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Three Yr Wyddfa Summit Walks

Climb Snowdon - Three Yr Wyddfa Summit Walks

At Climb Snowdon, we know Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) like the back of our hands. We’ve spent years walking the endless trails and exploring every corner of our favourite mountain. Now, all that experience and expertise has been distilled into a brilliant book by our very own Kate Worthington. Entitled Mountain Walks – Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon, it features 15 of the best walking routes on Yr Wyddfa and in the surrounding area.

To celebrate the book’s release, we’ve picked out three Yr Wyddfa summit walks to share with you.

1. Yr Wyddfa via Snowdon Mountain Railway

Our first Yr Wyddfa summit walk involves next to no uphill walking, thanks to the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Taking the historic steam train from Llanberis up to the summit visitor centre, you get to soak up the breathtaking views before enjoying a steady descent back down to the village. This makes it a fantastic option for walkers who want to minimise the amount of ascent involved and families with children who struggle with a full up-and-down walk.

Essentials

  • Distance: 10.5 km/6.5 miles
  • Ascent: 130m
  • Descent: 1,118m
  • Difficulty: 2/4

Directions

  1. Board the Snowdon Mountain Railway at the Llanberis and enjoy the thrillingly steep ascent to the summit visitor centre. On arrival, turn left and head up the stone steps to the summit cairn.
  2. To descend, orientate yourself north – the railway line should be on your left. Turn left and pick up the stony Snowdon Ranger Path that descends to the railway line and crosses it. You will follow this path for 3 km, heading west-north-west for the most part.
  3. Follow the path down to a metal boundary gate, pass through and continue for another 1 km until you reach another large metal gate. At the junction just after the gate, turn right on the public bridleways signposted Llanberis.
  4. After passing through two more gates, a 2.5 km descent eventually reaches a gate and an old building labelled Brithdir on maps. Pass through the gate, turn right at the building and pass through another gate, following the footpath over the Afon Arddu bridge.
  5. Keep left as the path splits after the bridge, continue on the path across the railway line and turn left past the tea house when you reach the tarmac lane. Follow this down to the Royal Victoria Hotel and turn left back to the station.

2. Yr Wyddfa & Yr Aran via the Watkin Path

A spectacularly rugged walk that visits the summits of both Yr Wyddfa and Yr Aran, this route takes you along the UK’s first officially designated footpath – the Watkin Path. As well as incredible views of Eryri, it features a whole lot of history, including the remains of the Snowdon Slate Quarry and the famous Gladstone Rock. One for walkers with a good general fitness level and history fans alike!

Essentials

  • Distance: 14.5 km/9 miles
  • Ascent: 1,310m
  • Time: 5 Hours
  • Difficulty: 3/4

Directions

  1. Starting at the Pont Bethania Car Park, cross the A498 from the car park public toilets and join the Watkin Path at the junction with a small lane. It is signposted Llwybr Watkin Path. Follow the path up for 3 km until it levels out at Afon Cwm Llan.
  2. Follow the Watkin Path over the footbridge and up the zig-zag section to the ridge of Bwlch Ciliau. Turn left towards the slopes of Yr Wyddfa and head north-west towards the top of the Watkin Path, ignoring any less-established paths that look like shortcuts.
  3. At the stone marking the top of the Watkin Path, turn right and walk up to the summit of Yr Wyddfa. When ready to descend, head back to the stone at the top of the path but, this time, follow the Rhyd Ddu Path south-west 700 m along the rocky ridgeline.
  4. Here, the Rhyd Ddu Path drops down, but you will continue along the ridgeline toward Bwlch Cwm Llan. Descend in the direction of Yr Aran, keeping right to avoid the trickier terrain. The final ascent to Yr Aran requires you to turn right up a rough path lined with old metal fence posts until you reach the summit.
  5. Retrace your steps down from the summit until you see a style that allows you to cross the fenceline you followed up. Turn right, cross the style and follow the path down to a flatter section and you see a stony path on your left.
  6. Descend the grassy slopes and head north-east through the old copper mining area until you reach the old tramway. Cross the tramway, pick up the established trail that descends to meet the Watkin Path and turn right, retracing your steps to the car park.

3. Yr Wyddfa via Rhyd Ddu Path and South Ridge

This striking route covers Yr Wyddfa’s lesser-frequented western slopes, making it an excellent option for walkers who prefer quieter trails. The scenery is no less beautiful, though. The walk also gives you an opportunity to check out Rhyd Ddu, an atmospheric old mining village with plenty of character.

Essentials

  • Distance: 13 km/8.1 miles
  • Ascent: 920m
  • Time: 5.5 Hours
  • Difficulty: 3/4

Directions

  1. Departing from the pay and display car park at Rhyd Ddu station, follow the Yr Wyddfa signpost to the bottom of the Rhyd Ddu Path. Follow the path for 1.5 km until you reach a crossroads. Continue following the signposted route northeast for 2 km up to the Llechog ridgeline.
  2. On reaching the ridgeline, follow the path left, up the zig-zag section and along one of the finest sections of trail on the mountain. You will pass the visitor centre on your left before reaching the summit.
  3. Retrace your steps past the visitor centre, passing a fingerstone pointing to the Rhyd Ddu and Watkin paths and continuing south-west for 700 m along Bwlch Main. When you reach a junction, take the path south that descends via Yr Wyddfa’s rugged South Ridge and heads towards Bwlch Cwm Llan.
  4. At Bwlch Cwm Llan, turn right and follow the rocky path in the general direction of Rhyd Ddu. Continue straight down to the village.

Yr Wyddfa summit walks with Climb Snowdon

Packed full of valuable information and insightful details, Kate’s book contains detailed directions (more detailed than those featured here), maps, elevation charts, practical travel, transport and amenities suggestions, and wonderfully inspiring photography. And it all comes in a handy, pocket-sized format that will take up next to no space in your hiking day bag.

Containing 15 excellent routes compiled using Kate’s unrivalled local walking expertise, it’s a fantastic way to experience Yr Wyddfa in all its glory. Pick up your copy of Mountain Walks – Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon.