Contents
Overview
Snowdon rises above the villages and lakes of Snowdonia as the highest mountain in Wales, and for centuries it has been a place people have felt drawn to. The Llanberis Path follows the most gradual line to the summit, giving time to absorb the scale of the mountain as it unfolds along a route used by generations of walkers. The hike begins in Llanberis, where the path leaves the village behind and climbs steadily past slate cottages, old quarry ground and open hillside. As height is gained, Llyn Padarn stretches out below. The landscape broadens, becoming an expanse of exposed hillside broken by rocky outcrops and the occasional, rhythmic passing of the mountain railway, which runs close to the path for long sections of the ascent.
At 1085 metres, the summit of Snowdon offers wide views across Snowdonia and out toward the Irish Sea, with the scale of the landscape becoming fully apparent on clear days. The summit buildings and trig point mark the end of a long climb. From the top, the route follows the same path back to Llanberis, which allows landmarks and views to be seen from a different perspective, with the lake gradually returning into view as the path drops away.
Hiking TaleOur Everest: A Snowdon StoryRead an epic tale about the first time I reached the summit of Snowdon
Go prepared, stay safe,
and enjoy the hike!
Key Info
Crowds
Very High
Snowdon is one of the busiest mountains in Britain, with nearly 600,000 walkers a year, and the Llanberis Path is its single busiest route. On summer Saturdays there can be a wait of up to an hour to reach the summit pillar. Timing is everything here: the top is busiest from late morning to early afternoon, so going early or late makes a big difference.
When it gets busy
- July and August, the busiest months by far
- Saturdays, followed by Sundays, and bank holiday weekends
- The summit between about 11.30AM and 2PM
- The steps up to the summit pillar, where queues of up to an hour can form around midday
- The whole Llanberis Path, which carries more walkers than any other route up
For a quieter walk
- Reach the summit by mid-morning, or plan to arrive after the early afternoon rush has passed
- Go midweek: Friday was the quietest day on the Llanberis Path counter in 2021
- Visit early or late in the season rather than in July and August
- On a bank holiday weekend, pick the Monday, consistently the quietest of the three days
- Skip the pillar queue: you can touch its concrete base from behind, which is the true summit
- Start in the afternoon so you climb against the flow as people come down (general advice, allow plenty of daylight and carry a head torch)
Our crowd rating is for a typical sunny weekend in spring or summer, in the middle of the day. Timing makes a big difference, so even a busy walk can be quiet early, late or midweek.
The Route
Disclaimer: Route information and GPX files are provided for general guidance only. Conditions can change, so always use your own judgement and navigate responsibly. See our Terms of Use & Disclaimer for more information.
Route Guide
- 1
Up the lane to Pen-y-Ceunant1.1 mi · 190m upFrom the car park, walk south-west along the main road to the Royal Victoria Hotel and turn up Victoria Terrace opposite. The lane climbs very steeply, first south and then south-east, past the Pen-y-Ceunant Isaf tea rooms, and shortly afterwards you leave the road on the left where the path is signed for the Llanberis Path.
- 2
Beside the railway1.2 mi · 190m upThe path settles into a steady climb south-east, with the mountain railway close by on your right. After passing under a railway bridge, the line runs on your left and you soon reach the Halfway House café, which opens in the summer season.
- 3
Allt Moses to Clogwyn1.2 mi · 300m upBeyond the café the path becomes steeper and rougher as it climbs the stepped slope known as Allt Moses. At the top you pass under the railway again near Clogwyn station, where the view opens out over the Llanberis Pass.
- 4
Up to Bwlch Glas0.7 mi · 200m upThe path now runs high above Cwm Glas Bach before climbing steeply up the slopes of Garnedd Ugain, so keep to the path and off the railway tracks. It eases as you reach Bwlch Glas, marked by a tall standing stone where the Pyg Track and Miners' Track join, with the Snowdon Ranger Path coming in from the right across the railway.
- 5
To the summit0.4 mi · 80m upStay on the main path beside the railway for the final third of a mile to the summit of Snowdon at 1085 m, with Llyn Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw below on your left.
- 6
Down to Bwlch Glas0.5 mi · 10m up · 90m downHead back north the same way, keeping close to the railway down to the standing stone at Bwlch Glas. This is the junction to get right: take the central path, not the zig-zag down to the Pyg and Miners' tracks, not the Snowdon Ranger Path to the left, and not the path forking right over Garnedd Ugain towards Crib Goch.
- 7
Back to Llanberis4.2 mi · 880m downFollow the Llanberis Path back down past Clogwyn, Allt Moses and the Halfway House. Where the path meets the lane, turn right and follow it steeply down to Victoria Terrace and back along the main road to the car park.
Use the route on OS Maps, AllTrails or Komoot to navigate on the day; this guide is for planning.
Parking
The hike starts at the "Parking for Snowdon" pay & display car park (LL55 4TD), the largest in Llanberis and the closest to the start of the Llanberis Path. It's open 6AM to 11PM and costs £14 if you arrive before 3PM or £8 after 3PM, payable by card, cash or phone; check the latest prices here. There are 200 spaces and I've never had to wait for one, and there are more car parks close by below. For public transport, click "Directions" and choose public transport (the little train icon).
Alternative Parking
Facilities & Hospitality
Llanberis has public toilets near the lake, at Maes Padarn and at Y Glyn, and the nearest to the path are at the Snowdon Mountain Railway station. Free public Wi-Fi covers the high street.
