GUNUNG · Wales, Britania Raya

Snowdon

Yr Wyddfa

Information

Elevation: 1.085 m
Country: Wales, Britania Raya (GB)
Location / Range: Snowdonia (Eryri) — Gwynedd, North Wales, United Kingdom
Mountain type: Non-volcanic peak — Ordovician volcanic rock that has been metamorphosed and eroded by glaciation; a distinctive pyramidal peak shaped by glacial sculpting
Volcanic?: No (non-volcanic)
Coordinates: 53.0689, -4.0756
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate (the Llanberis Path is the easiest; Crib Goch/Horseshoe is a demanding exposed Grade 1 scramble; many routes are available for varying skill levels)
Best Season: April–October; winter (November–March) requires crampons/ice axe on some routes
Permits & Rules: No permit; open access (CRoW Act access rights). Can also be reached by the Snowdon Mountain Railway (the oldest rack-and-pinion in the UK) from Llanberis. Parking is limited at the trailhead; the Sherpa'r Wyddfa (Sherpa Snow) bus is strongly recommended.
Hazards: Strong winds on the ridges and summit plateau; sudden fog that reduces visibility; slippery trails when wet or snowy; Crib Goch and Y Lliwedd are very exposed and unsuitable for beginners; high visitor congestion in summer

Description

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa, 1,085 m) is the highest mountain in Wales and the highest peak in the British Isles outside Scotland. Regarded as one of the most climbed mountains in the world, it attracts over 500,000 walkers per year. Its Welsh name, Yr Wyddfa ('tumulus' or 'burial place'), has become the officially promoted name by Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. The Snowdon massif is formed from Ordovician volcanic rocks sculpted by repeated glaciation, producing the dramatic pyramidal summit, three arêtes (Crib Goch, Y Lliwedd, and Crib y Ddysgl), and the striking cwms of Glaslyn and Llydaw. Six official routes lead to the summit; the most popular is the Llanberis Path (9.5 km round trip, 3–5 hours) — suitable for all abilities in summer. The Snowdon Horseshoe via Crib Goch is an iconic Grade 1 scrambling experience. The Snowdon Mountain Railway (operating since 1896) enables a mechanical ascent from Llanberis to the summit station. At the top sits the Hafod Eryri visitor centre/café (opened 2009).

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Crib Goch / Snowdon Horseshoe

Scrambling Grade 1 dengan eksposur ekstrem — bukan jalur jalan kaki

±6–10 jam untuk sirkuit penuh

Crib Goch is a knife-edge ridge in Eryri; the full Snowdon Horseshoe circuit typically takes 6–10 hours. Technically a Grade 1 scramble, but its severe exposure and route-finding hazards make it far more serious than its grade suggests. Not advised in strong wind, ice, or poor visibility.

Source

Llanberis Path

Berat tetapi non-teknis; jalur terpanjang namun paling landai

±6–7 jam pulang-pergi

About 14.5 km round trip with ~975 m of ascent. Often called the easiest route to the Yr Wyddfa summit thanks to its gradual gradient, following the line of the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Even so it demands fitness and navigation skills, especially in mist.

Route Segments

1

Llanberis → Halfway House

500 mdpl

Tanjakan bertahap mengikuti rel kereta
2

Halfway House → Bwlch Glas

990 mdpl

Bagian lebih terbuka & berangin; bertemu jalur lain di dekat puncak
3

Bwlch Glas → Puncak Yr Wyddfa (Hafod Eryri)

1.085 mdpl

Stasiun puncak & pusat pengunjung tertinggi di Britania Raya

Source

Llanberis Path — Jalur Terpopuler & Termudah

Mudah–Moderat (jalan berbatu terawat; tidak teknis; jalur terpanjang namun landai paling konsisten)

14.00 km +1000 m 5–7 jam pulang-pergi

The most popular and least technically demanding route on Snowdon, starting from the town of Llanberis (~93 m) and following largely the same alignment as the Snowdon Mountain Railway. About 9–10 km one way, with a gradual ascent along the north-west ridge to the mountain shoulder, then a short traverse of the southern flank to the summit (1,085 m). No technical sections or exposed scrambling in summer conditions; suitable for beginners, fit families with children, and first-time Snowdon visitors. On a clear summer day, the queue for the trig point at the top can be long. At the summit is Hafod Eryri — a modern café and visitor centre — plus the Snowdon Mountain Railway terminus.

