Snowdon Parking

Parking for Snowdon depends on your chosen route. The most popular starting point for the Pyg Track and Miners Track is the Pen-y-Pass car park. Alternative parking is available at Nant Peris and Llanberis, with Sherpa shuttle buses connecting them.

Pen-y-Pass Car Park

The Pen-y-Pass car park is the starting point for the Pyg Track and Miners Track, the two most popular routes on Snowdon and the routes used for most Three Peaks Challenges.

Parking at Pen-y-Pass must be pre-booked. The car park fills quickly, particularly on weekends from spring through autumn. Book well in advance for weekend visits.

Nant Peris (Pont y Gromlech)

Alternative parking to the west of Pen-y-Pass, served by the Sherpa shuttle bus to Pen-y-Pass.

Pen-y-Gwryd

Parking to the east of Pen-y-Pass, near the famous Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel where the 1953 Everest expedition team trained.

Llanberis

Llanberis is the starting point for the Llanberis Path, the longest but most gradual route up Snowdon. Several car parks are available in the town.

On Guided Three Peaks events, groups often ascend via the Pyg Track from Pen-y-Pass and descend the Llanberis Path. A support vehicle meets them in Llanberis.

Sherpa Shuttle Bus (S6 Bws Gwennol)

The S6 Sherpa bus operates on Saturdays from Easter Saturday to the end of October, running regularly between Bangor, Bethesda, Llyn Ogwen, Pen-y-Gwryd, Pen-y-Pass and Nant Peris.

This is useful if you park at Nant Peris or Pen-y-Gwryd and need to reach Pen-y-Pass for the Pyg Track or Miners Track.

Overnight Parking

For Three Peaks Challenges, Snowdon is typically the final peak, reached in the early morning. Pre-booking at Pen-y-Pass is essential and should cover the expected duration of your climb. Note that Sherpa shuttle buses do not operate early in the morning.

Busy Periods

Snowdon is extremely popular and parking fills quickly during:

• Summer weekends and bank holidays
• Good weather days from spring through autumn
• School holidays

Pen-y-Pass often fills before 8am on busy summer weekends. Three Peaks Challenge participants arriving in the early morning (typically 3-6am) usually find parking available if pre-booked.

Arriving by Public Transport

By Train

Bangor railway station (approximately 10 miles from Pen-y-Pass) is served by Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales services. From Bangor, the Sherpa bus provides connections to Pen-y-Pass on Saturdays.

By Bus

The S2 bus runs between Caernarfon, Llanberis and Bangor. From Llanberis, you can walk directly to the start of the Llanberis Path or take the Sherpa shuttle to Pen-y-Pass.

Driving Distances (Three Peaks)

For National Three Peaks Challenge participants:

• From Wasdale Head (Scafell Pike): Approximately 170 miles, 3.5-4 hours

Snowdon is typically the final peak, reached via the M6, M56 and A55.