Trip Suitability

You need to have a good level of basic fitness and some experience of walking with a rucksack in hiking boots. You will be walking through mountainous environments on uneven and steep terrain that will be challenging at times. This is a group trip and we aim for participants to enjoy it as much as possible, for that reason we recommend you undertake some challenge-specific training before the challenge, details of which will be included in the Joining Instructions.

Anything cardiovascular will help (walking, cycling, swimming, running, gym), but we also recommend you have practice tackling some hills whilst wearing the boots and rucksack you’ll be using on the mountain. Importantly you need to do some longer (2+ hour) walks so you will know what is required. We cannot control the weather so don’t forget to bring your sense of humour on the hill! The more you train, the more you’ll enjoy this incredible hiking challenge!

For a more detailed training plan, please get in touch.

Itinerary

Whilst each day on the mountain is different according to the weather, group fitness, the chosen route and start/finish points, here’s a typical itinerary for the day:

08:00 Meet your More Adventure leader(s) at the meeting point outlined in your Joining Instructions for a safety briefing and kit check. Catch a bus/taxi to your hike start point (if required).

09:00 Begin your hike up Snowdon!

12:00 – 13:00 Reach the summit of the highest mountain in Wales – the mighty summit of Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon!

13:30 Depart from the summit

16:00 – 17:00 Arrive back safely for a celebratory drink – congratulations, you made it!

 

Routes

There are several hiking routes up and down Snowdon, each with their own unique flavour. The distances and height gain below are for one way only, but it is possible to hike up one route and down another if you’d prefer (this may however require additional logistics). During certain months of the year it’s also possible to return to Llanberis by train on the mountain railway. At the beginning of each route you’ll be met by your More Adventure leader and will receive a safety brief, kit check, and overview of the day. 

Here are four of our most popular routes!

Route 1: The Pyg Track

5.2km & 723m⇧

This route begins at Pen-y-Pas car park at the head of Llanberis Pass. The Pyg Track is one of the most popular routes up Snowdon and is certainly one of the most direct. It is thought to be named from either the pass it crosses, Bwlch y Moch (Pig’s Pass), or due to the pyg (tar) that was transported along it to use in the copper mines of the mountain.

Starting at Pen-y-Pas car park, this fabulous route begins by heading west along a well-formed rocky path to Bwlch y Moch. From here it continues down towards Llyn Llydaw to the south of Crib Goch before rising steeply up to Bwlch Glas. Here we turn south along the final summit ridge to the summit of Snowdon (1085m).

 

Route 2: The Miners Track

6.5km & 766m⇧

This route has the same elevation as the Pyg Track and also begins at Pen-y-Pas car park, but is slightly longer and the beginning less steep. As the name suggests, the Miners track provided access to various mineworks below Snowdon and passes a number of buildings and remnants of this once thriving industry along the way. 

It begins with a gentle ascent along what is essentially an unsurfaced road to cross over the causeway at Llyn Llydaw. After a gentle 500 metres skirting the northern bank of the lake, the route then steepens to Llyn Glaslyn above which you join the Pyg track for the final push to the summit.

 

Route 3: The Watkin Path

6.5km & 1000m⇧

The Watkin Path is certainly one of the most scenic of all the routes. Originally opened by Sir Edward Watkin as a tourist route for horse-drawn carriages, it features old mine ruins, waterfalls and stupendous views on a clear day. It also tends to be quieter than the Pyg and Miners track.

Starting just southwest of Nant Gwynant, the route begins  following the Afon-Cwm-Llan north into Cwm Llan. Here are the ruins of Plas-Cwm-Llan and Gladstone Rock which commemorates the opening of the path in 1892 by the Prime Minister William Gladstone. The route soon reaches Bwlch Ciliau, a saddle below Y Lliwedd from which a scree path leads to the summit of Snowdon.

 

Route 4: The Snowdon Ranger Path

6.5km & 920m⇧

The Snowdon Ranger path is probably the oldest route to the summit and is also one of the quietest. It’s a relatively straightforward ascent with some steeper sections but these are reasonably short lived. It was a popular route in the 19th century with the Victorian clients of John Morton, a local guide known locally as ‘The Snowdon Ranger’.

Starting at the Snowdon Ranger Youth Hostel on Llyn Cwellyn, the route begins with a series of zigzags just southwest of Foel Goch on a bridleway. Ascending to the lake of Llyn Ffynnon-y-gwas, the route then becomes steeper, rockier and more challenging. In the final section it crosses the shoulder of Clogwyn Du’r Arddu before merging with the Llanberis Path and railway track to the summit.

Map

Includes

• Qualified, experienced mountain leader
• Professional, friendly support and guidance before your hike begins
• Comprehensive kit list and Joining Instructions
• 1:10 mountain leader ratio
• Group safety equipment and first aid kit
• Your event photos uploaded to social media
• Event insurance
• Training plan (if required)

Not Included

• Transport to and from start and finish points
• Accommodation before or after your challenge
• Parking fees
• Personal walking kit and equipment
• Lunch and snacks

FAQs

Can we extend our stay for more mountain experiences?

Absolutely! Snowdon is not the only mountain and there are countless adventures to be had in this incredible region of the world. Let us know how long you have and we'll help in any way we can!

Can you recommend accommodation?

Yes. We work closely with a number of different accommodation providers in the area and can assist you booking somewhere.

I have a small group of people interested, can we have a private event?

Yes, please email us to find out more about our private events.

Is this challenge possible in winter?

Yes absolutely. You will need more specialist equipment but we can advise on where to hire this locally.