Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh) is quite possibly my favourite peak in the whole of the UK.
Nestled in the beautiful landscape of Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park, its officially the tallest mountain of Wales, standing at a striking 1,085 metres.
Offering a variety of splendid trails (plus a mountain railway for those who don’t fancy walking!), Snowdon is frequently hailed as the UK’s busiest peak, attracting over 500,000 ramblers each and every year.
Many of these visitors are quite new to hill-walking, which often brings up questions along the lines of:
‘Just how hard is it to climb Snowdon?’
Or…
‘How long does it take to walk up Snowdon?’
Now, as a sweeping generality, it’s sensible to assume that conquering the formidable Welsh mountain could take anywhere between 4-8 hours.
Individual finishing times fluctuate greatly on the peak since they largely boil down to three key determining factors: which route you take, what time of year you climb and how fit you are.
Let’s break it down 👇👇
Table Of Contents
Tallest mountain in Wales – Snowdon
Elevation: 1,085 metres (3,560ft)
Location: Snowdonia National Park, Gwynedd
Where is Snowdon?
Snowdon is situated in Snowdonia National Park on the north-west coast of Wales, home to some of the most picturesque countryside in the UK.
A common holiday destination, Snowdon is conveniently located near the scenic isle of Anglesey (of which you can read all about here).
The peak of Snowdon also neighbours the elusive Snowdonia Infinity Pool; a highly secret spot nestled in the hills above the Llanberis Pass…
How hard is it to climb Snowdon?
Now, hill walking is a very subjective experience – what’s easy for one rambler may be gruelling for another!
Nevertheless, providing you’re relatively fit and have no health conditions, climbing Snowdon is most certainly achievable for those who’ve prepared accordingly and possess the determination to reach the summit 💪
For hill-climbing novices or first timers, we’d definitely recommend the Llanberis Path, which is universally agreed as the most forgiving trail up the peak (more on different mountain paths below).
How long does it take to climb Snowdon?
As a general overview and dependent on which route you take, it’s reasonable to assume that hiking Snowdon could take anywhere between 4-8 hours to complete.
The easiest and most popular trail – the Llanberis Path – is a steady walk to the summit which can have you up and down in around 4-6 hours when walking at a decent pace.
It’ll definitely provide a challenge, but the gradual ascent to the trig point make it Snowdon’s most beginner-friendly mountain path by far.
Nonetheless, always bear in mind that hill walking is not a race. Don’t be afraid to factor in time for breaks!
For experienced hikers and more daring types, you may decide to tackle advanced trails such as Watkin Path or Crib Goch – both of which involve some pretty precarious scrambling and can potentially add several hours to your walking time.
For a more detailed and personalised estimation on mountain hiking times, also be sure to check out Naismith’s rule.
Snowdon Routes – Ranked from easiest to hardest
While there are 6 recommended trails up Snowdon, there are also several other ways up the peak. Here are some of our favourite routes ranked in order of difficulty:
7) Lllanberis Path
Distance: 9 miles (14.5 km)
Start Point: Parking For Snowdon, Llanberis, Caernarfon LL55 4TU
Summary: While actually covering the most distance on our list, the gradual incline guiding you up to the summit of Snowdon is the most forgiving, making the Llanberis Path the number one recommendation for newbies on the mountain.
6) The Miners’ Track
Distance: 8 miles (13 km)
Start Point: Pen-y-Pass Car Park, off the A4086 (SH 647 557)
Summary: Likewise, the Miners’ Track starts as a relatively steady hike, later ramping up in difficulty towards the top where the path gets somewhat steeper and harder to navigate.
5) Snowdon Ranger Path
Distance: 8 miles (13 km)
Start Point: Llyn Cwellyn Car Park, off the A4085. (SH 564 551)
Summary: One of the oldest routes up Snowdown. The zig-zagging path has your legs burning from the get go, easing off only until you reach the second half of the climb which involves a sharp ascent all the way up to the peak.
4) Pyg Track
Distance: 7 miles (11 km)
Start Point: Pen-y-Pass Car Park, off the A4086 (SH 647 557)
Summary: Despite being one of the shortest routes up Snowdon and involving the least amount of ascent, the Pyg Track is certainly far from the easiest. The steep ascent is made more difficult due to the trail being particularly rocky in places, joining the Miners’ Track shortly before reaching the summit.
3) Rhyd Ddu Path
Distance: 8.5 miles (12 km)
Start Point: Rhyd Ddu Car Park, off the A4085 (SH 571 526)
Summary: Known as the quietest route up Snowdon, the Rhyd Ddu Path is a good step up from the Pyg Track. While it’s no more difficult than the Pyg Track, the narrow ridge of Bwlch Main is rather exposed, which could prove a challenge for those not great with heights.
