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Snowdon via the Watkins path

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Snowdon via the Watkins path

Hard

4.8

(129)

1,561

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

The first part of the Watkin trail ascends gradually. A good start.

Translated by Google •

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1.93 km

Plas Cwm Llan Ruins and Waterfalls

Highlight (Segment) • Historical Site

The ruins are remains of industrial activities such as copper mines and slate quarries. The waterfalls and rapids themselves are beautiful to see. This is an ideal location to take a break, possibly have a picnic along the water. Those who dare to brave the (very) cold water on a sunny day can also have some water fun here.

Translated by Google •

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2.68 km

Gladstone Rock

Highlight • Monument

The Watkin Path, named after its creator Edward Watkin (a friend of Gladstone’s), was the first designated footpath in Britain. At the time of its construction, there was no path to the actual summit of Snowdon, only a path just over a quarter of the way up to a quarry.

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.

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3.29 km

Slate Quarry Ruins on the Watkin Path

Highlight • Historical Site

Here the path bends to the right. The ruins include a number of walls and a mountain of slate chunks next to them.

Translated by Google •

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5.37 km

View Along the Watkin Path, Snowdon

Highlight • Trail

Beautiful views everywhere (mountains, lakes, trails, nature, ...)

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6.60 km

Snowdon Summit (Yr Wyddfa)

Highlight • Summit

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) is perhaps the most ascended mountain in the world, and with good reason. This is a majestic mountain, as is befitting of Wales' highest point.

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

Surfaces

4.44 km

3.16 km

2.45 km

2.44 km

752 m

120 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Thursday 9 July

29°C

11°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 11.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

December 27, 2024,Snowdon Watkins path

Absolutely stunning up snowdon today, no wind, blue skies and quite mild, surprisingly quite a few people about...another trip for the memory bank

June 5, 2024,🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Snowdon via Watkin pad - Snowdonia - Wales

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 …

Showing Translation

March 30, 2024,Snowdon via Watkin path

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.

October 18, 2024,Snowdon via the Watkins path

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 …

July 29, 2021,Snowdon... Watkin Path

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

August 14, 2023,Wanderung nach Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa)

Fantastic hike, despite drizzle and 15 degrees.

Showing Translation

May 18, 2025,Watkins Path to Snowdon Summit & Down Miners Trail

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 !

October 22, 2023,Eryri - Yr Wydffa Watkin Path

Watkin Path to the summit of Yr Wydffa and returning via Bwlch Main and then a scramble down the old South Snowdon Inclined Tramway.

*Warning*

The scramble down the Old Tramway has a difficult slope aspect and would be best avoided in rain or icy conditions.

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Snowdon via the Watkins path

Watkin Path Waterfalls and Bridge, Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri

Plas Cwm Llan Ruins and Waterfalls

Gladstone Rock

Slate Quarry Ruins on the Watkin Path

View Along the Watkin Path, Snowdon

Snowdon Summit (Yr Wyddfa)

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