Snowdon, or Yr Wyddfa in Welsh, stands proudly as the highest peak in Wales and England, towering at 1,085 metres (3,560 feet). Located in the heart of Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park, it draws adventurers from all corners of the world, offering breathtaking views, rich history, and a variety of paths to the summit. Today, I’m tackling one of the most popular and rewarding routes: the Pyg Track.
Did You Know?
Snowdon’s Welsh name, Yr Wyddfa, translates to “the burial mound” and is tied to the legend of Rhita Gawr, a giant said to be buried at the summit.
The mountain’s first recorded ascent was in 1639 by Thomas Johnson, a botanist.
Snowdon’s summit attracts over half a million visitors each year, making it one of the most popular hiking destinations in the UK.
Sitting at 1,085m, it's a must for any adventurer!
Starting Point: SH 647 556 Pen Y Pass carpark
The Pyg Track begins at Pen-y-Pass, a picturesque starting point situated at an elevation of about 359 metres (1,180 feet). This gives hikers a bit of a head start compared to other routes. The track’s name remains a bit of a mystery—some say it’s derived from the word “Pyg”, referencing the black tar used to pave parts of the track in the past, whilst others believe it’s linked to the nearby Pyg Hotel.
The Stile: SH 633 553
From the carpark, the route follows a relatively steady stoned path up to a stepped section that is quite a challenge if you're not used to hiking! Once you are on the top of this section, take care as you follow the stoney path up and around the side of the mountain. On a clear day you'll have beautiful views of the valley below! Contouring around, you'll then start making your way up some more stones until you reach the first real view of the 'Cwm' of Snowdon. The stile is very picturesque on a clear day! Do take care here, there is also a path heading West that takes you up the gnarly and somewhat dangerous Crib Goch- a great alternative hike for those daring to take a more challenging route, but otherwise, stick to the Pyg Track for a more scenic, slightly more relaxing route!
The footbridge: SH 627 548
It's a beautiful scenic route as you make a steady ascent up the Cambrian Way. It stays steady as you reach a wooden footbridge that crosses a flowing stream. In wet weather, this can be fast-flowing and quite slippery so take care here.
Glaslyn Lake: SH 619 547
The path continues up and contours the lower side of Crib Goch. Below you at this point is Llyn Llydaw, a beautiful reservoir in the bowl of the mountains! A great spot to take a lunch break is just at the obvious bend on the path where you'll get your first view of Glaslyn Lake, which sits at an altitude of approximately 600 metres (1,970 feet) above sea level. According to Welsh folklore, it is believed to be the final resting place of King Arthur's legendary sword, Excalibur. The lake's serene beauty and mythical ties make it a highlight for hikers on the Pyg Track and Miners' Track.
Zig Zag steps: SH 609 548
This is another good place to pause and catch your breath! After a much steeper section of the route so far, you'll head up some rockier sections on this stretch. As you pass the Miners' Track junction, marked by a wooden post filled with old coins, you are not too far from the last big push. Keep going here, dig deep, and you'll eventually reach a low man-made wall. Take a breather here before you start the iconic zig-zag path up. The zig is short and slightly steep, as you make the hairpin turn, the path narrows, and the zag is much longer. But don't give up, after about 20 minutes of up, you'll finally reach the great ridge! On a clear day, you'll have 360-degree views of Snowdonia!
The summit: SH 610 544
The last stretch! This section is about 600 metres of distance to the summit! So keep going, you're about to stand on the top of Wales! The path continues up much more gradually until you reach the steps. Follow these steps up to the summit. On a sunny day, you can expect to queue here for quite a while. Just don't jump the queue. After enjoying the rare but hopeful views from the top, enjoy a coffee (or Snowdon beer) in the summit cafe before making your way back down the same way. Or you can choose one of the other routes back down!
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