How hard is it to Climb Snowdon?
Here at Climb Snowdon, a lot of people ask us the same question. How hard is it to climb Snowdon? It is certainly not an easy question to answer (read on to find out why), but we thought we should give it a go. In this article, we consider how difficult Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is to climb, explore the factors that determine the degree of difficulty and look at ways you can tailor the challenge to your ability.
Understanding Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
At 1,085 metres, Yr Wyddfa is the tallest mountain in Wales and the highest outside Scotland in the UK. In terms of elevation gain, it is one of the biggest mountain challenges you can tackle without leaving the British Isles.
To put Yr Wyddfa into perspective, Scafell Pike, England’s highest peak, reaches 978 metres. Ben Nevis, the tallest in the UK, hits 1,345 metres. On the continent, the world-famous Mont Blanc peaks at 4,807 metres and further afield, Everest tops out at 8,848 metres.
However, figures do not tell the whole story. Mountains can be more or less difficult to climb depending on the terrain, how challenging the approach is and whether there are established and easy-to-follow paths to the summit. In most cases, there are several routes to the top of a mountain and the degree of difficulty varies from path to path. So two walkers can experience a very different challenge, despite scaling the same mountain.
Hard is a relative term
Before we go any further, we have to talk about subjectivity. What one person finds difficult, another will find easy. Difficulty is subjective. How hard you find a climb depends on your experience, expertise and level of fitness. Someone who has travelled the world scaling legendary peaks would probably view Yr Wyddfa as a walk in the park. Someone who is relatively new to hiking or does not spend much time in hilly terrain will find the climb testing.
We believe reaching Yr Wyddfa’s peak is a rewarding experience, no matter how experienced you are. We also think the reward reflects the personal challenge. If Yr Wyddfa is the highest you have ever walked, you will feel that post-hike buzz and bask in the afterglow of your achievement for weeks to come. And so you should. It does not matter if someone went faster, further or higher. It is a major personal accomplishment. Celebrate it!
The types of challenges you will face
As with most challenges, climbing Yr Wyddfa is difficult in several ways. Below, we have identified three distinct aspects of the challenge. You may struggle with one more than the others. Or they may all test you. Either way, they will define how difficult your climb is.
Physical
The physical challenge is the first thing people think about when considering Yr Wyddfa. Do I have the stamina required to reach the top? Am I fit enough? For most regular walkers, climbing Yr Wyddfa is achievable. It may be tough and you might leave your comfort zone along the way, but you can do it.
If you are unsure whether you are physically prepared for the challenge, we recommend doing some training beforehand. Even if you think you are in good enough shape, implementing a training regime is a great idea. It will get you out in nature, improve your general health and ensure you can enjoy the experience of climbing Yr Wyddfa, rather than labouring through it. We will touch on training and share a sample training regime later in the article, so look for more details below.
Psychological
In our opinion, the psychological challenge is often the most overlooked. If you are unaccustomed to walking in the mountains, lack self-belief or are concerned about heights, your mind can be the biggest obstacle to completing the climb. We see this regularly. We also help many people overcome these mental blocks.
The best thing you can do to prepare mentally is to learn about the challenge and what it entails. Look at maps, talk to experts (you can always give us a call) and read about Yr Wyddfa. We have an entire library of resources dedicated to helping people understand the mountain and how to climb it.
There is a range of other coping mechanisms you can employ, too. For instance, we highly recommend walking with a group. The social dynamic, companionship and support you find when a group of walkers get together is a strong motivator. If you are wary of heights, rest assured that a few routes up Yr Wyddfa keep you away from precipitous falls or particularly steep sections.
Ultimately, the best source of support is an experienced guide who understands your concerns and can help you through the climb. They will also ensure you get the most from your walk. The guides here at Climb Snowdon are fountains of local knowledge and will share fascinating insights into the landscape and nature.
Technical
Finally, walkers also need to appreciate the technical challenge involved in climbing Yr Wyddfa. This manifests itself in various ways. For instance, tricky weather conditions may make navigation more difficult. Depending on your chosen route, the terrain might require you to be comfortable with scrambling.
In this sense, the technical challenge relates back to the idea that difficulty is relative. Some people may struggle off of a marked and well-trodden path. Others might have no trouble navigating loose rubble but hit a wall when they have to traverse a ridgeline. With this in mind, the technicality of your route is one of the main ways you can adapt the challenge to your level.
Adapting the challenge to your level
One of the most enjoyable aspects of mountain adventures is that you can adapt the degree of difficulty to reflect what you want from the experience. Fancy pushing yourself to your physical limits? Try to reach the summit as quickly as possible. Making your first mountain ascent? Choose a route that ensures the climb is achievable.
There are four main ways you can tailor the difficulty to your needs.
Route
Your choice of route is arguably the most important factor in determining difficulty. First-timers’ favourite Llanberis Path is an entirely different experience to the ridgeline scramble across Crib Goch. You can find a more in-depth guide to the different paths on our Routes Guide page. However, we also think you would benefit from a rapid rundown now. So here is our quick guide to the main Yr Wyddfa trails.