Route Segments

1

Llanberis (93 m) → Halfway House (~570 m)

⏱ 1,5–2 jam 570 mdpl

Jalur terawat naik perlahan; café Halfway House (musim panas) di tengah jalan
2

Halfway House → Bahu Gunung Clogwyn (~900 m)

⏱ 1–1,5 jam 900 mdpl

Jalur mengikuti rel kereta; pemandangan mulai membuka ke utara menuju Llanberis
3

Bahu Gunung → Puncak Yr Wyddfa (1085 m)

⏱ 45–60 menit 1.085 mdpl

Sisi selatan gunung; pertemuan dengan jalur Pyg Track; plateau puncak dengan kafe Hafod Eryri

Source

Pyg Track & Miners' Track — Rute Melingkar Paling Populer

Moderat (lebih pendek dari Llanberis; beberapa bagian berbatu tajam; tidak teknis di musim panas)

12.00 km +750 m 4–6 jam melingkar

The most popular circular route combination on Snowdon, starting from Pen y Pass car park (359 m). The Pyg Track (ascent) climbs the more direct northern ridge through large boulders to Bwlch y Moch, then follows the ridge to Bwlch Glas (1,012 m) where it joins the Llanberis Path to the summit. The Miners' Track (descent) follows the old miners' route past Glaslyn and Llydaw lakes — gentler and lower on the mountain's flanks. This circular route offers the best views of Llyn Glaslyn (the blue-green glacial lake) and Snowdon's north face. Well-marked and suitable for experienced walkers; weekend traffic on the ascent path can be very heavy in summer.

Route Segments

1

Pen y Pass (359 m) → Bwlch y Moch via Pyg Track

⏱ 45–60 menit 600 mdpl

Jalur berbatu naik ke saddle; pemandangan langsung ke Llyn Llydaw dan massif Snowdon
2

Bwlch y Moch → Bwlch Glas (1012 m)

⏱ 1–1,5 jam 1.012 mdpl

Punggung terbuka berbatu; pemandangan Llyn Glaslyn di kiri; eksposur angin meningkat
3

Bwlch Glas (1012 m) → Puncak (1085 m)

⏱ 30–45 menit 1.085 mdpl

Bergabung dengan Llanberis Path dan jalur kereta; puncak dengan kafe Hafod Eryri
4

Puncak → Pen y Pass via Miners' Track (turun)

⏱ 1,5–2 jam 359 mdpl

Turun via danau Glaslyn dan Llydaw; lebih landai; jalur berkerikil dan lebih lebar

Source

Watkin Path

Berat & terjal; total tanjakan terbesar di antara jalur utama

±6 jam pulang-pergi

About 13 km round trip with ~1,015 m of ascent — the greatest of the direct routes because it starts from low ground. It passes waterfalls and pools, then a steep, rocky final section to the summit; one of the most challenging routes, demanding strong fitness and good navigation.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) is the most frequently climbed mountain in Wales and one of the busiest in Britain — over 500,000 people visit each year. With six official routes and a mountain railway (Snowdon Mountain Railway), it offers a wide range of experiences: from a leisurely family walk via the Llanberis Path to an exhilarating Grade 1 scramble on Crib Goch (part of the Snowdon Horseshoe). Hikers frequently emphasise how quickly the weather can change at the summit — thick cloud and strong winds can arrive within minutes even on a clear day below. In summer the summit is very busy; those seeking more solitude prefer the Rhyd Ddu Path, Watkin Path, or early-morning starts before 8 am.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.