summit snowdon

Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon – A useful guide to visiting England and Wales’s highest Mountain

Yr Wyddfa is the Welsh name for Snowdon’s peak. Yr Wyddfa is the highest peak in the Yr Wyddfa Massif, otherwise known as the Snowdon Range or Massif and is part of three mountain groups in Eryri (the Welsh name for Snowdonia) that include mountains over 3000ft.

The Snowdon Horseshoe is the name given to the semi circular ring of ridges and peaks on Yr Wyddfa’s eastern side. The peaks in the Horseshoe are those of Y Lliwedd, Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon, Garnedd Ugain and Crib Goch, with Yr Wyddfa being the highest.

How big is it?

At 1,085 metres or 3,560 feet, Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales and England (but not in Britain; that honour goes to Ben Nevis, in Scotland). Yr Wyddfa is one of more than 90 summits over 2,000 feet in Eryri/Snowdonia, and one of 15 peaks exceeding 3,000 feet.

boots  snowdonia walking

Which route to take?

There are six main routes to hike up Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon all with varying degrees of difficulty, so choose your route carefully before you go, to make sure that you are able to not only take the right route for you and your ability, but also which transport you take and if travelling by car, where to park.

The Llanberis Path – This path is considered to be one of the easiest and also longest of the paths up Yr Wyddfa. It starts from the town of LLanberis, which has good transport links with the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus service running from various outlying villages and towns including Betws Y Coed where we are based. There are also various car parks that offer all day parking, but beware that in the high season these get very busy.

The Miners Track – This path is one of the most popular paths along with the Pyg track that start from the Pen Y Pass and takes you past three beautiful lakes Lyyn Teyrn, Llyn Llydaw and Llyn Glaslyn. This route starts fairly gently before rising up through the cwm to the ridge and then the summit of Yr Wyddfa. On a good day you will be able to see the peak for most of your ascent. There is limited parking at the Pen Y Pass and from Spring through to Autumn you have to pre-book the car park possibly days in advance. The other option is to use the park and ride Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus from Nant Peris (just a few minutes drive from the Pen Y Pass) or from Llanberis or Betws Y Coed.

The Pyg Track – The Pyg track starts from the Pen Y Pass just as the Miners Track does, but this path takes you up a much higher route. It meets the Miners track not long before the ridge and then on to the summit. This track is definitely more challenging than the Miners Track, but the views are stunning. Just be careful not to venture through the gate to Crib Goch, which is an exposed arete and is a route only suitable for those with experience and a head for heights!

The Watkins Path – This path is considered the hardest and one of the longest routes up to the summit. Its certainly not a route to try if you are new to hiking up mountains. Its a beautiful route that starts from Nant Gwynant just a little over sea level. Parking here is pay and display and is limited. It is often already full from dawn during peak season, so you will need to start early to avoid the rush and we can provide you with a takeaway breakfast to help you on your way. The route is served by the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus service too which does mean you can start later to avoid the crowds. Towards the start of the route is a stunning waterfall with lots of pools for the brave to plunge in and various old mine buildings to discover along the way. An alternative decent is via South Ridge creating a circular route.

The Snowdon Ranger – This path is a lesser used route and starts at the shores of Llyn Cwellyn and climbs up the western side of Yr Wyddfa. It is believed to be one of the earliest routes up to the summit and merges with the Llanberis path. For those that would like to get away from the crowds, this path is a good option, but again parking is limited, although the use of the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus is also available here.

The Rhyd Ddu – This path like the Snowdon Ranger, is a lesser used path that starts from the village of Rhyd Ddu and also ascends the western slopes of Yr Wyddfa. This route is around a 1.5 miles from the Snowdon Ranger and has some stunning mountain scenery, but beware the last section of path is narrow and rocky with steep drops, so care needs to be taken. Again parking is limited so it may be worth using the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus as a better travel option.

How long does it take to walk it?

Each route is different and depends on various factors as in your ability, your fitness, the weather and if you are anything like us how many photo’s you stop to take! Each of the routes listed above give you a link to Eryri/Snowdonia National Park website and its information on each route to give you a guide. We can provide you with advice and maps to help you plan your route, as we have hiked many of the routes ourselves.

There is also an app (Llwybrau’r Wyddfa) that you can download for your smart phone which will enable you to check your route even if you do not have any signal.

What’s the weather like on the mountain?

