The best walks and hikes in Gwynedd

Embark on the Snowdon via Pyg and Miners' Track Loop, a moderate hiking route that takes you to the summit of Yr Wyddfa. This 7.7 miles (12.3 km) journey involves a significant ascent of 2245 feet (684 metres), typically completed in about 4 hours and 56 minutes. As you climb the Pyg Track, you'll experience dramatic mountain scenery, with views opening up towards Llanberis Pass and the imposing cliffs of Y Lliwedd. The return via the Miners' Track offers a different perspective, tracing the shores of Llyn Llydaw and Llyn Glaslyn, providing a varied and engaging experience.

Your adventure begins at Pen-y-Pass, a high starting point that helps reduce the overall vertical climb to Snowdon's summit. Be aware that parking here is very limited and often requires advance booking, particularly during busy periods. It's highly recommended to explore public transport options to reach the trailhead, ensuring a smoother start to your hike. Both the Pyg and Miners' Tracks are rated as strenuous by the National Park Authority, so come prepared with a good level of fitness and essential navigation skills for a safe and enjoyable outing.

This popular circular trail offers more than just a summit experience; it's a journey through the rich history of Eryri / Snowdonia National Park. The Miners' Track, in particular, follows the historic routes once used by quarrymen, passing old mining structures and a notable stone causeway across Llyn Llydaw. This blend of natural beauty and industrial heritage makes the route a distinctive way to explore Snowdon's majestic landscape.

The Cadair Idris loop on the Minffordd path offers a challenging hike, covering 6.5 miles (10.5 km) with a significant elevation gain of 2776 feet (846 metres). You can expect to spend around 5 hours and 8 minutes on this difficult route. It begins with a steep climb through the wooded gorge of Nant Cadair, where you will see impressive waterfalls. The path then opens up, circling the dramatic glacial lake of Llyn Cau, nestled beneath towering cliffs. As you ascend towards the summit, Penygadair, you'll get glimpses of the peak and eventually be rewarded with panoramic views across southern Snowdonia and the coast.

This difficult route requires a good level of fitness due to its consistent steepness. While the path is generally easy to follow, some sections are very steep and can be tricky, with loose rocks underfoot. Be prepared for a demanding hike, and note that navigation skills are essential for certain parts of the trail. Always check local conditions before you go.

The Minffordd path is celebrated as one of the most picturesque routes up Cadair Idris, offering diverse landscapes from ancient woodlands to expansive mountain vistas. Cadair Idris, meaning "Idris's Chair," is steeped in Welsh mythology; legends say anyone spending a night on the peak will wake up a poet or a "madman." This trail also provides a less crowded experience compared to other peaks in northern Snowdonia, making its challenging ascent even more rewarding.

Embark on a difficult 8.2-mile (13.3 km) loop up Snowdon via the Watkin Path, starting from Nant Gwynant. This route offers a significant challenge with 3212 feet (979 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 5 hours and 21 minutes to complete. You will begin by winding through ancient woodlands and past the Rhaeadrau Waterfalls, before the path opens up to reveal impressive mountain views and eventually leads to a tough uphill scree climb towards the summit, offering vistas of Snowdon's South Ridge and Yr Aran.

Planning your hike requires good fitness, sturdy shoes, and sure-footedness, especially for the upper sections where the terrain becomes loose, rocky, and very steep. The path starts at a low elevation, giving it the greatest total ascent of all Snowdon routes. In winter, this challenging part demands extreme care and appropriate equipment like micro-spikes or crampons, as the path can lose definition and navigation becomes difficult in poor weather.

The Watkin Path holds historical importance as Britain's first designated footpath, opened in 1892 by Prime Minister William Gladstone, whose speech from Gladstone Rock is a notable detail along the way. This trail is often quieter than other routes, providing a more serene experience, and offers a greater variety of natural scenery, from woodlands to open mountain. You will also pass Bwlch y Saethau, a pass steeped in legend, believed to be where King Arthur fought his treacherous son Mordred.

Embark on the Llyn Idwal loop from Ogwen Cottage, an easy 3.0-mile (4.8 km) hike that takes about 1 hour and 32 minutes to complete, with an elevation gain of 658 feet (201 metres). You will experience a dramatic glacial landscape with rugged, rocky terrain and uneven paths. The trail offers spectacular views of the crystal-clear Llyn Idwal, nestled within Cwm Idwal, and is framed by towering peaks like Tryfan and Glyder Fawr. Keep an eye out for the prominent Idwal Slabs, popular with rock climbers, and cascading streams along the way.

