in advance to park here.
Watkin Path: There is a small pay and display carpark at Pont Bethania, Nant Gwynant, near the start of the route, get here early though.
Rhyd Ddu: A larger pay and display in the village of Rhyd Ddu.
Snowdon Ranger Path: There is good parking at Llyn Cwellyn Car Park
In the 1950’s Plumber come rock climber Joe Brown and his colleagues slid down the Snowdonia Mountain Railway after their climbs by placing a flat rock on the central rack of the line with a foot on each outside rail for balance and breaking.
The seagull, not normally seen on mountains is the most common bird seen on Yr Wyddfa.
What is the geology of Snowdon like?
Snowdon area geology comprises many different rock types.
Mostly Volcanic origin with Rhyolite and Dolerite being the most common. The two types can be clearly seen from Pont y Cromlech in the Llanberis Pass.
Looking toward Crib Goch (south west), the crags known as Dinas Mot (due south) have a smoother central ‘nose’ which is Rhyolite and darker, rougher much more vegetated ‘wings’. These are Dolerite.
How long does it take to hike up and down Snowdon?
A typical average time is 6.5hrs hours up and down on the Llanberis Path. But some slower parties may take considerably longer. It would always be wise to allow at least three hours to descend before nightfall, also do not start up with only three hours light left !!!.
I’ve been told that in good weather Snowdon is not that dangerous and I don’t need lots of fancy outdoor gear. Is this true?
Settled weather is rare and cannot be relied upon. So it makes sense to be prepared for many weather types. Many of the people Mountain Rescue are called to help have got into difficulties through lack of the basic clothing, equipment and are lost, with no map and compass skills.
All are fairly well defined in clear conditions but people do get lost in mist or darkness.
The Llanberis path is generally considered to be the easiest to follow in Summer.
Extreme caution is needed in winter, all mountains can be far more dangerous, when there is snow on the mountain there are no easy ways up or down.
Does Snowdon have snow on it all the year round?
Winter weather conditions, i.e. freezing rain, sleet, hail and snow conditions are common and often persistent from October and can linger up to early June.
Are there organised guided hike in Snowdonia?
Yes, you can choose your guided hike here: Guided hikes in Snowdonia
Where can you get a good weather forecast for Snowdon?
Have a search for Metoffice Snowdon
Will the cafe be open and can I stay there?
The summit building has no overnight accommodation and is closed from October to June. Information about summer opening times can be obtained from
Snowdon Mountain Railway on Tel:- 01286 870223 or
Also Do not rely on the summit building being open in summer as it may be closed during high winds or bad weather, generally if the Snowdon Mountain Railway Trains aren’t running then the building at the summit will be closed too!
Is it possible to suffer altitude sickness on Snowdon?
No! The British mountains are not high enough to cause altitude sickness, most people only start to feel the effects of altitude from circa 2500m and above.
Rock Climbing History
Clogwyn du’r Arddu on Snowdon was the first rock climbing cliff to have a whole book devoted to it “The Black Cliff” cost £2.55 when first published in 1971 and if you can find a good copy it is now worth in excess of £250 !