There are many trails up Snowdon, although the following are by far our favourite routes for reaching the summit. These are the Llanberis Path, Pyg Track and Miners' Track, the latter of the three starting from Pen-y-Pass. You can combine your routes taking advantage of the Snowdon Sherpa Bus that runs frequenty - check here for more information.

 

Our personal recommendation is to park at Pen y Pass, taking the Pyg track on the accent and the Miners' track on your decent. Of course the Llanberis track is by far the more forgiving hike to the summit. This route follows that of the Snowdon Mountain Railway, perhaps a more leisurely journey to the summit by diesel or steam train to the top of Wales.

 

Llanberis Path

 

Originally, tourists were carried up this path on ponies and mules, and to this day it continues to be a pony path. (There is a voluntary agreement with mountain bikers to keep off this path in busy times of the year.)

 

Distance: 9 miles (return)

Total Climb: 975m (3,198 ft)

Time: Approx 6 hours (return)

Start and Finish: (SH 582 598 / LL55 4TY)

Map: Explorer OL17 OS

Parking: (SH 582598 /LL55 4TY)

Sherpa Bus Stop: Llanberis Interchange

 

Pyg Track

 

There is some uncertainty about the origin of the word Pyg. It is believed that the path was named after Pen y Gwryd Hostel by climbers who stayed there. Another possible origin is that the path was named after Bwlch y Moch (the pass of pigs) since the path crosses it, as it is sometimes spelled as Pig in English. Or it could have been named Pyg due to the fact that this was a path used to carry pyg (black tar) from the Britannia Copper Works in Cwm Glaslyn. A slow and gradual climb to the summit, eventually meeting up with the Miners' track for the final hike.

 

Distance: 7 miles (return)

Total Climb: 723m (2,371 ft)

Time: Approx 6 hours (return)

Start and Finish: Pen y Pass Car Park (SH 647557 / LL55 4NY)

Map: Explorer OL17 Ordnance Survey

Sherpa Bus Stop: Pen y Pass Car Park