Snowdon
Mountain Wales' highest mountain and popular hiking destination
Highest peak in Wales at 1,085 metres, accessible by several trails or the Snowdon Mountain Railway from Llanberis. Walkers and scramblers visit for summit panoramas across coast and uplands and for a range of routes at differing difficulty.
Snowdon, known in Welsh as Yr Wyddfa, is the highest mountain in Wales at 1,085 metres and a central peak of Snowdonia National Park. It is one of the UK’s most popular mountains for walking and scenic views.
The mountain offers a range of marked routes with differing difficulty and length. The Llanberis Path is the longest and least steep, while the Pyg Track and Miners Track are shorter and more rugged; the Snowdon Mountain Railway provides a seasonal rail link from Llanberis to the summit area for part of the ascent.
Human use of the mountain spans centuries for pastoralism and recreation; the mountain railway opened in the late 19th century to carry visitors and remains an important heritage transport link. The summit area includes visitor facilities and a weather-exposed ridge landscape shaped by glaciation.
Snowdon sits in northwestern Wales within Snowdonia National Park, close to the village of Llanberis and within driving distance of the regional centres of Bangor and Caernarfon; the terrain around the mountain is rugged with deep glacial valleys and lakes.
- Height and walking times: At 1,085 metres it is the highest mountain in Wales; ascent times vary by route but the most popular walks typically take 3 to 6 hours round trip for fit walkers.
- Weather and safety: The summit's weather changes rapidly; many injuries occur on descents in poor visibility, so warm clothing, map and compass or a guide are recommended outside clear conditions.
What to See #
- Summit (1,085 m) and Hafod Eryri visitor centre: Summit area (Yr Wyddfa) with trig point and summit cairn at 1,085 metres; includes the visitor facilities and the recently rebuilt summit centre.
- Main ascent routes: Major footpaths used by most walkers, notably the Llanberis Path (longest, gradual), the Pyg Track and the Miners Track, which vary in distance and technical difficulty.
- Snowdon Mountain Railway: The heritage funicular railway that climbs from Llanberis to the summit area, operating seasonally and offering an alternative to walking for part of the ascent.
How to Get to Snowdon #
Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) in north Wales is commonly reached from the village of Llanberis. By road Llanberis is about 15-25 km from nearby towns (for example roughly 20 km from Bangor) and around 2-3 hours from major cities such as Manchester, depending on route and traffic; follow A55/A487 into Snowdonia and signposts to Llanberis.
From Llanberis you can hike the popular Llanberis Path or take the Snowdon Mountain Railway from Llanberis station up toward the summit (seasonal service). Another common car access point for ridge routes is the Pen-y-Pass car park (accessed via the A4086); allow a short walk from parking or the nearest drop-off to the pathheads.
Tips for Visiting Snowdon #
- Start very early in the day (pre‑dawn or at first light) to avoid crowds, get clearer summit views before cloud builds, and secure parking on approach villages.
- If you plan to ride, book the Snowdon Mountain Railway in advance and check seasonal operating dates; on busy days it sells out and the weather can close it at short notice.
- Choose quieter ascents such as the Pyg Track or Miner's Track if you want to avoid the busiest Llanberis Path; expect marked paths and a variety of difficulty levels.
Best Time to Visit Snowdon #
For hiking and clearer conditions, aim for late spring to summer (May-September); winter visits are possible but require mountaineering experience and equipment.
Weather & Climate near Snowdon #
Snowdon's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -1°C to 15°C. Heavy rainfall (2472 mm/year), wettest in December.
January
January is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Heavy rain (272 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (198 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Heavy rain (230 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (159 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (142 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (143 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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July
July is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (146 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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August
August is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (172 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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September
September is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. Heavy rain (203 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Heavy rain (253 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Heavy rain (276 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (278 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
