Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is a challenging mountain to hike. Venturing to the summit should not be taken lightly. Factors such as the seasons, your fitness level, your mountaineering skills, your preparations beforehand, and the mountain’s popularity can all affect your experience of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is Snowdonia’s highest peak, and although there are several mountains over 3,000 feet in the National Park, the popularity of this famous mountain is far and above the rest.
















No. Routes to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) are challenging to hike. A journey to the summit and back is approximately 7-9 miles. You should be comfortable hiking these distances before hiking up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). You should also be comfortable hiking up and down steep and rocky slopes.
Remember that coming back down from the summit can be more challenging than reaching the summit itself.
It can be a good idea to try an easier hike before hiking up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). This website lists many suitable routes where you can test your fitness level.
It depends on which of the six routes you want to use to reach the summit. There is a suitable car park at the beginning of each path. However, car parks for the popular routes fill up quickly during the busy spring and summer periods.
There are signs at points where paths to the summit cross, but you should not rely on these to reach the summit. You will need to familiarise yourself with the route before starting your journey. There are directions on this site that you can follow. You should also know how to use a map and compass to navigate the mountain.
No. Trainers are not suitable for hiking up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). You should wear appropriate hiking boots. These types of boots have thick soles to protect the heels of your feet and provide a good grip. The high edges of hiking boots support your ankles, which reduces the risk of twisting your ankle.
Hiking up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) can be dangerous, and everyone needs to take responsibility for their own safety. Even with the appropriate equipment, there are many dangers that you need to be aware of. One of the main dangers is the weather. Weather on the mountain can change within minutes. Remember to check the weather before you begin and keep a close eye on any changes during your journey. If the weather conditions start to get too much for your ability, you should turn back immediately.
During the winter, snow can cover much of the summit. As the snow gets compacted, it becomes extremely slippery. In these circumstances, it is impossible to reach the summit without specialist mountaineering equipment.
In the winter, Snowdonia National Park Authority publishes a daily Ground Conditions Report. This report provides information on factors such as the weather on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and hazards such as snow and ice.
You should call 999 and ask for the police and the Mountain Rescue service. They will ask for your:
- Location
- Name, sex and age
- Nature of your emergency or injuries
- Number of people in your group (if applicable)
- Mobile phone number
If you have hearing or speech needs, you can text the emergency services, but you will need to register in advance. Text the word ‘register’ to 999 and follow the instructions.
More information on what to do in an emergency on the mountain can be found on the Adventure Smart website.