Hiking Guide: Snowdon - Which Route Should You Take?

Exploring the Routes to the Summit: A Breakdown & Guide to Climbing Snowdon, Wales

Planning a walk up Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales? With a number of main paths to the summit, choosing the best route up Snowdon can feel overwhelming - especially if it’s your first time. In this guide, we're breaking down the most popular Snowdon hiking routes, highlighting the key features of each. Whether you’re a beginner, hiking with children or looking for a more challenging climb, there’s a perfect Snowdon trail for you. Let's explore!

Llanberis path: The Beginner's Choice

Height Climb: 975m

Distance: 9 miles (round trip)

If you're new to hiking and this is your first time up Snowdon, taking the Llanberis route may be your best option. The Llanberis path is widely considered the easiest route up Snowdon due to its reasonably steady and consistent climb. However, this also makes it the longest.

The Llanberis route has another advantage over all the others, which makes it ideal for beginners. The Snowdon mountain railway offers the possibility to park in Llanberis, walk to the summit of Snowdon, then take the train back down. Be aware that in peak season, and if the weather is good, trains can sell out so you may have to wait a while or possibly walk back down. For more information on the Snowdon Railway, visit their website here.

Miners Track: Suitable for Families

Height Climb: 723m

Distance: 7 miles (round trip)

The Miners track offers stunning views, even if you only manage to get part way up, making this a perfect choice for families with children. Sometimes it can be difficult for families to know if they will be able to complete the walk all the way up to Snowdon's summit, but taking the Miners track will still give you a view of the summit and opportunity to take some beautiful photos of the Snowdon horseshoe if you can only manage part of the journey.

The Miners track starts at the Pen-y-Pass car park, however this can fill up quickly early in the day. If this happens, you'll need to park in Nant Peris and get either a Sherpa bus or a taxi (or uber) to the car park to begin the walk. Don't let this extra step put you off taking this route - we've used the Sherpa bus many times and is simple to navigate, but is something to be aware of.

Watkin Path: The Next Level

Height Climb: 1015m

Distance : 8 miles (round trip)

Widely considered as the toughest route, Watkin offers its explorers incredible views and is definitely worth the effort if you're a keen hiker. The challenge comes towards the end, where the route gets particularly steep with plenty of scree and loose rock so we would only recommend this route to the more experienced hiker.

Snowdon Horseshoe: For The Thrill Seekers

Height Climb: 1062m

Distance: 7.5 miles (round trip)

The Snowdon Horseshoe is our favourite route and one we would highly recommend to experienced hikers. This route starts with a tough scramble up Crib Goch (watch out for the sheer drops either side) before following the ridge over Garnedd Ugain across to the Snowdon summit, continuing onto Y Lliwedd and back.

As with any climb on a mountain ridge this is best on a clear, calm day, not least for the great photographs and view you will get at the top.

No matter which route you choose, climbing Snowdon is an unforgettable experience that showcases the best of Wales’ natural beauty. Ready to plan your adventure? Let us know in the comments which Snowdon route you’re thinking of tackling - or share your experience if you’ve already made the climb!

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