Mt. Snowdon Guide

Many people have asked, “is climbing Mount Snowdon hard?” and to their surprise, it isn’t as hard as you think, as long as you have a base level of fitness and make sure that you are prepared. Climbing Mount Snowdon has to be one of the top adventures that Wales has to offer, and it has been on my UK bucket list for longer than I can remember. Standing at 1085m at the peak, Snowdon is the tallest mountain in England and Wales and ranks as one of the top hikes in the UK. The landscape is truly spectacular, with the views on every part of the hike being absolutely priceless; it is one of those adventures that everyone must experience.

In this blog post, I will be sharing all you need to know for climbing Mount Snowdon, from the best route to the must-have essentials for the hike.

What tracks did I take?

There are many different tracks that you can take to reach the summit of Mount Snowdon. Some are longer, some shorter, some steeper and everything in between so before you head out to hike the mountain, make sure you spend so time beforehand learning about the routes that you plan on taking. For those with a base level of fitness, who want a bit of a challenge but nothing to crazy then I recommend you follow in my footsteps and take these routes:

Pyg Track - the Pyg Track may be the shortest route up to the summit with the least ascent don’t let that fool you as it is not the easiest. The path for the most part is in pretty good condition and is easy to follow, however, it can get steep and rocky at different sections which can make it challenging, especially as you get closer to the summit.
Miners Track - the Miners Track is one of the most popular routes, starting off pretty straightforward, this track leads you along the waters edge and past the ruins of the old copper mine before it meets with Pyg track and becomes a bit more difficult.

Track Summaries

Pyg Track

Start and Finish: Pen-y-pass to Snowdon Summit
Time: 3 Hours
Distance: 5.19km
Ascent: 704m
Difficulty Level: 4th hardest out of 7 paths

Miners Track

Start and Finish: Pen-y-pass to Snowdon Summit
Time: 3 Hours
Distance: 6.54km
Ascent: 766m
Difficulty Level: 6th hardest out of 7 paths

What are the essentials for climbing Mount Snowdon?

Comfortable hiking shoes - whichever path you take, you’ll be hiking for more than 4 hours so you want to prevent blisters and be comfortable on your climb.
Hiking socks - you’ll be thankful for the cushion on your feet and letting them breath.
Workout/Hiking clothes - be as comfortable you can be!
Remember layers - hiking Snowdon in some ways is like a rollercoaster, your temperature will be up and down constantly. The weather can change almost instantly, one minute you’ll be lapping up the rays in the sun, the next you’ll be shivering your way to hypothermia, so avoid this with planned layers for all conditions.
Waterproof jacket - like before, the weather can change on a dime and Wales is known for its rain, so make sure have your waterproofs to stay dry.
Hiking backpack - an often overlook essential, a backpack can make or break a hike. You’ll be carry plenty of food and water on your hike, as well as all those layers, so make sure you have a backpack which will distribute the weight and be comfy for your long hike.
Little essentials - lots of food and drinks, a little medical kit, hat and gloves, and, sun cream are some other essential you must not forget.