Snowdon, at 1085 metres in height is the tallest mountain in Wales and has a number of varied walking routes to the summit. It's also one of the mountains climbed on the National Three Peaks Challenge - Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis being the other two - with the climb up Snowdon usually being the first or final mountain. The mountain is also part of the Welsh 3 Peaks and the Welsh 14/15 Peak Challenge.
For those who don't want a challenge, there's the option of ascending on the famous Snowdon Mountain Railway that ferries the masses to the summit, rather than tacking the climb themselves. While you can climb or walk up the mountain, there are those who choose to run up Snowdon, and the Annual International Snowdon Race in July is world famous!
We recommend if you do not have mountain walking experience to join a guided walk up Snowdon organised by an experienced and qualified mountain guide.
It's also famous for the Snowdon Horseshoe scrambling route, the best way to climb the highest mountain in Wales! Ascending first up Crib Goch, the hardest route, for those with a head for heights, the route continues over Crib y Ddysgl, Yr Wyddfa and descends via Y Lliwedd. One of the best mountain days in the UK. We've listed the best circular routes on Snowdon to make choosing a day walk even easier.
More popular is the Llanberis Path, which is the most popular route of ascent. It's generally accepted to be the easiest route in non-winter conditions, but note that's 'easiest' and not easy - as there's no easy way to walk up this mountain! In winter, it's one of the more dangerous options as the section known as the Killer Convex means that a slip at that point can often be fatal.
You'll need to know what you need to walk up Snowdon -which is the right gear to start with, with the proper mountain skills just as essential. In other words, you'll need the gear and you'll need to know how to use it!
The Routes to Snowdon Summit Interactive Map has an interactive map that shows all the walking routes to the summit, with a page for each walk that shows the route and has a downloadable gpx file. The walks up Snowdon are divided into easy walks, hard walks and scrambles up Snowdon. We have a full description for all the popular walks to the summit, from the Llanberis Path to Crib Goch and The Miners' Tracks. We also describe the less popular, but by no means less scenic routes like Snowdon South Ridge and Y Gribin.
We know that there's more to the area than Snowdon so we've added a Walks in Snowdonia section for other related walks which are hosted on our sister site - Mud and Routes. The very best walks in Snowdonia has been curated for you as the best easy walks in Snowdonia and the best mountain walks in Snowdonia, with a selection of easier hill walks on our best walks to easier summits in Snowdonia page.
You can add your Snowdon Accommodation or Campsite, or any relevant local business via our Business Listing Page - currently FOR FREE!
Route Name |
Starting Point |
Parking Post Code |
Distance* |
Ascent / Climbing |
Walking Time** |
Llanberis Path Route |
Llanberis | LL55 4TD | 7km | 945m | 3-4 hours |
Snowdon Ranger Route |
Snowdon Ranger | LL54 7YS | 6km | 900m | 2-3.5 hours |
Miners' Track Route |
Pen y Pass | LL55 4NY | 6km | 800m | 2-3 hours |
Rhyd Ddu Path |
Rhyd Ddu | LL54 6TN | 6km | 860m | 2-3 hours |
Watkin Path |
Nant Gwynant | LL55 4NR | 6km | 1000m | 3-4 hours |
PYG Track |
Pen y Pass | LL55 4NY | 5km | 800m | 2 -3 hours |
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If you want further advice on Walking up Snowdon, then visit our Mud and Routes Outdoor Forum - Walking up Snowdon. We are unable to respond by email or on every comments for advice, and this will be an easier way to ensure people's questions are answered.
As far as Snowdon Maps and Access go, the OS Explorer maps at 1:25,000 scale show access land that has a Right to Roam. However, this isn’t as important as you might think. As someone who walks often in Snowdonia, we noticed no changes to the way we plan our walks when this legislation was …
So it’s a Tuesday afternoon and we’re sat in the office discussing how to get people to take some simple actions to ensure they have a safe and comfortable day in the outdoors for the national safety campaign, AdventureSmart.UK. We have the country’s leading experts sat around the table so identifying the actions is simple. …
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So you’ve come over to Snowdonia to climb Snowdon, or just on holiday, and you’re looking for the best things to do if you’re based in Llanberis – be it rain or shine. In fact, there’s plenty to do – the biggest problem you’ll have is choosing. These Llanberis tourist attractions and activities are suitable …
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Snowdon Weather forecasts Always check the latest mountain weather forecasts before your walk up Snowdon! By their nature, general forecasts aren’t particularly useful as they don’t take into account the weather the mountains themselves cause. Instead visit the following sites for reliable Snowdon weather forecasts. Don’t let the Warden’s Report at Pen y Pass come …
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With Snowdon being such a popular mountain and with summer routes that are reasonably straightforward, you’d be forgiven for thinking that walking up Snowdon in winter and snow isn’t much different. With wide paths in summer, it’s surprising how they change under winter conditions of snow and ice and become a totally different proposition. Remember that …
If you plan on walking up Snowdon, you’ll need the right clothing and the proper equipment. You need to be suitably dressed for the weather that is likely to be experienced at the summit not just at the car park! That doesn’t mean you have to wear your waterproofs in the sunshine, like many still …
What to Wear and Carry to Safely Walk up Snowdon 5/5 (1) Read More »
For those who want to climb Snowdon, camping is an ideal way to base yourself in Snowdonia for a weekend or longer. You’re spoilt for choice, with at least 9 campsites around the mountain that are all within walking distance of the footpaths or the Snowdon Sherpa. Many of the campsites are geared around car …
Here’s the official Walk up Snowdon list of the Routes up Snowdon in order of difficulty. We’re including all 8 of the main routes up (anyone who claims there are only 6 walks doesn’t know Snowdon!) We’ll also try and justify our order – why one walks is easier than the previous walk and harder …
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There are plenty of challenging mountain days in Snowdonia, just read our Best Hill Walks in Snowdonia article. The following is a list of some of the less challenging walks to hills and mountains in Snowdonia and North Wales that might be more suitable for beginners or as a good walk in their own right. …
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Snowdon Sherpa bus service The Snowdon Sherpa bus service is the ideal option for walkers that are looking to minimise their use of the car, or those who want to avoid the scrabble for a parking space during Summer months. The service travels around the foot of Wales’s highest summit, and creates a handy link …
Snowdonia boasts more walking than just Snowdon, so here’s our pick of the best walks in Snowdonia National Park. These are the best mountain walks in our opinion, though we’ve limited the routes so as not to take more than 2 walks from one mountain range. So we’ve probably missed a couple of walks off because …
Best Hill Walks in Snowdonia and North Wales 5/5 (1) Read More »
The Carneddau are a wide expanse of high mountain and moorland to the north of Snowdonia National Park. Often climbed from Ogwen, as they are conveniently placed opposite the Glyderau, they have a multitude of approach options. Carnedd Llywelyn and Carnedd Dafydd These are the highest mountains in wales after Snowdon, with Carned Llywelyn only …
