I am walking the Camino Ingles in Northern Spain in a few weeks but before that we wanted to have a tough climb in the UK to help with the training..
We were climbing Mount Snowdon in Wales and am doing it with a great bunch of colleagues on a rainy day in May.
Mount Snowdon in Wales
Mount Snowdon, known as “Yr Wyddfa” in Welsh, stands proudly as the highest point in both Wales and England.
It’s part of the Snowdonia National Park, which spans 823 square miles of stunning natural beauty in northwest Wales.
The mountain itself rises to an impressive height of 3,560 feet (1,085 meters) above sea level.
Mount Snowdon Routes
Mount Snowdon is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts. Its challenging slopes and varied terrain offer options for climbers and hikers of all levels. There are several paths leading to the summit, each with its own unique character.
Llanberis Path: Known as the “Tourist Path,” this route starts near the Snowdon Mountain Railway and is one of the more popular options. It offers a gradual ascent, making it accessible to beginners.
Miners’ Track: This path begins near the Pen-y-Pass car park and offers spectacular views of the mountain’s glacial features and surrounding lakes.
Pyg Track: Starting at Pen-y-Pass, the Pyg Track is named after the pass it traverses. It’s a challenging route that rewards hikers with breathtaking vistas.
Crib Goch: Not for the faint of heart, this route is famous for its exposed ridge walk. It’s a scramble that demands both nerves of steel and mountaineering skills.
Watkin Path: The Watkin Path, named after Sir Edward Watkin who financed its construction, is one of the more strenuous routes. It takes you through lush forests before ascending the mountain’s south side.
Our First Attempt: Battling the 'Beast from the East'
Our original plan to conquer Mount Snowdon was foiled by none other than the notorious ‘Beast from the East.’
Yep, Mother Nature decided to throw us a curveball, with temperatures plummeting to a bone-chilling -26 degrees Celsius at the summit.
Frankly, we couldn’t blame the mountain for wanting some alone time in that frigid weather!
We were all geared up, mentally and physically, for the challenge. But safety first, right? So, with a heavy heart, we decided to postpone our adventure.
Scaling Snowdon is one thing, but facing the Beast from the East at its iciest was a whole different ball game.
Take Two: A Date with Destiny on March 13th
Fast forward to March 13th, and we were back in action. The weather was much more favorable, though it was still bound to be nippy at the peak. But hey, that’s part of the thrill, isn’t it?
Our journey began at the crack of dawn, or more precisely, around 8:30 am. But before we delve into the climb, let’s set the stage. Imagine us standing outside the iconic Snowdon train station, excitement in the air and cameras poised.
Yep, we had to snap that classic pre-hike photo, a testament to the adventure ahead. The team outside the train station at the bottom on Mount Snowdon.
The first mile walking was a killer. Straight upwards with no let off to really get the blood boiling. The summit looks miles away.
The views on the way up were spectacular.
Our team of 9 settled in and for the next 3.5 hrs took our time assisting each other and walking slowly.
The climb up turned out to be relatively easy but you are always walking upwards and the ascent doesn’t stop at all.
We took breaks along the way eventually arriving just short of the summit where the Pyg track meets the Llanberis route.
Thank god we didn’t come up that route as it looked really hard with all the snow and ice covering the tracks.
We decided to have some lunch here and wait for some colleagues that were behind us so we could all traverse the summit at the same time.
From here it still looks miles away….
But we made it in about half and hour and what an achievement ! We all walked to the summit together as a team. Brilliant
What a day it was and great to do with the team from work. A real team approach and a fantastic video to remember the day. Hope you like it.
Mount Snowdon - Conclusion
The walk up Mount Snowdon was exhilarating and a perfect walk in the late Spring.
Would I walk this route in the height of summer ? I mount it as I think the train to the top is working so the mountain is full of tourists.
I would recommend walking it when the train is still inactive and there is snow at the top. Take your time and you’ll have a lovely hike to the summit.
Other UK Walks
Check out these other long walks from around the UK:
- The Worcestershire Way
- The Dales Way
- the South West Coast Path
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