Scaling the Summit: A Guide to the Different Routes up Snowdon
Yr Wyddfa - Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales and the highest point in the British Isles outside of the Scottish Highlands. It is a popular destination for hikers and climbers, attracting over half a million visitors each year. There are six main routes up Yr Wyddfa, each offering a unique experience and level of difficulty.
The Llanberis Path is the longest and most gradual of the six routes up Snowdon, making it the most popular route for beginners and families. It starts in the town of Llanberis and follows a well-maintained track that winds its way up the mountain. Along the way, hikers can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding countryside, including the lakes of Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris. The Llanberis Path is also the only route that has a café at the summit, offering a welcome break before the descent.
The Snowdon Ranger Path starts in the village of Rhyd Ddu and is one of the quieter routes up Snowdon. It offers a more challenging hike than the Llanberis Path, with steep sections and uneven terrain. The route follows the path of the original Snowdon Mountain Railway, which operated from 1896 to 1937. Along the way, hikers can enjoy views of the Nantlle Ridge and Moel Hebog, as well as the rugged terrain of Snowdonia.
The Rhyd Ddu Path is another popular route up Snowdon, starting in the village of Rhyd Ddu. It is a shorter and steeper route than the Llanberis Path, but still suitable for hikers of all levels. The route passes through a variety of landscapes, including forests, moorland, and rocky terrain, before reaching the summit. From the top, hikers can enjoy panoramic views of the Snowdonia National Park.
The Miners' Track is one of the most scenic routes up Snowdon, starting at the Pen-y-Pass car park and following the path of an old mining track. Along the way, hikers can enjoy views of two of Snowdon's lakes, Llyn Llydaw and Glaslyn, as well as the impressive Crib Goch ridge. The route is suitable for beginners, but caution should be taken on the steep and rocky sections.
The Pyg Track is another popular route up Snowdon, starting at the Pen-y-Pass car park and following a steep and rocky path to the summit. The route offers stunning views of the Crib Goch ridge and Snowdon's eastern slopes, as well as panoramic views of the Snowdonia National Park. It is a challenging hike, with steep and uneven terrain, but suitable for hikers with some experience.
The Watkin Path is the longest and most challenging of the six routes up Snowdon, starting in the village of Nant Gwynant and following a steep and rocky path to the summit. The route offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, including the Yr Aran ridge and the Glaslyn waterfall. It is recommended for experienced hikers only, as it involves a challenging ascent and some sections of the path can be difficult to navigate.
Crib Goch is a challenging and exhilarating route up Snowdon. It's often considered the most difficult of the main routes, with exposed ridges, steep climbs, and sharp drops. The route begins at the Pen-y-Pass car park and follows the Pyg Track for a short distance before turning onto Crib Goch's narrow and rocky ridge. This section requires careful footwork and scrambling skills, and is not recommended for inexperienced hikers or those with a fear of heights. However, for experienced hikers and climbers, the stunning views and sense of achievement make Crib Goch a must-do route up Snowdon.
Railway For those who prefer a less strenuous ascent, the Snowdon Mountain Railway offers a unique and scenic way to reach the summit. The railway has been in operation since 1896 and is the only public rack and pinion railway in the UK. The train departs from Llanberis and takes passengers on a 4.7-mile journey up the mountain, with stops at Clogwyn Station and the summit. The journey takes around 1 hour and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the Snowdonia National Park and the Welsh coastline. While the railway is a popular option for those who cannot hike the mountain, it's important to note that the summit can become very busy during peak season and may not be suitable for those who prefer a quieter experience.
Llwybrau i gopa'r Wyddfa.
Mae Cymru yn adnabyddus ar gyfer eu mynyddoedd, anturiaethau ai golygfeydd. Nid yw trip i ogledd Cymru yn gyflawn heb daith fyny’r Wyddfa. Un o brif fanteision Yr Wyddfa yw ei fod yn hwylus i bawb gyrraedd y copa, dim mater lefel heini nac oedran – mae llwybr addas i oll. Dyma rhai o’n ffefrynnau ni fel teulu:
Llwybr Llanberis: Hwn yw’r llwybr fwyaf cyfleus i ddringo, ond hefyd y hiraf, 5 milltir o hyd. Dyma yw’r llwybr gorau i’r rhai ohonoch sydd eisiau arbed eich egni ar gyfer un o nifer o anturiaethau eraill sydd gan Ogledd Cymru i gynnig. Ar eich taith i fyny, byddwch yn gweld golygfeydd o fri, a hyd yn oed tuag at Sir Fôn. Ar y cyfan, dyle’r daith gymryd tua 6 awr i gwblhau. Mae’r llwybr yn dechrau o ganol Llanberis, lle mae posib parcio eich car yn y pentref.
Crib Goch: I’r rhai ohonoch sydd eisiau antur a hanner – beth am drio’r llwybr hwn. Dyma un o’r llwybrau anoddaf i fyny’r mynydd, ddylech chi ddim ond ei drio os ydych yn brofiadol ac yn dda gydag uchder! Cymerith tua 4 awr i gerdded (neu ddringo!) i’r copa. Unwaith eto – peidiwch â mynd ar y llwybr hwn os nad ydych yn brofiadol.
Llwybr PYG: Os am geisio gwneud y mwyaf o’ch gwyliau yma yng Nghymru, beth am fynd fyny’r llwybr PYG. Dyma yw’r ffordd cyflymaf i gyrraedd y copa, yn ogystal â’r llwybr gyda lleiaf o ddringfa – efallai mai dyma’r rheswm mai hwn yw’r un o’r llwybrau prysuraf! Mae posib cwblhau’r llwybr o fewn 3 awr, nid yw hyn yn golygu fod y llwybr yn hawdd, gall fod yn serth mewn rhannau, ac felly, fel arfer, mae’n bwysig cymryd gofal.
Trên Stem: Os nad oes awydd cerdded arnoch, beth am deithio i’r copa ar drên stem treftadaeth. Mae’r daith hwn yn para 2 awr gyda chost o £44 ddwy ffordd i oedolion. Dyma’r ffordd hawsaf i arbed eich egni ar gyfer gweddill y dydd – ond elwa ar y golygfeydd godidog o’r ardal. Ar gyfer tymor 2022 oherwydd Gwaith cynnal a chadw, fydd y trên yn terfynu yn Orsaf Clogwyn, sydd ¾ y ffordd i’r copa. Cadwech mewn meddwl, nid yw’r trên yn rhedeg yn y gaeaf, ac awgrymwn eich bod yn archebu o flaen llaw.