2) WATKIN PATH
Distance: 8 miles (13 km)
Start Point: Pont Bethania Car park, Nant Gwynant, off the A498 (SH 627 507)
Summary: Universally agreed as one of the toughest trails up the peak, the Watkin Path totals the most ascent of all the routes. The final scramble segment requires a particularly good head for heights, as you’ll have to pull yourself up the eroded and exposed mountaintop.
1) Crib Goch
Distance: 6 miles (9.8 km)
Start Point: Pen-y-Pass Car Park, off the A4086 (SH 647 557)
Summary: Involving one of the most infamous grade 1 scramble segments in all of Britain, climbing Snowdon via Crib Goch is bound to have your knees buckling! Clambering along the stickleback ridge, this exposed trail is as thrilling as it is demanding, all while providing unmatched views of the Welsh countryside below.
Table – Distances of Snowdon trails
Snowdon Trail | Distance | Starting Point |
Lllanberis Path | 9 miles (14.5 km) | Parking For Snowdon, Llanberis, Caernarfon LL55 4TU |
The Miners’ Track | 8 miles (13 km) | Pen-y-Pass Car Park, off the A4086 (SH 647 557) |
Snowdon Ranger Path | 8 miles (13 km) | Llyn Cwellyn Car Park, off the A4085. (SH 564 551) |
Pyg Track | 7 miles (11 km) | Pen-y-Pass Car Park, off the A4086 (SH 647 557) |
Rhyd Ddu Path | 8.5 miles (12 km) | Rhyd Ddu Car Park, off the A4085 (SH 571 526) |
Watkin Path | 8 miles (13 km) | Pont Bethania Car park, Nant Gwynant, off the A498 (SH 627 507) |
Crib Goch | 6 miles (9.8 km) | Pen-y-Pass Car Park, off the A4086 (SH 647 557) |
Snowdon in winter
How difficult and how long it takes to climb Snowdon also depends largely on the weather.
Needless to say that summiting on a dry and clear day is going to prove much easier than hiking after heavy snowfall.
Rain and cloud can also prove trickier, affecting visibility and making the rocky footpaths slippery. This is why a good pair of walking boots are essential to aid with grip and ankle stability.
It’s not recommended that novices attempt Snowdon in the snow, and even experienced hikers will require all the necessary gear if they wish to reach the summit.
This includes specialist equipment such as a pick axe and crampons – not something the average hiker has lying around!
Snowdon as part of the Three Peaks Challenge
For some ramblers, Snowdon may actually be the third mountain they’re required to summit in the space of just 24 hours.
The National Three Peaks Challenge consists of climbing the three highest mountains in the UK:
Ben Nevis – Scotland (1,344m)
Scafell Pike – England (978m)
Snowdon – Wales (1,085m)
Safe to say if you’re ascending Snowdon after already having completed Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike; this final climb will prove pretty arduous!
Here’s a short snippet of us feeling triumphant after finally reaching the summit of Snowdon during our Three Peaks Challenge:
Guidelines for climbing Snowdon
As with hiking any peak, preparation is key. The ascent up Snowdon can be long and weather on the mountain is often unpredictable. Be sure to:
Bring the correct footwear & clothing – waterproofs, extra layers for warmth and walking boots for ankle support are all essential
Pack the right equipment – A first aid kit, compass, map and a torch are always handy. Phones are also great, but signal can be hit-or-miss on the peak.
Plenty of snacks and water – Ensure you stay hydrated and bring some food to keep your energy levels replenished. Also remember to bring more fluids on hotter days since you’ll sweat considerably more. For more info, feel free to head on over to our ’10 Best Hiking Snacks To Fuel Your Next Adventure’ post.
Walk with a friend and/or tell someone your plans – It’s always safer climbing with a pal. If you’re climbing solo however, keep someone informed on your hiking plans.
Check the weather forecast – if the weather isn’t looking safe, don’t push on. Come again another day. The weather conditions at the summit can get especially ferocious.
Keep safe and happy walking 🚶🚶
A brief history of Snowdon
Astonishingly, over 500 million years ago Snowdon was actually on the seabed – proven by shell fossils discovered on the peak’s summit!
While geological evidence indicates Snowdonia’s distinctive landscape was the result of volcanic and glacial activity over many years, folklore claims that Snowdon’s peak was actually created by the legendary King Arthur.
The Welsh name for Snowdon is ‘Yr Wyddfa’, which roughly translates to ‘The Great Tomb’.
It’s fabled that mount Snowdon was resident to the fearsome giant Rhitta Gawr; notorious for killing men and crafting cloaks with their beards.
Arthur defeated the ogre in a vicious battle at the top of Snowdon. Before returning home, the king and his men fashioned a tomb for the giant by piling rocks over the beast’s corpse; forming the boulders we see at the peak of Snowdon to this day.