Handily located right by the Parking for Snowdon car park. Its Eryri Bar and Lounge serves typical British gastropub food, along with a large selection of alcohol; perfect for the weary traveller.
About 8 minutes after passing the cattle grid, you will reach this quaint cafe, which serves food and drinks and has a toilet for customers when it's open.
Roughly halfway between Llanberis and the summit, this cafe sells refreshments in season, usually from Easter. It no longer has a public toilet, and it's only open seasonally, so don't depend on it.
Located near the summit of Snowdon, Hafod Eryri is the highest visitor centre in Wales. It has toilets, a gift shop and the Summit Café, which sells drinks and snacks, from warming Welsh pasties to freshly baked cakes. It's usually open from 10AM daily from late April or May to late October (weather permitting) and closes 20 minutes before the last train leaves the summit. It stays shut on bad weather days when the train can't reach the top.
More places to eat and stay in Llanberis: restaurants, hotels on Tripadvisor and Expedia.
Weather
Hike Videos
Note: Videos are made by other walkers, not The Lost Peak. They may not follow this exact route, and paths, conditions and facilities may have changed since filming.
Photo Gallery
Photos
Photo credits
Photos without a credit are our own. These are used under Creative Commons licences; thank you to the photographers.
Looking down the Llanberis Path above Clogwynby Gareth James, Wikimedia Commons (Geograph)Original photoCC BY-SA 2.0 licence
Looking down the Llanberis Path above Clogwynby Gareth James, Wikimedia Commons (Geograph)Original photoCC BY-SA 2.0 licence
Clogwyn Station with steam trainby Denis Egan, Wikimedia Commons (Flickr)Original photoCC BY 2.0 licence
Descending Llanberis path from Snowdonby Chris Morgan, Wikimedia Commons (Geograph)Original photoCC BY-SA 2.0 licence
Hints & Tips
Be Mindful of the Train
The Snowdon Mountain Railway runs along the Llanberis Path so be sure to stay clear of the tracks when the train is passing.
Avoid the Crowds
If you're confident navigating in bad weather or when it's dark, you can avoid some of the crowds by starting the hike later on in the day during winter months (please don't attempt this unless you're experienced with this type of hike and have the correct equipment). Also, hiking earlier in the week will be quieter than on the weekend.
Steep Start
The road out of Llanberis up to the Pen-y-Ceunant tea house is one of the steepest parts of the whole walk. Take it steady, it eases off after the tea house.
Allt Moses
The hardest climb comes after the Halfway House café: a rough, stepped section of just over half a mile that gains over 250 m. It can be slippery coming down in the wet.
Halfway House Café
Open seasonally from around Easter, the café sits just before Allt Moses, making it the best place to stop before the hardest section.
Bwlch Glas Standing Stone
On the way down, keep to the middle path at the big standing stone. The left fork drops down the Snowdon Ranger Path and the right heads towards Crib Goch, and it's easy to get wrong in mist.
Winter Above Clogwyn
In snow, the wide path above Clogwyn disappears onto a steep slope known locally as "Killer Convex", one of the most serious spots on the mountain in winter.
Interesting Facts
General
The Name
The name "Snowdon" is derived from the Old English "snaw dun," which means "snow hill." It's a fitting name, as Snowdon is often capped with snow in the winter months.
Highest in Wales
Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales, reaching an elevation of 1,085 metres above sea level, and its summit is called Yr Wyddfa. Its neighbouring tops include Crib Goch, Garnedd Ugain (also called Crib y Ddysgl) and Y Lliwedd.
Six Paths
There are multiple hiking trails leading to the summit of Snowdon, catering to a range of fitness levels and preferences. The trails are the Llanberis Path, Pyg Track, Miners' Track, Watkin Path, Rhyd-Ddu Path, and the Snowdon Ranger Path.
The Mountain Railway
If you prefer a more leisurely ascent up the mountain, Snowdon has a train that offers a scenic ride to the summit.
Rare Wildlife
The area surrounding Snowdon is home to a variety of rare plant and animal species, including the Snowdon lily, which is a protected species.
Ancient Rock
The geology of Snowdon is mostly volcanic rock laid down around 450 million years ago, and fossil sea shells can still be found close to the summit.
King Arthur & the Giant Rhitta
In the annals of Arthurian legend, Snowdon's connection runs deep, for the mountain was the backdrop for a legendary clash between Arthur and Rhitta, a colossal giant whose audacious deeds had terrorized the land. Rhitta was a fearsome creature, renowned for his cruelty, brutality, and grotesque cape fashioned from the beards of his fallen foes.
When news of Rhitta's misdeeds reached the ears of King Arthur, the valiant monarch felt compelled to confront this monstrous adversary. With unshakable determination, he ascended Snowdon to face the giant and rid the land of this scourge. The ensuing battle was the stuff of legend, a titanic struggle that shook the very foundations of the mountain itself. Yet, in the end, Arthur's valor and might prevailed, and he emerged victorious, vanquishing the giant and ending his reign of terror once and for all. In a gesture of respect for his fallen adversary, Arthur ordered his men to lay Rhitta's lifeless form to rest atop the summit of Snowdon, covering the giant's corpse with enormous stones, a burial mound befitting of such a formidable foe.
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