Climbing Snowdon – your expert guide to the highest mountain in Wales

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) is the highest mountain in Wales and one of the most popular peaks in the world. Our expert guide tells you everything you need to know about climbing the 1,085m peak – including route advice, safety tips, and the best gear to take with you.

It feels like everyone you know has been up Snowdon. Every year the mountain attracts more than half a million walkers, hikers, climbers and scramblers of every age and ability – but don't let that put you off.

Snowdon most definitely isn't easy like many people would tell you. It's a complex, beautiful and sometimes brutal mountain, which also happens to be dripping in myth, legend and tales of legendary mountaineering exploits.

As well as being the tallest mountain in the Wales, it's pretty hard to argue Snowdon isn't also the best – a complex labyrinth of cliffs, lakes and ridges with thrills lurking around every kink in the trail.

If you want to climb Snowdon and need some experts tips to help you plan your ascent, read the guide below which has been compiled by our team of experts. Who between them have walked every route and climbed the mountain from every angle.

In this article, you’ll find advice on everything from picking the best route and parking responsibly to where to stock up on food and which pub to visit for a post-walk pint.

But first, in the words of former Trail magazine and Nat Geo online editor Simon Ingram, here’s why Yr Wyddfa is the perfect target for your next hiking adventure.

Snowdon – a mountain of thrills

Nobody knows Snowdon. Misconceptions cling to it like its own malignant weather systems. It's cursed with being 'The Highest Peak in Wales', therefore everyone's opinion is primed and armed before the beast's even left the cage.

Highest? Pah. Highest is for tourists. Snowdon is nothing more than a once-grand pompadour of a mountain now defiled by a café on the top and a train up the side and a queue everywhere else. Right? A ghetto for people who climb one hill in their life, and want it, need it, to be the highest.

"Climbing a mountain is about quality, not mere altitude, surely. Let Snowdon sponge up the crowds, and we'll go off and find summits of proper quality…" Do you believe that? It's Snowdon's greatest trick, and more fool you if it catches you out.

Truth: this magnificent chunk of geological muscle is perhaps Britain's most complete peak. Within its sway are some of the most intimidating places in Britain. Just for example is the cloud-coursed ridge of Crib Goch, a buzz-saw of exposed, angled rock that cuts the crowds into three ragged demographics: those who climb it and love it; those who won't go anywhere near it and leave it well alone; and those who fall uneasily in the middle.

The amount of naked rock the mountain flaunts is indecent, with its summit not an indistinct plateau nippled by a trig point, but a spectacular pyramid that climbs to a true apex. Hanging from it like so much bling are some of the most illustrious mountain artefacts, places where great and daring deeds have dazzled into history.

Trinity Face, Clogwyn y Person Arête, and the legendary Clogwyn Du'r Arddu – the 'black cliff', and finest climbing crag in Wales, some say the world – are criss-crossed by routes steepled by some of the mountain legends who revered Snowdon: Geoffrey Winthrop Young, George Mallory, Edmund Hillary, Joe Brown, Don Whillans, Johnny Dawes.

Final preparations for early Everest attempts were made in the deep gullies of Y Lliwedd, with the Pen-y-Gwyrd Hotel at the foot of the mountain serving as a rallying point for that most illustrious of teams right up until, one by one, they left the mountain – and the rest of us – forever.

The view from the summit has been evoked memorably by Wordsworth ('As I looked up, the Moon hung naked in a firmament of azure without cloud, and at my feet rested a silent sea of hoary mist') and by a few million others since-who have earned it by all means, from axe and sweat, to railway and a £45 return ticket.

As with history, myth hangs thick on the mountain and the two often intertwine. Rhitta the giant was slain by Arthur, and buried on the summit-hence its Welsh name. The king himself is said to have died on the mountain, disappearing into Llyn Llydaw, killed by an enemy firing from Bwlch y Saethau (Pass of the Arrows).

Perhaps the myths are a casualty of ridiculous ambience. But within the curl of its many valleys and gullies in the magical moments of transition between showers, there are times when you don't watch the mountain, so much as the mountain watches you. Snowdon's physical complexity and concentrated atmosphere are echoed in its schizophrenic personality and fickle temper: one day the seal, another day the shark.

In summer the top can be a throng of every demographic of outdoor aspirant-from bemused day-trippers to over-awed first-time walkers and the occasional knackered mountaineer. In the winter, the mountain turns its skin inside out and becomes a wasteland of desperate cold and desolation that is both shocking and awesome.

So strip back the perceptions. Leave them in the car. Take a deep breath of fragrantly chilly mountain air, and wander up to the point where the Pyg Track kinks to the right above Llyn Llydaw, and Snowdon's north-east face drops its veil, revealing the sharpened peak of Yr Wyddfa.

Now tell us that this mountain doesn't take your breath away – and for all the reasons that matter. Climb it a hundred times and you still won't really know it. But know this: Snowdon is a mountain of thrills, and a mountain for climbing. So climb it. And be thrilled.

Climbing Snowdon – common questions answered

Is the mountain called Snowdon or Yr Wyddfa?

