Snowdon - Yr Wyddfa

Snowdon, Yr Wyddfa in Welsh, is the highest mountain in Wales, standing 1085 metres high. It is located in the Snowdonia National Park (Eryri in Welsh) in North Wales. Snowdon has many varied routes to the summit.

While Snowdon has many paths with varying difficulty, most Three Peaks Challengers will follow either the Pyg Track or Miners Track, leaving from the Pen-y-Pass car park, on the A4086. While this car park can be full at weekends, further parking is available either to the East, at Pen-y-Gwryd, or to the West at Nant Perris. Shuttle buses run every half hour or so during busy times, between all three car parks.

Both the PYG track and Miners track are marked on the OS Explorer OL17 Map (at the Three Peaks Shop).

Snowdon Carpark Postcode

The postcode for the Pen y Pass car park at Snowdon is LL55 4NY - parking here needs to be pre-booked via JustPark, costing from £18 for 8 hours.

Snowdon Bus Service

On Saturdays from Easter Saturday to the end of October, the S6 Bws Gwennol SHERPA Shuttle Bus operates regularly between Bangor, Bethesda, Llyn Ogwen and Pen y Pass.

Accommodation at Snowdon

Routes on Snowdon

Pyg Track

Starting from the Pen-y-Pass car park, the Pyg Track leaves from the higher level area of the car park. Beginning briefly as a tarmac path, it is mostly rocky with steps towards the top. A large upright stone half an hour from the top marks the join of the Miners Track. A second marker stone below the final ascent points you towards the summit.

The Pyg track includes a distance of 7 miles, 11km, up and down, and an ascent of 723 metres, and is shown below in blue.

Llanberis Path

The straightforward Llanberis path is shown above in red. This is quite a direct route from the town to the north of Snowdon, and we use this to descend the mountain on our Open events. The Pyg Track starts higher so the Llanberis path requires more ascent.

Miners Track

The Miners Track also begins from Pen-y-Pass, but leaves from the opposite side of the car park. The Miners Track is largely smooth, as it winds around Llyn Teyrn, Llyn Llydaw and Glaslyn - the three lakes leading to the peak of Snowdon. The Miners Track then ascends quickly, to join the Pyg Track, and continue to the peak of Snowdon. When descending, the Miners Track intersection with the Pyg Track is marked by a large standing stone.

Also starting from the Pen y Pass car park, the Miner's Track also ascends 723 metres, and is 8 miles, 13km, up and down.

Snowdon Pyg Track GPS route

Right click and 'Save As' here, to download Snowdon Pyg Track route for GPS devices. Click here for the Llanberis route.

See the map of Snowdon in full screen.

Transport to and from Snowdon

Most groups completing the Three Peaks Challenge will arrive here by car or minibus - there is limited parking available at Pen y Pass, which needs to be pre-booked. Much more parking is available in Llanberis.

Travelling home from Snowdon by train is best done from Bangor, half an hour from Llanberis by bus or taxi. Bangor has good connections to the north and south via the West Midlands.