The best walks and hikes in Snowdonia

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.