Yr Wyddfa is the Welsh-language name for Snowdon, and as the mountain is based in Wales it is also very much the mountain's official name. This was confirmed in November 2022 when the National Park Authority announced it would refer to the mountain only by its Welsh name Yr Wyddfa, while also doing the same with the park's own name by officially switching from Snowdonia to Eryri.

The Welsh names have gained support and been successfully adopted in recent years, but it's fair to say many people still refer to the mountain as Snowdon and the national park as Snowdonia. This could well change in coming years and decades, but for now both names are still visible on Ordnance Survey maps.

How high is Snowdon?

Snowdon stands 1,085m tall, which places it 20 metres higher than near neighbour Garnedd Ugain/Crib y Ddysgl in the list of the highest mountains in Wales. It's also 21 metres taller than Carnedd Llewelyn (1,064m), which is the highest peak in Snowdonia's Carneddau mountain range and third highest in the country.

The fact Snowdon is more than 100 metres higher than Scafell Pike means it's also the highest mountain in Britain south of the Scottish border, making it a big and challenging undertaking for anyone climbing it.

Where is Snowdon located?

Snowdon is located in North Wales in Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park, in the county of Gwynedd. The mountain itself is huge and sprawling with many access points, but the two main ways to reach it are via the A55 from the north or A5 from the south.

The A55 dual carriageway runs along the north coast of Wales before breaking off near Bangor on the A4244 to Llanberis. The A5 travels into Wales via Shropshire, through Betws-y-Coed and into Capel Curig, where you turn left on the A4086 towards Snowdon and the Pass of Llanberis.

In terms of public transport, the Snowdon Sherpa bus network shuttles around the base of the mountain, connecting various footpaths and surrounding villages. It’s a great service that – if the timings match up – allows you to walk up one path and descend a different one, then still make it back to your starting point. The most convenient train stations to access Snowdon from are Bangor and Betws-y-Coed.

How hard is climbing Snowdon?

Ranging from straightforward to scary. Snowdon is probably one of Britain's most dangerous mountains, due to the sheer variety of routes and their wildly different levels of exposure and technicality. As a result, the volunteers at Llanberis Mountain Rescue are severely overworked, with hundreds of callouts every year from people needing emergency assistance on the mountain.

On a clear and calm day the Llanberis Path can feel like a long uphill stroll, while the Pyg Track is a more rocky and exciting hillwalk. But find yourself on the razor-sharp ridge of Crib Goch and you'll face a severe test of nerve and scrambling ability.

Snowdon is an awesome, fearsome mountain with highly changeable weather, plus cliffs and aretes that will make your knees tremble. Select your route wisely.

What's the best route up Snowdon?

The answer to this question very much depends on your level of experience and ability in the mountains, while taking into account other key factors such as fitness, time of year and the people you're likely to be walking with.

There are multiple routes up Snowdon ranging from fairly standard hillwalks to exposed and challenging mountain ridges, so the trail you choose is crucial.

Make no mistake, Snowdon is a big and very serious mountain. So ignore the pictures you've seen on Instagram of toddlers at the summit and make sure you do your research and prepare properly.

We've written an article about the 10 best routes up Snowdon to help you pick the perfect one for your trip. Many people have heard of the Crib Goch ridge approach and it really is a stunning mountain route, but certainly best avoided if you aren't an experienced and confident scrambler.

If you're planning to climb the mountain with kids we've put together this guide, and if you're visiting in the winter months then read this article first.

How long does it take to climb Snowdon?

That will all depend on the route you choose (see above). The Pen-y-Pass car park at an altitude of 359m means an ascent of the Pyg Track can see you reach the summit in less than three hours, whereas longer routes such as the Llanberis Path, Watkin Path or South Ridge are likely to take much longer. So do your research before setting off.

But most importantly, think less about your ascent of Snowdon in terms of hours, and more in terms of it being a full mountain day. Whatever route you take, you'll be on the mountain for at least five or six hours, so plan properly, relax and take your time.

What's the weather like on Snowdon?

Soggy! The summit of nearby Crib Goch is officially the wettest place in Britain, and low cloud, strong winds and heavy rain are common enemies on the mountain. Throughout the year, summit temperatures can range from -20°C to 30°C, so take good gear and brush up on your map and compass skills.

What gear do I need to climb Snowdon?

Whatever route you choose, climbing Snowdon is a proper mountain day so you’ll need reliable gear and the skills to navigate if the weather turns on you. As it often can do in north Wales!

Absolute essentials include comfortable and supportive footwear, a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, insulating layers, hat, gloves, a backpack to carry food and drink, plus a printed map and compass. The Llanberis Path and Pyg Track are likely to be busy in the main walking seasons, but you can’t rely on other walkers to be close by if you need to make decisions on navigation.

See our hiking gear reviews for all the latest product testing from our expert gear team.

Can I get the train back down if I'm tired?

You certainly can't rely on that. Snowdon is one of the few mountains that has a train line running up it and a train station on the actual summit, but you can only pre-book either a one-way ticket to the top or a full round-trip.

