Snowdon via the Watkins path
Snowdon via the Watkins path
4.8
(122)
1,521
hikers
Snowdon via the Watkins path
05:17
13.4km
980m
Hiking
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: June 4, 2024
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
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737 m
Watkin Path Waterfalls and Bridge, Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
Translated by Google •
Tip by
1.93 km
Plas Cwm Llan Ruins and Waterfalls
Highlight (Segment) • Historical Site
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2.68 km
Gladstone Rock
Highlight • Monument
Over 2,000 people gathered here on the side of Snowdon in 1892 to witness Gladstone opening the Watkin Path. From on top of an impressive 12 foot (3.6 m) boulder, the Prime Minister delivered a speech on Justice for Wales, not to mention sung some ‘Cymric hymns’ himself.
A plaque fitted to the front of the boulder commemorates what was sure to have been a memorable occasion, announcing that indeed William Gladstone had stood upon the rock.
Tip by
3.29 km
Slate Quarry Ruins on the Watkin Path
Highlight • Historical Site
Translated by Google •
Tip by
5.37 km
View Along the Watkin Path, Snowdon
Highlight • Trail
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6.60 km
Snowdon Summit (Yr Wyddfa)
Highlight • Summit
Its glory lies in the myriad routes to the summit. There's everything from the gentle inclines of the Llanberis path to the knife-edged arête of Crib Goch. The south side of the mountain is generally quieter, with the South Ridge in particular a fine route up. The Miners' and Pyg Tracks are straightforward, classic approaches that enter the incredible natural amphitheatre that holds Llyn Llydaw and Glaslyn.
To get the summit to yourself, rise early and avoid peak season.
Tip by
13.4 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
6.33 km
5.66 km
752 m
481 m
120 m
< 100 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
4.44 km
3.16 km
2.45 km
2.44 km
752 m
120 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
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Weather
Powered by Foreca
Wednesday 6 May
12°C
4°C
15 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
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Trail Reviews
Absolutely stunning up snowdon today, no wind, blue skies and quite mild, surprisingly quite a few people about...another trip for the memory bank
The Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh) was also on our program this week. Reasonably good and clear weather was forecast. And that was right. The weather was also clear at the top. We chose the Watkin trail. This path is one of six main routes to the summit of Yr Wyddfa. It starts just above sea level and rises steeply along the southern slopes of the Yr Wyddfa massif. You pass a section of loose stone rubble before finally joining the Rhyd Ddu path. From this point it is a short distance to the top. When approaching the top, you first arrive at a kind of cafeteria with toilets and other facilities. This is also the terminus of a special train connection from Lanberris, the Snowdon Mountain Railway. The actual summit is still a few meters higher. And after a rest, back down again. Which I find much more difficult 😉
A few inches of snow at the summit, the last 600 metres would have been easier eith spikes. Very disappointing to see so msny people iil prepared at the top and dropping so much litter.
What a way to complete my 90th walk on Komoot, I feel like I was lucky today. The weather was none too accurate on the komoot app, or Yr Wyddfa makes it's own weather, it's one of those. Hellish wind and rain descended on us about a mile from the summit. Good sense told us to turn back so of course we buggered on! Proper sense of achievement this time. A great walk with my good Irish mates and Tom the sheep farmer joined us, we are honoured!
As always a bit of some would say bad planning, we ended up on the long and steeper side of the mountain 😅 nice hail stone storm to greet us just before the summit for an constant hour 🥶😂thats wales for you!
Great route to avoid the crowds... start early and you feel like your the only one on the mountain... fairytale woodland, waterfalls, rock pools, Gladstone Rock, then a challenging final scramble and ridge (not for the fainthearted) before meeting adjoining paths to the summit
Fantastic hike, despite drizzle and 15 degrees.
Sadly Koomot stopped tracking once we got down to the Mountain Lakes off the Miners trail but we finished at Pen Y Pass 10miles round trip !