Snowdon PYG track & Miners’ track

Distance – 7.3 – 8.12 miles (up and down) Time – 5-7 hours (up and down) 
Ascent – 750 meters Difficulty – 3/7

These two famous routes are very popular routes with challenges such as the Three Peaks. With both routes starting from the Pen-y-Pass and only a relatively small car park to facilitate both, you’ll be fighting for a space, even in the early hours of the morning. Both routes offer their own unique quirks, the PYG track is known to be the shortest walking route up Snowdon however it is rocky in places and can be steep but the path ways are generally very straightforward most of the way up. The Miners’ track is slightly longer than the PYG track at approximately 8.12miles and runs parallel to the PYG track, known to be one of the easier routes at the start this route offers a challenging steeper finish. You do need to be careful to follow the path round to the summit along the rocky pathway especially if attempting during the night or poor weather as you can easily lose the trail and end up in a dangerous situation. The thing that makes both of these routes a 3/7 on our difficulty scale is that as you get higher up the path can become dangerous, especially in windy/rainy conditions which is pretty common in Wales!

Dan’s Tips 

“I climbed the PYG track whilst on a Three Peaks Challenge back in 2015. We decided to leave Snowdon to last which meant that we were climbing the mountain in the dark. When climbing in the dark it gives you a totally different perspective of everything, the rock looks different, the path blends into the rock and it’s quite easy to get lost! Fortunately we were with others who had been up the trail before and knew it well, the night we had was clear, starry and stunning! The moon shone on the mountain and lit everything up for us, almost showing us the path up. The PYG track feels long, it winds and twists through the mountain path going up and then down for what feels like a long time until you reach the pathway towards the summit. As you come around the corner which looks over Glaslyn you can see the summit on a clear day and then you can see how far you have to go… not always a good thing depending on your mindset. The pathway then starts to go up the side of the mountain which offers some challenging sections along some fairly steep pathways, this does offer some excitement to this walk, it’s here you need to be careful when climbing at night as you can easily lose the pathway.  The pathway continues up and then it’s a fairly straightforward walk to the top, overall this is an enjoyable pathway but with the limited parking at the bottom, the starting place for many Three Peak Challenges, and the long pathway, I would say that if this is your first time up Snowdon to take a different route like the Ranger path or, Llanberis path for easier access and easier route to climb.”

Rhyd Ddu Path

Distance – 7.2 miles (up and down) Time – 6 hours (up and down) 
Ascent – 859 meters Difficulty – 4/7

The Rhyd Ddu Path gets a 4/7 in our books! The main reason for this is due to the steep incline towards the middle zig zags, the high and steep crossing of Bwlch Main and the rocky pathway which is at a high altitude. There are stunning viewpoints all along this route and plenty of opportunities to get the camera out but do be careful of the drops at Bwlch Main. There is still a very good pathway that follows the route all the way through Bwlch Main however, if you don’t have a head for heights then you may feel a little uneasy along this route. The pathway at the top offers around a 2.5meter wide path in places with drops on either side, on a clear day this can be quite daunting but there is plenty of room to pass others and continue up to the top with little to no issues at all, on a windy day this can feel very different!

Dan’s Tips 

“I’ve now been up this route three times and I have to say it’s my favourite route to go up. I have always stayed at a lovely camp site just up the road from the start of the trail (http://www.snowdoninn.co.uk/accommodation/campsite/) it’s in a really beautiful setting with great facilities, and being that it’s owned by the Cwellyn Arms pub you don’t have to go far for a pint and some great food after a long walk. The route itself starts a short drive from the campsite (you can walk but we tend to park in the car park at the train station and walk from there) otherwise it’s another mile or two up the road. The route itself starts by going through some fields surrounded by farmland and sheep! You pass a quarry and slowly work your way up the mountain path. As you climb higher there are some steeper parts which when wet can be a little slippy, so you will need to make sure you have some good walking boots with you, the views just get better and better the higher you go. I’ve had a real mixed bag of weather the times I’ve climbed, 2 out of the three times have been total white outs from about the midway point to the top, the one-time which was good…it was too dark to see anything as we did a night walk however, this doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the trek. Just over the half way point you come across a steep incline and a zig zag section, this is hard going and if you are not particularly fit this will be a challenge, however, take your time, and take in the surroundings as you climb higher. Towards the top you then reach the Bwlch Main which does help if you have a head for heights, especially on a clear day! It’s a long way down, and with the wind whipping through, you can get a sense of danger, but that’s what I love about trekking up mountains, the sense of being free and surrounded by nature, there is nothing better! As you climb over the craggy rocks you come across what seems to be the summit on a few occasions until you pass the last fake summit and see the side of the café, I’ve always been in two minds about the café, I love it because there is a toilet and a hot cup of tea (on good days!) but then I don’t like it because… there is a café at the top of the mountain.. either way It’s a good way of knowing you have made it, and then a short climb up some steps you are at the top! I’m yet to see the incredible view from the top along this path but I will one day! Overall this route offers amazing views, a fairly quick way up and down, and if you do struggle with heights, a good way of testing yourself without putting yourself out of your comfort zone.”

Crib Goch 

Distance – 6.1 miles (up and down) Time – 6 hours (up and down) 
Ascent – 763 meters Difficulty – 7/7

Starting from the same car park as the Miners’ & PYG Track, Crib Goch has made its name as the hardest climb/scramble across to the summit of Snowdon for many reasons. You will need experience, a head for heights and thirst for a very difficult challenge. Crib Goch exposes you to all the elements, you shouldn’t need ropes and shouldn’t find any section too technical however, this is not a route for the inexperienced. If you have never attempted a Grade 1 scramble, or are new to mountain walking, then avoid this route. Only attempt this route if you know what you are doing, have experience with mountain climbing, and know that the weather is going to be on your side. To climb it in poor conditions is difficult enough for the experienced climber amongst us. If you are comfortable with all this then Crib Goch can offer the most incredible views, an exciting challenge, and we would say one of the most challenging routes in the UK.