Routes up Snowdon

The Llanberis Path
This is the most popular of the tourist routes up Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), and at five miles, is also the longest. In summer conditions, it is one of the easiest paths; but in winter, the upper reaches of the path can be very treacherous. Before the main road was built from the coast to Llanberis, climbers used to have to walk all the way from Caernarfon before they even started on the climb up Snowdon itself. George Borrow and his daughter, in 1854, travelled by pony and trap from Bangor to Caernarfon, walked from there to the summit, and returned to Bangor, all in one day!

The Snowdon Ranger Path
This path, one of the easiest up the mountain, is named after John Morton, the self-styled “Snowdon Ranger”, who used to live in what is now the Youth Hostel at the beginning of the path. He used to act as escort to “gentlemen who put themselves under his guidance in order to ascend Snowdon and see the country”. It is perhaps the earliest route up Snowdon, and is probably similar to that taken by the men from the Britannia Copper Mine in Cwm Dyli, who manhandled the ore up to Bwlch Glas and then dragged it by sled to the shores of Llyn Cwellyn.

The Pyg Track
This path, which starts at 1,170 ft. (359m.) is one of the most rugged and challenging routes up Snowdon. In winter, when there is snow and ice on the ground, it is a route best left to the experienced and properly equipped walker.
No one is certain how the Pyg Track came by its name; possibly from Bwlch y Moch (Pigs’ Pass) over which it passes. (It is sometimes spelt Pig Track). “Pyg” in Welsh also means ‘pitch’ and may refer to the dull black pitchy appearance of the path in one location; or it may have been the route used to carry pitch up to the copper mines. A third possibility is that it was named after the Pen y Gwryd Hotel nearby, by the early climbers who stayed there.

The Miners Track
The Miners’ Track to Llyn Glaslyn was built during the last century to serve the Britannia Copper Mines. Abandoned in 1917, it is said that in the mine’s heyday, Arthur Lockwood, who used to be the manager of the Pen y Gwryd Hotel, drove his car along the track all the way to Llyn Glaslyn. The track to the lake is still almost a road, and though eroded in some places, nevertheless provides an exciting and safe mountain walk for people with little experience of mountains. The path beyond Llyn Glaslyn to the summit is considerably steeper and can be a serious undertaking, particularly in winter.

The Rhyd Ddu Path
This is one of the easiest and probably the least used of the main paths up Snowdon.It passes through some beautiful mountain scenery, and sunset views over Moel Hebog and the Nantlle hills can be spectacular.There are two starting points.The nearest to Beddgelert is not far from the Forestry Commission car park at Pont Cae’r Gors.The second starts at the large car park at Rhyd Ddu.

The Watkin Path
The path is named after Sir Edward Watkin, the Victorian railway tycoon, entrepreneur, dreamer and Liberal M.P., who retired to “The Chalet” in Cwm y Llan; and is a monument to his ingenuity and philanthropy. Constructed in stone by his workmen, the route to the summit was originally passable by horse-drawn carriage as far as the quarry. Its opening to the public in 1892 was itself a red-letter day in the history of Welsh Liberalism, as Sir Edward prevailed upon William Gladstone, then 83 years of age and recently elected to his final term of office as Prime Minister, to perform the ceremony. At Gladstone Rock, a huge rock outcrop, a roofed and carpeted platform held the guests, while a crowd in excess of 2,000 admirers, gathered to hear the Grand Old Man speak. Of all the paths up Snowdon, the Watkin is probably the hardest. It involves an ascent of 3,300ft.

Routes up Cadair Idris

Ty Nant Path
The Pony Track from Tŷ Nant is the main footpath up Cadair Idris from the Dolgellau side of the mountain. It is a reasonably safe and easy route, which also offers the most rewarding views.
The Fox’s Path, which also climbs the mountain from the Dolgellau side, crosses an extremely steep and loose scree slope. There have been many accidents here; several of them fatal, and walkers are NOT recommended to use this route.

The Minffordd Path
At about 3 miles, this is probably the shortest footpath up Cadair Idris; although it involves the greatest ascent (2,850ft, 869m).
No one is certain where the name Cadair Idris (Idris’ chair) originates. Some maintain that Idris was a national hero, killed in battle against the Saxons round about 630 A.D. Some insist that he was a giant, and yet others link Idris with the legend of Arthur.

The Llanfihangel Path
This is the easiest of the footpaths up Cadair Idris, but at over five miles, it is the longest. The Pony Track runs from Llanfihangel y Pennant over the hill known as Tyrrau Mawr, and down the other side to Tŷ Nant. It was probably the most direct way for parishioners to get to Dolgellau, their local market town and seat of quarter sessions.

For a hotel in Snowdonia, try the Dolserau Hotel.