Single tickets back down the mountain are only ever available on a standby first come, first served basis, so they can't be relied on. So if you've made it to the top of the mountain, make sure you've got enough energy and time left in the day to make it back down on foot.

Where's the best place to park near Snowdon?

This is an incredibly busy peak surrounded by narrow mountain roads in an overcrowded national park, so the key thing to remember is that if you arrive by car you must park safely and responsibly.

The good news is there are plenty of car parks in Llanberis and Nant Peris, where you can pay to leave your car and then either walk directly up the mountain from there, or jump on the regular Sherpa Bus service which will drop you off at Pen-y-Pass.

Pen-y-Pass car park itself is a very convenient starting place for the Pyg and Miners' Tracks, but is expensive and has low capacity so must be booked well in advance of your trip. There are also plenty of options on the opposite side of the mountain, if you’re planning to walk from Rhyd-Ddu or Nantgwynant.

Where can I buy food and drink?

Make sure you take supplies for the whole day. There is famously a cafe on top of Snowdon, which serves great good, but you should never rely on it and it will definitely be closed in the winter months.

It's best to carry too much food and drink and not need it, and there are plenty of places to stock up on the way to the peak, too. Capel Curig, Betws-y-Coed and Llanberis all have good shops, as does Bangor slightly further away towards the coast.

Are there any bins on the mountain?

Litter is a huge problem on Snowdon due to this being one of the world's busiest mountains, and disposing of waste has become costly for Eryri National Park. Note there are no bins at Pen-y-Pass or the summit, and you are asked to take all litter home with you.

What about toilets?

There are toilets at the bottom of all the main paths on Snowdon, but as you'd probably expect there's nothing beyond that. So if you do get caught short, deal with it discreetly and well away from the paths. And if you leave something particularly gruesome on the ground, bag it up like dog poo and carry it home with you!

Will my mobile phone work?

Mobile reception in Snowdonia is notoriously poor – and we're still yet to get phone signal on any of our trips to Pen-y-Pass.

Often the higher you get up the mountain, the better the signal is, but it’s never guaranteed. If you’re using a GPS app that requires mobile data, it can’t be relied on for navigation, so download any maps you may need before setting off.

Can I take my dog up Snowdon?

You can, but always under close control. Snowdon is a busy mountain so don't let your dog impede other walkers and be aware that this is an important sheep grazing area. The terrain is a mixture of paths, scree, bare rock and ridges, which can be harsh on a dog’s pads, so test them on similar routes first.

Should I hire a guide?

Hiring a local guide can take the stress out of organising your trip and they will enhance your walk with their excellent knowledge of the local area. Make sure they're well qualified before booking though. Visit the Find a Leader section of the Mountain Training website for a list of recommended guides.

How do I contact Mountain Rescue in an emergency?

First up, are you sure you need rescuing? Being tired or running out of Jelly Babies aren’t good enough reasons to mobilise a busy team of volunteers. But if it’s a genuine emergency, and you believe you or one of your party are in danger, dial 999 or 112 and ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue. Know your location and emergency details before calling.

Where's the best place to stay?

Llanberis, Beddgelert, Capel Curig, Rhyd-Ddu and Betws-y-Coed have a huge variety of options, ranging from campsites, inns, B&Bs and hostels to luxury hotels.

The YHA website is a good place to look for quality affordable rooms (YHA Pen-y-Pass is perfectly located) and you can search for good local deals at Booking.com

What's the best local pub?

In terms of history, you can't beat the Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel. Located at the base of the Pass of Llanberis, it's full of memorabilia from the 1953 Everest team who used it as their training headquarters.

Similarly, Mallory's Bar at YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass was once a popular watering hole with many UK mountaineering greats.

Climbing Snowdon – our top 5 insider tips

1. Use the Sherpa bus

Pen-y-Pass has very limited parking, is expensive and must be booked in advance. So if Pen-y-Pass is where you want to start walking from, as many people do, park in Llanberis or Nant Peris and catch the regular Sherpa Bus service up the pass instead.

2. Make a weekend of it

One of the advantages of climbing Snowdon is that the mountain isn't too far from big cities like Liverpool and Manchester, so can be climbed by many people on a day-trip.

But there's so much more to see and climb in Eryri National Park – such as Tryfan, the Glyderau and Carneddau – that it would be waste not to spend a weekend here.

3. Check out Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw

The twin lakes of Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw lie close to each other in the eastern flanks of Snowdon and make a stunning sight when you walk above them on the Pyg Track.

But they're even more spectacular if you get close on an ascent or descent of the Miners' Track, and Glaslyn in particular is a wonderful place to dip your toes into the water on a warm summer day.

4. Consider losing the crowds

There can be thousands of people climbing Snowdon on a single day in the summer, and if that doesn't sound like your cup of tea then try one of the lesser-trodden trails to the summit. If you approach from the south or west, on either the Ranger Path, Rhyd-Ddu Path or South Ridge, you're likely to have a much quieter experience.

5. Don't forget some cash

There's a good cafe at the top of Snowdon serving excellent refreshments. It can get seriously busy and is closed in the winter, but if you visit in the summer it's a great morale booster if you can grab a snack or drink on the summit.

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