Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
nected by buses and trains to accommodation in Caernarfon, Beddgelert and Porthmadog. Finally, and perhaps
most importantly, this is the quietest route.
The original 'Snowdon Ranger' was an English mountain guide who built an inn on the site of the current
YHA in the early 1800s, and led guests to the summit along this track. The path climbs gently along the lower
slopes of
Moel Cynghorion
to
Bwlch Cwm Brwynog
, before it steepens and heads above
Clog-
wyn Du'r Arddu
. Eventually it draws parallel with the Snowdon Mountain Railway. The path crosses the tracks
at a
standing stone
, turns right, and merges with the Llanberis Path for the final approach to the
summit
.
When you're ready to descend, pick up the Rhyd Ddu Path below the
Hafod Eryri
visitor centre. After
200m a
standing stone
marks the point where the Watkin Path veers off; continue straight ahead. The next
section, along
Bwlch Main
(meaning 'Slender Path') is a narrow track with steep slopes on either side: if
there's ice and snow, this is the dangerous bit. Near the end of this stretch the path splits into two; keep on the
right-hand track. From here the path broadens as it zigzags down and then edges along the
Llechog ridge
. It
starts to flatten out after it passes the
ruins
of an old refreshment hut. The final stretch continues alongside
the abandoned
Ffridd Slate Quarry
before terminating near the Rhyd Ddu train station.
Activities
Snowdon Trails
Six paths of varying length and difficulty lead to the summit, all taking around six hours
return. Just because Snowdon has a train station and a cafe on its summit, doesn't mean
you should underestimate it. No route is completely safe, especially in winter. People reg-
ularly come unstuck here and many have died over the years, including experienced
climbers.
The most straightforward route to the summit is the
Llanberis Path
(9 miles return) run-
ning beside the train line. The two paths starting from Pen-y-Pass require the least amount
of ascent but are nevertheless tougher walks: the
Miner's Track
(8 miles return) starts off
wide and gentle but gets steep beyond Llyn Llydaw; and the more interesting
Pyg Track
(7
miles return) is more rugged still.
Two tracks start from the Caernarfon-Beddgelert road (A4085): the
Snowdon Ranger Path
(8 miles return) is the safest route in winter, while the
Rhyd Ddu Path
(8 miles return) is the
least-used route and boasts spectacular views. The most challenging route is the
Watkin Path
(8 miles return), involving an ascent of more than 1000m on its southerly approach from
Nantgwynant, and finishing with a scramble across a steep-sided scree-covered slope.
The classic
Snowdon Horseshoe
(7.5 miles, six to seven hours) branches off from the Pyg
Track to follow the precipitous ridge of Crib Goch (one of the most dangerous routes on
HIKING