Llanberis Path is often considered the “easiest” way up Yr Wyddfa. It is fantastic for families, larger groups and those new to walking in mountainous terrain. The path is generally well-maintained and you will usually find a fair few people on the trail throughout the year. However, this changes in the winter when the upper reaches become more treacherous.
The Snowdon Ranger Path, Miners Track and Rhyd Ddu Path up the challenge a little. However, they are still manageable with a good level of fitness and some experience walking in the mountains. They are all shorter in length than Llanberis but feature steeper sections.
Depending on who you talk to, either the Pyg Track or Watkin Path is the most difficult traditional route to the summit. Both are more technical than the other trails included in this list and require greater confidence in the mountains.
Finally, experienced mountaineers looking for a tougher challenge may want to consider the Snowdon Horseshoe. Taking in the entire ridgeline surrounding Yr Wyddfa, as well as the spectacular knife-edge scramble across Crib Goch, this walk is the most difficult of the lot.
Time of year
Another way to adjust the difficulty of the walk is to attempt it at different times of the year. Each season poses a unique challenge. The heat in the summer can catch people out, while winter conditions offer an entirely different experience. Spring and autumn are often great times to walk to the summit. But you must be careful as the weather can change quickly.
To be clear, we recommend only walking up Yr Wyddfa in suitable weather conditions. Walkers should never use the weather to make a climb more challenging. The mountainside can be extremely dangerous in poor conditions. You are risking your safety and that of the people who will inevitably try to help you if you run into trouble.
However, more experienced walkers may want to challenge themselves by climbing Yr Wyddfa when snow has fallen. This requires a completely different skill set to summer climbs. We suggest attending a winter mountain skills course or climbing with an experienced guide if you want to try it. We also have a comprehensive winter climb article, should you want to learn more.
Speed
Tackling the ascent at speed is another easy way to make your Yr Wyddfa experience a touch harder. If you have reached the summit before, why not try to scrub a bit of time off your PB?
Generally, this will only appeal to those interested in trail running or with a real competitive streak. But it puts a nice spin on the physical, psychological and technical challenges you usually face. You will have to be on top of your game to do it. As always, safety is paramount, so it is important not to put yourself in danger just for the sake of a slightly quicker climb time.
As part of a challenge
Finally, if you are looking to really push yourself, why not look at one of the many challenges that incorporate Yr Wyddfa as part of the route? The Welsh 3000s and Three Peaks challenges are two of the best-known in the country. Working towards finishing them will require determination and a lot of work.
If you find yourself getting into trail running after your Yr Wyddfa experience, the Dragon’s Back Race spans the length of Wales and is one of the most prestigious ultra-running events in the world. Why not dream big!?
Preparation
Preparation is a big part of any adventure into the mountains. When we organise a walk or event, we want control over the difficulty. We do not want the walk to be hard because you found yourself halfway up Yr Wyddfa dehydrated and out of food and water. Neither do we want you to find the climb impossible because a thick fog descended and drastically reduced visibility. Those are not challenges. They are disasters.
With this in mind, we recommend focusing preparations on three things.
Physical training
If you are unsure whether you have the fitness to make it to the top, play it safe and get training. Even if you are confident in your abilities, a little training will never hurt. We put together a six-week training schedule for anyone who wants to build their fitness in the run-up to their big day. Download it and give it a go.
Equipment
Climbing Yr Wyddfa without the correct equipment will make your time on the mountain far less enjoyable. The walk is strenuous enough without you making it more uncomfortable by wearing inappropriate shoes or not bringing anything to eat. At a minimum, we recommend using or bringing:
- Sturdy walking shoes or boots
- Spacious and comfortable rucksack
- Food and water
- Warm layers
- Suitable clothing
- Warm hat and gloves
- Waterproofs
- Sunscreen and hat
- First aid kit
- Map and compass
- Headtorch and whistle
- Mobile phone with a charge pack and waterproof bag for storage
Understanding your walk
Finally, prepare yourself by learning about Yr Wyddfa, looking at maps, working out your route and ensuring you know what to do in an emergency. Pay careful attention to weather forecasts – the Mountain Weather Information Service is a fantastic resource – and always pull the plug on your walk if the weather does not look good enough. Pay particular attention to wind speeds and check the forecast for later in the day. You never know what may delay your descent in the mountains.
What next?
Start preparing for your next adventure up Yr Wyddfa! Whether it is your first, fifth or fiftieth climb, the team at Climb Snowdon is always here to help you challenge yourself in a safe and enjoyable way. From first-time walkers to those wanting to sample winter conditions on the summit, we guide, teach and train anyone with an interest in Eryri (Snowdonia) and the gorgeous mountain environment.
To find out how we can help you make the most of your climb, join us on one of our summer or winter group walks, check out our mountain skills courses or simply get in touch and talk to a member of the team. We look forward to hearing from you!