Starting from Ogwen Cottage, this route is generally accessible for most fitness levels, providing a mountain experience without excessive physical effort. However, some sections are moderately strenuous with steep, rough mountain paths, especially as you gain height towards the southern end of the lake. Due to the stony and sometimes boggy ground, sturdy hiking boots are essential for sure-footedness, particularly after rain. The path is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

This area is home to Cwm Idwal National Nature Reserve, Wales' first, renowned for its impressive ice-sculpted landscape and unique plant life. The crater-like Cwm Idwal is a result of significant geological activity, making it one of the best places to observe glacial aftermath in the National Park; Charles Darwin even conducted scientific work here. You can also see iconic features like the

The Snowdon Horseshoe is a difficult hiking route that promises epic mountain scenery and panoramic views across Eryri / Snowdonia National Park. This circular trail covers 7.7 miles (12.4 km) and involves a significant 2853 feet (870 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 5 hours and 50 minutes to complete. As you navigate the route, you will experience the vast Cwm Dyli, with the dark waters of Llyn Llydaw visible far below. You'll also traverse iconic sections like the Crib Goch Ridge, a true knife-edge scramble, before summiting four major peaks, including Snowdon Summit (Yr Wyddfa) and Y Lliwedd. Prepare for expansive vistas across the rugged peaks of Snowdonia on this challenging adventure.

Before you set out, be aware that this route is extremely challenging and demands a strong head for heights, good physical fitness, and prior scrambling experience. It is crucial to avoid the Snowdon Horseshoe in poor weather, high winds, or icy conditions, as these can make the route dangerous. The trailhead at Pen y Pass is a popular starting point, but parking often requires advance booking, so plan your visit carefully to secure your spot. Always check local conditions and forecasts before attempting this demanding hike.

This iconic route is renowned for its dramatic landscape, wrapping around the vast Cwm Dyli and offering a unique perspective of the region's geology. It stands out in Snowdonia for its combination of high peaks and exposed ridge walking, making it a true test of mountain skills. The trail's distinct character, with its challenging scrambles and breathtaking vistas, sets it apart as a premier mountaineering experience in the park. It's a journey that connects you deeply with the rugged beauty and ancient history of Eryri.

Embark on the Y Garn to Glyder Fach loop for a challenging hike through Snowdonia National Park's dramatic terrain. This moderate route covers 5.6 miles (9.0 km) with a significant elevation gain of 2785 feet (849 metres), typically taking around 4 hours and 21 minutes to complete. You will navigate rocky paths, scree sections, and bouldery ascents, experiencing the

Embark on an easy 2.6-mile (4.2 km) hike around Llyn Idwal, a crystal-clear lake nestled within the dramatic glacial landscape of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. This loop, which you can complete in about 1 hour and 11 minutes with an elevation gain of 312 feet (95 metres), offers breathtaking views of ice-sculpted Cwm Idwal and towering peaks like Tryfan. While the path is generally stony and clear, be prepared for sections that can be rugged, rocky, or slippery, especially as you pass under Devil's Kitchen, an area known for its huge boulders.

Starting from Ogwen Cottage, the trail is easily accessible, making it suitable for most skill levels. The cottage itself provides convenient amenities, including a car park, information, and refreshments, ensuring a smooth start and finish to your adventure. Although the loop itself avoids significant climbing, some sections leading up to the lake involve steeper, rough mountain paths, so wear appropriate footwear and be ready for varied terrain.

This trail offers a unique opportunity to experience a dramatic mountainous environment without excessive physical effort. Cwm Idwal holds the distinction of being Wales' oldest National Nature Reserve, showcasing a unique ice-sculpted valley and world-famous rock formations like the Idwal Slabs. The combination of the serene Llyn Idwal and the imposing surrounding peaks makes this a distinctive and memorable walk within the national park.

Embark on a challenging yet rewarding hike through the dramatic glacial landscape of Cwm Idwal and up Y Garn, starting from Ogwen Cottage. This moderate to hard loop covers 4.6 miles (7.3 km) with a significant elevation gain of 1985 feet (605 metres), typically taking around 3 hours and 6 minutes to complete. You will navigate varied terrain, from stone-surfaced paths around tranquil Llyn Idwal to rough, steep ground and scrambling sections through the iconic Devil's Kitchen, all while surrounded by high crags and breathtaking panoramic views across Snowdonia from Y Garn's summit.

Before you set out, be prepared for demanding conditions; good walking boots are essential due to uneven and potentially slippery surfaces, especially after rain. The trail is exposed, so you should be ready for changing weather and have some mountain experience. The ascent to Y Garn, particularly via Devil's Kitchen, requires sure-footedness and a good level of fitness, as it involves sustained steep climbs and descents. Always check the weather forecast before heading out to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

This area holds immense geological and ecological significance, with Cwm Idwal being Wales' first designated National Nature Reserve. It showcases spectacular glacial landforms and unique geology, which even Charles Darwin studied in 1842. The route is also home to rare Arctic and alpine plants, adding to its biodiversity. Y Garn, the tenth highest mountain in Wales, offers some of the best views in Snowdonia and is often a quieter alternative to other popular peaks, providing a memorable connection to the region's natural history and beauty.