Snowdon Facts and History

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) is the highest mountain in Wales at 1,085 metres (3,560 feet). Located in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park in North Wales, it is one of the most visited mountains in Britain, attracting over 600,000 visitors each year.

Key Facts

The Name: Yr Wyddfa

In 2022, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park Authority voted to use the Welsh name "Yr Wyddfa" as the primary name for the mountain. The English name "Snowdon" remains in common use.

"Yr Wyddfa" translates approximately as "the tumulus" or "the burial mound", and in Welsh legend the summit is said to be the burial place of the giant Rhita Gawr, who wore a cloak made from the beards of kings he had defeated.

The English name "Snowdon" comes from the Old English "Snaw dun", meaning "snow hill" - a straightforward description of the mountain's often snow-capped summit.

Hafod Eryri - Summit Building

The summit of Snowdon features Hafod Eryri, a granite-clad building opened in 2009. It replaced an earlier summit cafe described by Prince Charles as "the highest slum in Wales". The building provides shelter, refreshments and interpretation when the Snowdon Mountain Railway is operating.

Snowdon Mountain Railway

The Snowdon Mountain Railway has been running since 1896. It is the only public rack-and-pinion railway in the United Kingdom, climbing from Llanberis to just below the summit. The railway runs from late March to October, weather permitting, and the journey takes approximately one hour each way.

Geology

Snowdon is formed from Ordovician volcanic rocks, approximately 450 million years old. The mountain is the remnant of an ancient volcano, and its rocks include volcanic tuffs (compacted volcanic ash), rhyolites and mudstones.

The dramatic landscape - the sharp ridges, deep cwms (corries) and steep cliffs - was largely shaped by glacial erosion during the last Ice Age. The classic horseshoe shape of the Snowdon massif, including the ridges of Crib Goch and Y Lliwedd, represents the remains of a glacial cirque.

Fossils of marine organisms found in the rocks indicate that these volcanic eruptions occurred beneath the sea.

History

Early History and Legend

Snowdon features prominently in Welsh mythology. In the Mabinogion, the mountain appears as a key location in the stories of early Welsh kings. The summit's name "Yr Wyddfa" connects to legends of giant burial mounds, giving the mountain a significance that extends far beyond its physical presence.

The Victorian Era

The construction of the Mountain Railway in 1896 opened Snowdon to mass tourism. Victorian visitors could ride to the summit and enjoy refreshments at the summit hotel. This era established Snowdon as one of Wales's premier tourist destinations.

The 2022 Name Change

In November 2022, Eryri National Park Authority voted to prioritise the Welsh name "Yr Wyddfa" in its communications. While not legally binding on others, this reflected a growing movement to use Welsh place names in Wales. The national park itself adopted "Eryri" as its primary name, alongside "Snowdonia".

Records and Notable Ascents

Fell Running

The Snowdon Race (Ras yr Wyddfa) has been run annually since 1976 from Llanberis to the summit and back.

Three Peaks Challenge

As the final peak on most National Three Peaks Challenge itineraries, Snowdon provides the climax of the 24-hour challenge. Despite being taller than Scafell Pike, the route from Pen-y-Pass involves less ascent because the car park is at a higher elevation.

Wildlife and Environment

Birds

• Chough - red-billed corvid, iconic Welsh bird seen on the ridges
• Ravens - common around the summit and cliffs
• Peregrine falcons - nesting on surrounding cliffs
• Ring ouzels - summer visitors to rocky slopes

Plants

Snowdon supports the Snowdon lily (Gagea serotina), one of Britain's rarest plants, found only on the mountain's north-facing cliffs. Other notable species include:

• Arctic-alpine plants in the high cwms
• Purple saxifrage on rock ledges
• Various rare mosses and liverworts

Mammals

• Feral goats - sometimes seen on the rocky slopes
• Polecats - present in the surrounding valleys

Conservation

Snowdon lies within Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. The mountain faces significant challenges from visitor erosion and litter. Path repair and maintenance is ongoing, funded by the national park authority and voluntary organisations.

Visitors are encouraged to follow the Countryside Code and avoid bringing single-use plastics to the mountain.

Comparison with Other Three Peaks

Snowdon is taller than Scafell Pike but involves less ascent from Pen-y-Pass because the car park sits at 359 metres. This makes it the least demanding climb of the three in terms of physical effort, though fatigue from the earlier peaks and driving is a factor.