Yr Wyddfa · Six paths to the summit
Choose your route
There are six main walking routes to the summit of Snowdon / Yr Wyddfa. Each has a different character, starting point, distance, and difficulty. All are graded Hard or Strenuous by Eryri National Park Authority — none should be treated lightly.
Llanberis PathLlwybr Llanberis
The most popular route — longest but most gradual
- Distance
- 14.5 km
- Duration
- 6–7h
- Start
- Royal Victoria Hotel / Llanberis village car parks
Pyg TrackLlwybr Pyg
The shortest route — rocky, rewarding, and spectacular
- Distance
- 11 km
- Duration
- 5–6h
- Start
- Pen y Pass (LL55 4NY)
Miners' TrackLlwybr y Mwynwyr
A gentle lakeside start, a dramatic copper-mining history
- Distance
- 13 km
- Duration
- 5–6h
- Start
- Pen y Pass (LL55 4NY)
Watkin PathLlwybr Watkin
The hardest of the six — the most elevation gain, the most history
- Distance
- 13 km
- Duration
- 6–7h
- Start
- Pont Bethania
Rhyd Ddu PathLlwybr Rhyd Ddu
The quietest route — with an exposed ridge that demands respect
- Distance
- 12 km
- Duration
- 6–7h
- Start
- Rhyd Ddu village car park (LL54 6TN)
Snowdon Ranger PathLlwybr Cwellyn
The oldest route — no scrambling, no exposed ridges, less-travelled
- Distance
- 13 km
- Duration
- 5–6.5h
- Start
- Llyn Cwellyn car park (LL54 7YS)
Not sure which route to choose?
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Best for beginners: Llanberis Path — the most gradual and clearest route. Full guide →
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Shortest route: Pyg Track — 11 km and starts at a higher elevation. Full guide →
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Best for views: Pyg Track — dramatic panoramas from early in the ascent. Full guide →
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Quietest route: Rhyd Ddu Path — far fewer walkers than the eastern routes. Full guide →
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Best with history: Watkin Path — Gladstone Rock, WWII ruins, and copper mining. Full guide →
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Car-free access: Snowdon Ranger Path — Welsh Highland Railway halt at trailhead. Full guide →