Getting to Yr Wyddfa

Yr Wyddfa is not only Wales’ highest summit, but also the busiest. Whether you’re planning to hike to the summit or explore the surrounding area, planning how to get to Yr Wyddfa is essential.

Over 600,000 people reach the iconic peak of Yr Wyddfa each year either on foot or by train. Luckily, there are now more options than ever to get to the Yr Wyddfa area including the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus service.

Before setting off

All routes to Yr Wyddfa’s summit are challenging hikes

Yr Wyddfa is a challenging mountain to climb. You should be very confident in your mountaineering skills before you venture on any of the routes to the summit. You may find some routes described as ‘easier’ routes to the summit. However you should by no means consider these routes ‘easy’. All routes to Yr Wyddfa’s summit are challenging hikes.

You should also make sure that you have familiarised yourself with all the necessary information on the National Park Authority’s Climbing Yr Wyddfa page including information on what to expect, preparing for your hike and the best and most efficient ways of getting to your route.

Climbing Yr Wyddfa

Getting to Yr Wyddfa

The routes to Yr Wyddfa’s summit all start from small villages or areas with extremely limited capacity for parking. The popularity of Yr Wyddfa, especially during the busy spring and summer seasons, can often cause parking and traffic problems, affecting the local communities. This is why it is recommended to use the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus service to get to the Yr Wyddfa area.

Sherpa’r Wyddfa website

How you use the Sherpa’r Wyddfa service depends mostly on which route you’re intending to take to the summit. There are six routes routes to the summit of Yr Wyddfa—each with their unique challenges and attributes. You should undoubtedly make sure that you’ve researched which route is best to take before you venture to the summit.

The Traveline Cymru website can be a useful tool to find bus times and plan your journey.

Llanberis Path

The Llanberis Path starts in the village of Llanberis and is the most popular route to Yr Wyddfa’s summit. It is also one of the routes with the best public transport access. The Llanberis Path is a short, 10-minute walk from the Llanberis Interchange bus stop.

Getting to the Llanberis Interchange bus stop is easier than ever with the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus service. The service offers direct links to the bus stop from areas such as Bangor, Caernarfon and Betws y Coed.

Miners’ and Pyg Tracks, Pen y Pass

Both the Miners’ and Pyg Tracks start from Pen y Pass. Reaching Pen y Pass on the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus service is incredibly easy with direct links from Nant Peris and Llanberis or even further afield at Bangor, Caernarfon and Betws y Coed.

Pen y Pass car park now operates on a pay and display basis until further notice.

Pen y Pass Car Park Information

Watkin Path

Parking for the Watkin Path is extremely limited! Please use the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus service.

If you’re considering hiking the Watkin Path, you should undoubtedly use the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus service to get there. Parking at Nant Gwynant, where the Watkin Path starts, is extremely limited. The car park is often full by 7:30am leading to congestion and causing significant problems in the local community of Nant Gwynant.

Thankfully, using the Sherpa’r Wyddfa bus service is a fast and efficient way of getting to the Watkin Path trailhead.

Rhyd Ddu Path and Snowdon Ranger

Both the Rhyd Ddu Path and Snowdon Ranger routes ascend the western slopes of Yr Wyddfa. The Rhyd Ddu Path starts from the village of Rhyd Ddu and the Snowdon Ranger starts from the shores of Llyn Cwellyn.

The best direct link to both paths is from Caernarfon. However, there are good links from Porthmadog as well.