Climbing Snowdon in August

Q. Hi - We are hoping to climb Snowdon in August.

We will be leaving our young son with family so we would just like a rough guide as to how long it takes to climb?

We have climbed all Yorkshires 3 peaks (not at once yet!!) and Helvellyn (in the Lake District).

Apart from being higher, is it a similar climb to any of these?

Thanks in advance x

Gaynor Brennan, Leeds

A. The easiest* way up Snowdon is via the Llanberis Path - which starts (not surprisingly) from Llanberis in Gwynedd, Wales.

For the route up - see Walks

gw126 Snowdon via The Llanberis Path

gw158 Garnedd Ugain, Snowdon, Moel Cynghorion, Foel Gron and Moel Eilio from Llanberis

gw186 Garnedd Ugain, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) & Moel Cynghorion from Llanberis

NB. These walks detail an alternative (longer) route back down which visit neighbouring mountain tops - but you can easily retrace your upward route back down if you prefer.

To go straight up and down is about 15km (9 1/2 miles) with 1024m (3359ft) of Ascent. It is certainly 'do-able' as a day walk and should take a reasonably fit person around 7 hrs - longer if you are not used to walks of this nature.

The best (nearest) place to stay is Llanberis - and wait for a long summer weekend - preferably one with good dry sunny weather.

NB. Since Snowdon is the highest point in both England and Wales - the top is often shrouded in mist.

Even on a good day, expect a considerable temperature difference with it cooler at the top compared with the warmer Llanberis. Wear walking boots, carry some warm clothing and take plenty of water.

This link showing some photos of the walking routes up Snowdon should help you choose which one is best for you.

See Hill Skills for information detailing what to take and what to wear.

Public Transport is a bit harder to track down - the nearest National Network Railway Station is Betws-y-Coed (pronounced 'Better see Coy-ed'). See The National Rail Enquiries web site for train times from London.

You will have to get a local bus (or taxi) from this station - see this Travel Search site for more information.

With respect to which weekend to pick - every weekend of the year is very busy - particularly if the weather is good. This is a very popular walk and you will not be alone.

Hope this helps

Mike (Editor)

*Actually, the easiest way up Snowdon is aboard the The Snowdon Mountain Railwaywhich runs from Llanberis all the way to the summit and back again - but this isn't walking to the summit so doesn't count!

A. Hi, for my money, possibly the best route up Snowdon for the (non scrambling) hillwalker is the Rhyd Du Path gw107 Snowdon and Yr Aran from Rhyd-Ddu

with the option to return via Snowdon's less frequented South Ridge ( Allt Maenderyn) to the disused quarry at the col below Yr Aran, then follow a clear ( but often wet and muddy) track to rejoin the Rhyd Du path close to the start.

Paul Gasson, Rhosneigr

A. The Visitor Centre and Summit Cafe is closed through 2007 for rebuilding and as a result the trains are stopping 3/4 of the way up.

Steven Latham, Rhyl

A. Hi Gaynor,

A fantastic route which I did with my brother on a beautiful day at the end of July was the 'Snowdon Horseshoe' - walk gw136 The Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) Horseshoe from Pen-y-Pass

This starts from the car park at Pen y pass, follows the PYG Track for a short way, then ascends via the famous 'Crib Goch' - you need a head for heights for this bit - then on to Garnedd Ugain (Crib y Ddsygl), Snowdon, Y Lliwedd before descending back to Pen y Pass via the Miner's Track.

You're basically circling the two lakes, Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw, and if you get a good clear day like we did, the views are simply awesome - I reckon this was one of the best walks I've ever done.

Neither my brother or I are particularly fit, but we managed this in 8 hours and rewarded ourselves handsomely in the pub later that evening!

Good luck with your plans

Paul Hodges

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