The Best Month To Climb Snowdon
At Climb Snowdon, we receive a lot of questions regarding the best time of year to climb Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). So we thought it was about time we produced a month-by-month guide to the mountain and what you can expect as we move through the year.
January
Starting this month-by-month guide with January is a little ironic, as it’s one of the only months when very few people will climb Yr Wyddfa. It is a great month for experienced mountain walkers. But certainly not the time to attempt your first ascent. Snow, short days and cold temperatures make it a treacherous climb that often requires specialist winter equipment.
If you are absolutely committed to climbing Yr Wyddfa in January but don’t yet have the necessary experience, we recommend checking out our sister company, RAW Adventures. They deliver excellent Winter Mountain Skills courses that help you develop the necessary expertise and knowledge.
January is best for:
- • Practising winter mountain skills and loading up all your winter equipment.
- • Possibly one of the only times you will have the summit to yourself.
- • Spectacular, snow-covered vistas.
Not for:
- • First-time climbers or anyone with no experience of winter walking in the mountains.
- • Those without the necessary equipment.
February
Snowy conditions can persist long into February and sub-zero temperatures mean Yr Wyddfa remains inhospitable. However, the real danger is compacted ice, which is not always immediately visible and becomes more of a concern as the snow disappears. Crampons and ice axes (as well as knowledge of how to use them) are still recommended. While conditions at the foot of the mountain can seem pleasant, they are quick to change and can differ significantly at the summit.
February is best for:
- • Experienced walkers looking to get their last winter summits in before spring begins.
- • Walkers who want to practise using crampons and other winter equipment.
- • Visitors who want to enjoy other Eryri (Snowdonia) walks during a quiet time of the year.
Not for:
- • Anyone who thinks the arrival of February means the worst winter conditions have passed.
- •Walkers who aren’t accustomed to checking the weather and mountain forecasts regularly.
March
March is a bit of a gamble, as we’re transitioning from winter to spring and the conditions are generally unpredictable. This means you can encounter either sub-zero temperatures and snow or clear, mild days that make it seem as though the worst of the weather is behind us. While this is a welcome development for many walkers, it can instil a false confidence that may prove dangerous. As always, check the forecasts before you climb and ensure you prepare for any eventuality.
March is best for:
- • Walkers who can take advantage of short weather windows to experience a quiet Yr Wyddfa summit.
- • Those with a good understanding of mountain forecasts and experience in trickier walking conditions.
- • Walkers with all the necessary winter walking equipment.
Not for:
- • Anyone complacent about how quickly conditions can change on the mountain.
- • Less experienced walkers who really should wait one more month and climb Yr Wyddfa in April – one of the best times of year to do so.
April
April is one of the Climb Snowdon team’s favourite months to be on the mountain. No, you are not guaranteed blue skies and sunshine, and conditions may be more overcast. But Yr Wyddfa is quiet and the transition to spring is gathering pace, bringing Eryri’s breathtaking landscapes back to life. It is worth noting that snow can linger on the mountain until May, so check conditions and be careful.
April is best for:
- • Walkers who enjoy seeing the landscape burst back to life and want to feel a spring in their step.
- • People who want to experience Yr Wyddfa while it is quiet, before the summer crowds descend.
- • Nature-lovers. There is so much activity during this period – it will delight anyone with an interest in fauna and flora.
Not for:
- • People who hate walking in a bit of drizzle or are not prepared for ever-changing conditions.
- • Anyone who wants a guaranteed clear and crisp view from the summit.
May
As we close in on the warmer summer months and the days start to get longer, the mountain receives more visitors. May is still a relatively quiet time of the year (compared to the main summer months), but it is noticeably busier than April. If you want to avoid the crowds, skip the May bank holiday, as we often see an enormous spike in walkers over the long weekend. The Snowdon Railway also begins running to the summit in May.
May is best for:
- • Near-summer conditions. If you get a good day, May temperatures can be perfect. Bright blue skies but not too hot.
- • Anyone looking to organise a walk where they are pretty much guaranteed there won’t be snow on the mountain.
- • Walkers wanting to get their final pre-summer summit in.
Not for:
- • People who really do not enjoy the bank holiday crowds.
June
In June, visitor numbers start to pick up and things get busy on the mountain. The longer days ensure it’s a great time to try longer walking routes and challenges but you will have to compete with more traffic on the footpaths. At this time of year, an extensive knowledge of the area is essential and can help you avoid some busier sections. It’s one of the reasons people opt to join a Climb Snowdon guided walk. If you are walking Yr Wyddfa in June, we recommend skipping the Pyg, Miner’s or Llanberis paths and trying one of the alternative routes. You can find these on our Snowdon for Beginners Guide.
