Llwybr Pyg
Pyg Track
The shortest route — rocky, rewarding, and spectacular
Introduction
The Pyg Track is the shortest route to the summit of Yr Wyddfa and offers some of the mountain's most dramatic scenery. Starting from Pen y Pass at 359 metres — the highest car park of any Snowdon route — it traverses a rocky, rugged path with excellent views over the Glyderau and the corries below. It is not the easiest route despite its brevity; the rocky terrain and steep zigzag section near the summit demand experience and proper footwear.
Route overview
The route starts at Pen y Pass car park and immediately climbs steeply to Bwlch y Moch (Pass of the Pigs), where the path to Crib Goch — a much more serious, scrambling route — branches off. The Pyg Track continues southwest along a clearly defined but rocky ridge path with increasingly impressive views down to Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw. It joins the Miners' Track below the summit crags before a steep zigzag ascent to Bwlch Glas, then follows the ridge path south to the summit.
- Start point
- Pen y Pass car park (LL55 4NY, SH 647 557) at 359 m
- End point
- Yr Wyddfa summit / Hafod Eryri visitor centre (1,085 m)
- Ascent profile
- Steep initial climb to Bwlch y Moch, followed by a traverse at moderate gradient, then a steep engineered zigzag ascent to the summit ridge. More sustained rock underfoot than the Llanberis Path throughout.
- Route type
- out and back
Terrain and navigation
Terrain: Rocky throughout. The path is clear but requires confident footwork on uneven stone surfaces. Walking boots with good ankle support and grip are not optional on this route. The zigzag section near the summit is steep with loose stone in places.
Navigation: Clear and well-trodden, but the junction at Bwlch y Moch requires attention: do not follow the path northeast towards Crib Goch unless you are an experienced mountaineer equipped for Grade 1 scrambling. In cloud, care is needed at Bwlch Glas where several routes converge.
Route landmarks in order
- 1Pen y Pass car park — trailhead (359 m)
- 2Bwlch y Moch — junction where the Crib Goch path branches off
- 3Glaslyn viewpoint — the first sight of the lake far below
- 4Junction with Miners' Track below summit crags
- 5Zig-zag section — steep engineered steps to the ridge
- 6Bwlch Glas — junction with Llanberis Path and Snowdon Ranger Path
- 7Summit and Hafod Eryri
Steep or exposed sections
- The zigzag ascent below Bwlch Glas — steep with loose stone
- The ridge from Bwlch Glas to the summit — exposed to wind
- The junction at Bwlch y Moch — Crib Goch path branches here and is a serious, expert-only scrambling route
Scenery and photography
The view from Bwlch y Moch down to Llyn Llydaw and the Horseshoe is one of Snowdon's signature panoramas. The route passes high above Glaslyn with its distinctive blue-green copper-stained water. On clear days the summit view extends to the Pembrokeshire coast, the Lleyn Peninsula, and across to Ireland.
Dramatic, varied, and rewarding. The Pyg Track has a strong visual identity — prominent ridgeline views, the first glimpse of Glaslyn from Bwlch y Moch, and the sense of genuine mountain terrain throughout.
Photography notes
Outstanding views emerge early — the first view of the Horseshoe from Bwlch y Moch is a classic Snowdon composition. Glaslyn far below the summit crags is particularly photogenic in morning light. The route is well-positioned for shooting Crib Goch from a safe, accessible vantage point.
Who this route suits
Suited for
- Experienced walkers comfortable on rocky mountain terrain
- Those seeking the most dramatic scenery without a scramble
- Walkers happy to use Pen y Pass and the Sherpa bus
- Those wanting to combine with the Miners' Track for a circular route
Not suited for
- First-time mountain walkers
- Those without walking boots with good ankle support and grip
- Families with young children
- Winter walkers without ice axe and crampon competency
Advantages
- The shortest route to the summit
- The most dramatic ridge scenery of any non-scrambling route
- First-class views from early in the ascent
- Starts at the highest car park (Pen y Pass) — less elevation to gain than Llanberis Path
- Can be combined with the Miners' Track for a circular walk
- Well-defined path throughout
Considerations
- Rocky terrain demands confident footwork and good footwear throughout
- Pen y Pass car park requires advance booking and is expensive; often full
- Not recommended for beginners or those without experience on rocky mountain paths
- Can still be busy on peak days despite being harder than the Llanberis Path
Seasonal considerations
At its best in summer with good visibility. In winter the rocky terrain becomes ice-covered and extremely hazardous — the zigzag section in particular requires full winter mountaineering equipment. In wet summer conditions the rocky surfaces become slippery and extra care is required on the descent.
Preparation advice
- Book Pen y Pass parking well in advance on weekends (via JustPark); or arrive by Sherpa bus
- Wear boots with excellent ankle support and grip — this is not a trail-shoe route
- Carry a map and know the route well enough to identify Bwlch y Moch correctly
- Check the mountain weather forecast the evening before and morning of your walk
- Plan the return route in advance — the Miners' Track circular option adds variety
Common mistakes to avoid
- Following the Crib Goch path at Bwlch y Moch — an easy mistake when the path branches and a potentially fatal one without scrambling experience
- Attempting in trail shoes or trainers — the rocky terrain makes ankle-supporting boots essential
- Underestimating descent time — the rocky terrain is harder on tired legs going down
- Not booking Pen y Pass parking in advance on weekends — it fills very early
Safety warnings
- The Crib Goch path branches off at Bwlch y Moch. Crib Goch is a serious Grade 1 scrambling route requiring mountaineering experience. Do not follow it unless you know exactly what you are doing.
- In winter the rocky surfaces on the Pyg Track become iced and extremely dangerous. Full winter mountaineering equipment — ice axe and crampons — is required.
- Descending in poor visibility requires careful navigation at Bwlch Glas to ensure you take the correct path.
Getting there — transport and parking
- Nearest car park
- Pen y Pass (LL55 4NY)
- Postcode
- LL55 4NY
Pen y Pass is the highest of Snowdon's car parks and serves both the Pyg Track and the Miners' Track. It is small (~100 spaces), expensive, and requires advance online booking on weekends and bank holidays from March through November.
Sherpa’r Wyddfa services
- S1 (Caernarfon–Llanberis–Pen y Pass–Betws-y-Coed)
- S5 (Nant Peris P&R shuttle to Pen y Pass, weekends)
Rail access: No direct rail. Sherpa bus S1 connects from Betws-y-Coed (Conwy Valley line) and Llanberis.
Using the Sherpa bus to Pen y Pass eliminates parking pressure. The Nant Peris Park & Ride (S5 shuttle) provides an affordable alternative to Pen y Pass parking.
Nearby facilities
- Pen y Pass YHA: café and bar open to public 07:30–22:00, toilets, information
- No facilities on the route itself between Pen y Pass and Hafod Eryri
- Hafod Eryri (summit): café, toilets, gift shop — open May to October, weather permitting
Alternative routes
Pyg Track — frequently asked questions
Finish planning this route
Ready to plan your day?
Step-by-step day plan for the Pyg Track — timing, parking, turnaround logic, and what to expect.