Pen y Pass
The mountain's highest car park — gateway to the Pyg and Miners' Tracks
Overview
Pen y Pass is not a village but a mountain pass location — the highest car park serving Snowdon, sitting at 359 metres at the eastern end of the Llanberis Pass. It is the starting point for both the Pyg Track and the Miners' Track, making it the most popular trailhead on the mountain in terms of overall footfall. The YHA Pen y Pass hostel provides the only facilities on site.
Character and atmosphere
A functional mountain trailhead rather than a destination in itself. The car park, hostel, and toilet block occupy a dramatic position at the head of the Llanberis Pass, with views up towards Crib Goch and the Snowdon Horseshoe in one direction and down the dramatic valley towards Nant Peris in the other. On peak summer mornings it is extremely busy.
Industrial-scale mountain access point during peak season. Extremely busy on summer weekends before 9am. Quiet and dramatic in autumn, winter, and on midweek visits.
Why choose this base
Staying at the YHA Pen y Pass hostel puts walkers directly at the Pyg Track and Miners' Track trailheads — a considerable logistical advantage for those targeting these routes. It is a popular destination for mountaineering and walking groups.
Best for
- ✓Walkers targeting the Pyg Track or Miners' Track
- ✓Groups and clubs using the YHA hostel as a base
- ✓Those combining a circular Pyg/Miners' Track route
Advantages
- +Directly at the start of the two shortest eastern routes
- +Highest starting elevation of any Snowdon car park — less elevation gain required
- +YHA hostel for mountain accommodation without needing to drive into Llanberis
Considerations
- —Extremely congested on peak days
- —Advance booking mandatory on busy days — often sells out
- —Very limited facilities compared to a village base
- —No mobile signal
Routes and plans from this base
Parking and transport
Car park requires advance booking on busy days (verify current booking system with Eryri NPA). Fills extremely early on summer weekends. The recommended alternative is Nant Peris Park & Ride with Sherpa S5 shuttle. Sherpa S1 bus also stops here.
Facilities
- —YHA Pen y Pass hostel: accommodation, café and bar open to non-residents 07:30–22:00 (verify current hours)
- —Public toilets (open 24 hours)
- —Information board
- —No shops, no fuel, no ATM
- —No mobile phone signal — WiFi available at YHA office
Food and drink
The YHA café provides the only food and drink available at Pen y Pass. Open to non-residents during standard hours. No other catering within walking distance. Walkers should be self-sufficient in food and water.
Nearby attractions
- →Llanberis Pass — dramatic glacial valley
- →Crib Goch — visible from the car park (a serious scrambling route, not a walk)
- →Nant Peris village (approximately 3 miles)