The Highest Mountains in Snowdonia
By Dave Roberts 
Published – December 9, 2017
Posted in Walking In Eryri Snowdonia
The Highest Mountains in Snowdonia
While Snowdon is the highest mountain in Snowdonia and all of Wales, there are a multitude of other mountain summits in snowdonia that are just as good.
Here’s a list of the top 10 Mountains in Snowdonia that have at least 150m drop all around (aka as Marilyns). That means some famous mountains such as Crib Goch, Carnedd Dafydd and Glyder Fach don’t make the cut – despite being excellent summits. Click on the summit name to take you to more information about the mountain, as well as routes to the summits.
1 Snowdon – Yr Wyddfa (1085 metres) Snowdon Range
Snowdon requires no introduction as the highest mountain in Wales, and has a multitude of walks to the summit. So many, we thought it was worth dedicating an entire website to it!!
Why should i climb Snowdon? Because it’s the highest mountain in Wales.
2 Carnedd Llewelyn (1064 metres) Carneddau
The Second highest mountain in Wales is Carnedd Llewelyn – though depending on how you measure it, so’s Carnedd Ugain on Snowdon by a mere metre. Only misses out on the accolade of the nation’s highest mountain by a measly 21m. Carnedd Llewelyn is found in the Carneddau, an area of rounded hills with grand corries that make up the northernmost part of Snowdonia.
Why should i climb Carnedd Llewelyn? For the wide open views and long days in the hills.
3 Glyder Fawr (1001 metres) Glyderau
Only recently has Glyder Fawr entered the elite club of the 1KM high mountains. The highest point in the Glyderau (not the Glyders please) and usually walked along with it’s more interesting neighbour, Glyder Fach.
Why should i climb Glyder Fawr? In order to climb Glyder Fach.
4 Y Garn (947 metres) Glyderau
Y Garn is another of the Glyderau range that is in the top 10 highest mountains in Snowdonia. It’s a fine lump of a mountain, but is usually climbed along with one of the neighbouring summits. That said, ascending Y Garn from Ogwen Cottage and descending via Twll Du (Devil’s Kitchen) and Cwm Idwal is still a satisfying mountain walk.
Why should i climb y Garn? For views across to Tryfan and Glyder Fawr.
5 Elidir Fawr (924 metres) Glyderau
Elidir Fawr dominates the views from the start of the Llanberis Path up Snowdon and is the one scarred with all the slate quarries. It’s also the only mountain on the list that’s a battery (seriously, it’s a pump storage scheme with a powerstation deep inside the mountain).
Why should i climb Elidir Fawr? For views across to Y Garn, Glyderau and Tryfan.
6 Tryfan (917 metres) Glyderau
While Snowdon is the most popular mountain in Snowdonia (and possibly the UK), Tryfan is the most popular among hill walkers. Tryfan’s North Ridge is one of the most popular scrambles in Snowdonia, but it can also be tackled by the less difficult Tryfan South Ridge or the Heather Terrace. Many who climb Snowdon wouldn’t describe themselves as hill walkers, but rather people who happen to have walked up a mountain. Tryfan on the other hand takes no prisoners and you need to have your mountain legs before tackling it!
Why should i climb Tryfan? Because you can only call yourself a hill walker if you do.
7 Aran Fawddwy (905 metres) Aran Fawddwy
The first in the top 10 that’s both not in the popular walking area of Llanberis Pass – Ogwen – and not one of the traditional 14 peaks over 914ish metres in height. Aran Fawddwy is to the south of Llanuwchllyn on Llyn Tegid (There’s no such thing as Bala Lake -and if there were, it would be Y Bala Lake) or to the north of Dinas Mawddwy depending on how you approach it.
Why should i climb Aran Fawddwy? It’s the highest mountain south of Snowdon.
8 Y Lliwedd (898 metres) Snowdon Range
Y Lliwedd may be a lofty 898 metres in height, but it still looks tiny when viewed from the summit of Snowdon. Proably the most surprising inclusion on this list as it feels like a sidekick and not a superhero.
Why should i climb Y Lliwedd? To recover from the first half of the Snowdon Horseshoe.
9 Cader Idris – Penygadair (893 metres) Cader Idris
Cader Idris as it’s now called is the most popular mountain in South Snowdonia for good reason. With a choice of ascent routes to suit most tastes and abilities it’s Snowdon’s spiritual as well as geologic twin.
Why should i climb Cader Idris? Because you know a good mountain when you see one.
10 Moel Siabod (872 metres) Moelwynion
Carnedd Moel Siabod, to give it it’s full name, is the tenth highest mountain in Snowdonia. Being a solitary mountain right next to Snowdon, it’s no surprise that the views are extensive. Couple that with relatively steady walking, it makes a good option for a half day’s walk to loosen the legs.
Why should i climb Moel Siabod? For the best views you’ll get from a half day’s walking.
Dave Roberts
Related Posts
Tryfan – The Best Routes and Scrambles
Elidir Fawr – The Best Walks Up
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