When it’s good, it’s very, very good and when it’s bad, its…….well bad.  The main thing is that it can change quickly so being properly prepared, ie. having checked the forecast that morning and got the correct equipment is all very important. Hiking up Yr Wyddfa can be dangerous so make sure you are prepared for the unexpected. Check this guide to make sure you have everything you need to enjoy your adventure! https://www.adventuresmart.uk/ 

Llanberis Mountain Rescue are a non-profit organisation made up of 40-50 volunteers, read their safety guide to ensure you’re not the reason they are called away from their families and friends to rescue you. To make sure you are prepared check the latest weather forecast for Snowdonia from Mountain Weather Information Service.

What is it made of?

Five hundred million years ago, Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon was on the seabed (as evidenced by fragments of shell fossils that have been found on the mountain’s summit). Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon is on the northern extent of the ‘Harlech Dome’, which is said to be Eryri/Snowdonia’s oldest physical feature. Some of the mountain’s distinctive features were produced by volcanic rocks, while many of the nearby valleys were gouged out by glaciers.

 

What should I look out for?

Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon has, in places, climatic conditions that are unique in Britain and allow plants to grow that wouldn’t survive elsewhere.  The Snowdon Lily, a relic from the ice age, is a delicate arctic-alpine plant with white flowers and grass-like leaves, grows high in the mountains of Eryri/Snowdonia. Whatever you do though, do not pick it – no you won’t turn into a frog but it is protected by law and may become extinct due to climate change and so a photo is the best way to capture it.

If you are really lucky you may spot the Snowdon Beetle. It is a small, brightly coloured beetle and is know as the Rainbow Leaf Beetle elsewhere in Europe.  It has red, gold, green and blue striped elytra. Apparently the population of the Snowdon Beetle in Eryri/Snowdonia is very low and continuing to decline, due to climate change and visitor numbers on Yr Wyddfa, so keep an eye on where you tread during your visit.

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When does the train run?

The Snowdon Mountain Railway runs from Llanberis and is meant to journey to the summit from the 1st May (weather permitting). Until then the train usually does trips part way up the mountain. You can get single tickets up and then walk down, but single tickets down are only available on a standby, first served basis at the destination station of the day (Summit or Clogwyn) and walkers should be aware that there is no guarantee of there being trains with available seats on the mountain at any given time. Therefore, if you walk up, you should bear in mind that you may have to walk down as well.

Is the cafe at Hafod Eryri Visitor Centre always open at the top?

No – is the short answer and definitely do not plan your trip to the summit based on the fact that it will be open. Hafod Eryri Visitor Centre is only open when the train is running, as this is needed to get staff and supplies there, this not only includes the cafe and shop, but the toilets too. If you do get the chance to go in the visitor centre and cafe it is well worth it. On a clear day you can see Ireland, England, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Opened in June 2009, a year later than planned due to adverse weather conditions while building, it cost £8 million to complete.

Take your rubbish home

Yr Wyddfa maybe a visitor attraction, but it is a mountain, so its natural beauty needs to be respected and protected. Not taking your rubbish home with you results in environmental damage to the fragile and beautiful surroundings of Yr Wyddfa. Every year huge amounts of rubbish left by inconsiderate visitors is cleared by volunteers, braving the weather and often inhospitable conditions to try and make sure Yr Wyddfa’s environment is not impacted too greatly, but this is not something that should happen if everyone did their bit and took their rubbish home. If you bring it with you, why can’t you take it home? Eryri/Snowdonia National Park has become part of the national Plastic Free initiative to encourage people to ditch the single use plastic and use refillable options, especially water bottles. As a local business we are part of this initiative too, so if you don’t have a refillable water bottle we can provide you with one!

How far is Snowdon from Aberconwy House?

Betws-y-Coed is known as the gateway to Eryri/Snowdonia and centrally placed to access all there is to offer within the National Park. Yr Wyddfa is only 30 minutes by car to most of the popular routes. It is worth noting, as mentioned above, that the Pen Y Pass Car Park now needs to be booked in advance, but there is a Park and Ride at Nant Peris just down the road, which runs regularly. Of course you can get the S1 Sherpa’rWyddfa bus from Betws-y-Coed too.

Want to achieve something? Want to climb a mountain? Now you know the facts and the information to hand, what are you waiting for? Come and climb the highest mountain in England and Wales.

Oh, and come and recover at Aberconwy House of course!

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