| At 3560 feet or 1085 metres Yr Wyddfa - | | | | Llydaw so if you want easy access to spectacular |
| better known as Snowdon - is the highest | | | | views of Snowdon's rugged east face then this is |
| mountain in Wales and one of the most popular | | | | a rewarding but easy walk. Beyond the lake |
| hikes in Snowdonia. Many people simply take the | | | | though, it steepens to the mountain tarn of |
| mountain railway to the summit and some of | | | | Glaslyn before climbing very rough slopes to rejoin |
| those walk down but the hike to the summit is | | | | the Pyg Track. The upper sections of both routes |
| definitely more rewarding than the use of steam | | | | climb a series of stone steps to a col between |
| power! I have listed a choice of the best walking | | | | snowdon and Crib y Ddysgl before joining the |
| routes here. | | | | route from Llanberis up to the summit on the left. |
| The path from Llanberis is the easiest, there being | | | | I'll mention the Crib Goch route here as well. It |
| a wide track all the way and no overly steep or | | | | branches off the Pyg Track near where it |
| rough ground. The way is long though - 5 miles | | | | crosses a small ridge above Pen y Pass. The |
| each way - and will always be busy in holiday | | | | route ascends the steep slopes of Crib Goch - |
| periods. This route roughly follows the railway | | | | the prominent pointed peak directly above Pen y |
| track up the western side of the mountain and | | | | Pass - before crossing a narrow and exposed |
| you will encounter a large number of people | | | | arete followed by steep scrambles up over Crib y |
| walking down who have caught the train to the | | | | Ddysgl to join the previous routes. This route is |
| summit. You would be justified in a certain | | | | only for experienced walkers who have a head |
| amount of smugness as you pass them! Good | | | | for heights! Either way it can be dangerous in |
| luck to them though - the train is a great ride. | | | | strong winds or icy conditions. |
| If you drive along the A 4086 towards Betws y | | | | Now we'll head to the south side of the mountain |
| Coed, you will go through the spectacular Pass of | | | | and 3 much quieter routes; From Bethania just |
| Llanberis up to Pen y Pass at 1170 feet. This is | | | | south of Llyn Gwynant on the A498 the Watkin |
| the nearest point of access from the road to the | | | | Path climbs past waterfalls into Cwm Llan before |
| summit and several routes leave from here. | | | | making a steep and winding ascent of Snowdon. |
| There is a charge for parking and there's often no | | | | The path is steep in its upper reaches but is |
| room at busy times. The bus which circles the | | | | without undue difficulty. |
| mountain in summer - check local tourist | | | | On past Beddgelert on the A4085 and the Rhyd |
| information for times - stops here and will save | | | | Ddu Path leads from an idyllic valley up through |
| the frustration of not being able to park as well | | | | some wild looking country before ascending the |
| as allow you to admire the views on the way up. | | | | ridge called Bwlch Main to the summit. If you |
| From Pen y Pass the other 2 popular routes | | | | follow the crest there's slight exposure here but |
| begin. The Pyg Track leaves in roughly a westerly | | | | it's nothing like Crib Goch and you can keep to the |
| direction from the car park and the Miners Track | | | | path just below it. The other route from this side |
| through the gate at the southern side. These | | | | is the Snowdon Ranger Path which leaves from |
| tracks meet up about half way to the summit so | | | | just behind the Snowdon Ranger Youth Hostel |
| it's only their early stages that differ. The Pyg | | | | just down the valley from Rhyd Ddu. This is again |
| Track is the most direct path to Snowdon and | | | | a quiet way to climb Snowdon, leading through |
| much rougher, gaining height all the way, while the | | | | open country before ascending a broad ridge to |
| Miners Track is a wide track which meanders past | | | | the summit. My own favorite is to go up the |
| the mountain lake Llyn Llydaw, which is itself | | | | Rhyd Ddu path and down the Snowdon Ranger. |
| hidden from Pen y Pass. I have pushed a child's | | | | That way you will avoid the crowds almost all the |
| buggy along the Miners Track as far as Llyn | | | | way and see some of the best scenery in Wales. |