June is best for:
- • Walkers looking to maximise the likelihood of getting good weather and clear skies.
- • Visitors who want a sensational view that can stretch all the way to Ireland on the right day.
- • Newer walkers who want to feel safe, secure and surrounded by people on their first Yr Wyddfa walk.
Not for:
- • People who don’t appreciate a little wait to take their selfie at the summit.
- Walkers who don’t respond well to the summer heat.
July
As we make our way further into the summer, the weather improves, the days stretch out and visitor numbers continue to rise. There is no doubt July is a beautiful time to visit Eryri and there is often a lovely buzz around the local villages and towns. If you want to experience the area in July but don’t want to compete with the summer crowds, there are plenty of other incredible local walking routes to enjoy.
July is best for:
- • A pre-summer holiday adventure to explore Yr Wyddfa before the year’s busiest month.
- • Those willing to look beyond Eryri’s busiest spots and embrace its lesser-known treasures.
- • People interested in developing outdoor abilities on a mountain skills course.
Not for:
- • People who come ill-prepared for the summer conditions. Bring plenty of water!
- • Anyone who wants the mountain to themselves.
August
August is often the warmest month on Yr Wyddfa. Couple this with the school summer holidays and you get a big bump in visitor numbers. Thanks to the (hopefully) glorious weather, August is an exciting time to be in Eryri. Just make sure you are well prepared for the weather, stay hydrated and protect yourself against sun damage. And, because it’s the UK, keep an eye on the forecast and don’t assume you won’t need your waterproofs.
August is best for:
- • People who can’t visit at any other time and want to take advantage of the school summer holidays.
- • Walkers who are happy to take less busy routes up Yr Wyddfa.
- • Families giving their kids the first taste of the mountains.
Not for:
- • People climbing Yr Wyddfa in flip-flops. It may be summer but you still need adequate footwear!
- • Those who want to avoid the infamous Yr Wyddfa queue for a photo by the summit trig point.
September
After the heady summer excesses, Yr Wydffa starts to calm down again in September. The transition to autumn also results in a riot of colour, with red, yellows and golds erupting across the hillsides. This makes it one of the best times to visit Eryri and walk Yr Wyddfa.
September is best for:
- • Walkers who love kicking their way through fallen leaves and prefer slightly cooler temperatures.
- • Photographers and anyone who enjoys the colourful spectacle of autumn.
- • Walkers who are happy to take less busy routes up Yr Wyddfa.
Not for:
- • Those who insist on wearing summer gear even though the warmest days are most certainly behind us. It can get cold up there!
October
October marks the return of unpredictable weather and the likelihood of storms increases dramatically. While we’re not quite into winter yet, the conditions are not easy and change remarkably quickly. This makes it one of the most dangerous times to walk the mountain without a guide.
October is best for:
- • People heading to the summit on a guided walk or with the assistance of a local expert.
- • Experienced walkers who understand the dangers and can accurately assess the risks.
Not for:
- • New walkers who are easily deceived by seemingly benign conditions only for things to change quickly.
- • People who do not have a good understanding of local weather phenomena and don’t check the forecast.
November
We usually receive the first snow of the season in November and temperatures drop significantly. Ice can make reaching the summit tricky and potentially dangerous, so a guide is necessary if you don’t have winter experience yourself.
November is best for:
- • People who have been waiting to get the crampons back out since February.
- • Experienced walkers who want to develop their winter mountain skills.
- • Those who welcome the return of quieter trails and tracks.
Not for:
- • Walkers who have no experience in winter conditions or don’t understand the dangers.
December
As the year comes to a close, full winter conditions arrive and the mountain is regularly snow or ice-bound. While this is great news for all the winter mountain climbers out there, it does mean heading up Yr Wyddfa is usually too dangerous for newer walkers, unless accompanied by a trusted mountain professional. Our sister company, RAW Adventures, provides a Winter Skills course that can help anyone wanting to extend their current summer experience to walk in the mountains in winter.
December is best for:
- • The winter warriors who want to slip on the crampons and swing their ice axes.
Not for:
- • Everyone else.
Exploring Yr Wyddfa with Climb Snowdon
At Climb Snowdon, we live, breathe and dream Yr Wyddfa. We know it like the back of our hand and have climbed it more times than we can count. We’re based locally and walk the mountain in all conditions, all year round. This first-hand knowledge, coupled with our extensive mountain training, means we’re perfectly placed to help you get the most from your Yr Wyddfa experience.
Whether you want help with your first summit attempt or want us to introduce you to some of the quieter routes up the mountain, we can help. Simply check out our Guided Walks or reach out and contact the Climb Snowdon team. We would love to hear from you.