At a glance
Snowdonia contains the highest mountain in England and Wales (Snowdon, 1,085 m) and some of the finest ridge walking in Britain. 22 verified routes from gentle valley walks to serious mountain days.
Safety information
Welsh mountains demand respect. Conditions can change in minutes — even Snowdon in July sees casualties from inadequate kit and unexpected weather.
Carry: waterproofs, walking boots, warm layer, hat & gloves, OS Explorer OL17 (Snowdonia) or OL18 (Harlech & Bala), 1.5 L water, charged phone, head torch. Check the weather at mwis.org.uk on the morning. In an emergency call 999, ask for Police / Mountain Rescue, give your what3words location. Local team: Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team (for Snowdonia). Elsewhere: Ogwen Valley MRT, Aberglaslyn MRT or South Snowdonia MRT as appropriate.
About mountains and walks in North Wales
Snowdonia National Park (Eryri) contains over 90 peaks above 600 m and 15 peaks above 900 m. Snowdon at 1,085 m is the highest — and draws around 600,000 summit attempts per year, making it one of the busiest mountains in Britain. Yet 200 metres away on the Glyderau or Carneddau, you can walk all day and see nobody.
Tryfan (917 m) is one of only two mountains in England and Wales that genuinely cannot be ascended without using hands — the North Ridge involves sustained scrambling, and the summit is crowned by two standing stones, Adam and Eve, that walkers traditionally leap between. The Glyderau offers the most dramatic high-level ridge walk in North Wales: a surreal plateau of shattered rock and perched boulders stretching from Glyder Fawr (999 m) to Glyder Fach (994 m).
South of Snowdonia, Cadair Idris (893 m) rises above Dolgellau with an air of mystery all its own — Welsh legend holds that anyone who sleeps on the summit will wake either a poet or a madman. The Pony Path (Llanfihangel-y-Pennant) and Minffordd Path offer contrasting approaches. East of Snowdonia, the Clwydian Range AONB provides gentler hill walking, with Moel Famau (555 m) and its Jubilee Tower the highest point and the most accessible summit in North Wales.
Top 8 mountains and walks
- Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) —
- Tryfan —
- Glyderau —
- Cadair Idris —
- Moel Siabod —
- Carneddau —
- Rhinog Fawr —
- Moel Famau —
Walks by difficulty
- Easy (suitable for families and beginners)
- Moel Famau via Bwlch Penbarra car park (2 miles, 250 m ascent). Llyn Idwal circular from Ogwen (2.5 miles, 150 m). Cwm Idwal NNR. Bodnant Woodland Walk.
- Moderate (fit walkers, good boots required)
- Snowdon Llanberis Path (9 miles return, 900 m). Cadair Idris Pony Path (9 miles return, 850 m). Moel Siabod from Pont Cyfyng (7 miles, 700 m).
- Challenging (mountain experience needed)
- Snowdon Crib Goch (Grade 1 scramble, serious exposure). Glyderau from Ogwen (8 miles, 900 m). Carneddau horseshoe (12 miles, 1,100 m).
- Expert (Grade 1–2 scramble)
- Tryfan North Ridge. Crib Goch ridge traverse. Bristly Ridge on Glyder Fach. All require scrambling experience and a head for heights.
Essential kit and safety
Always carry: waterproof jacket and trousers, insulating mid-layer, walking boots (not trainers), OS Explorer map (OL17 Snowdonia or OL18 Harlech & Bala), compass, head torch, 1.5 litres of water and food. Conditions at altitude change fast — a dry Llanberis morning can become a whiteout summit within an hour.
Weather: Check MWIS (Mountain Weather Information Service) on the morning of your walk — this is the dedicated mountain forecast service used by mountain rescue teams. Standard weather apps underestimate summit conditions.
In an emergency: Call 999 and ask for Police / Mountain Rescue. Save your what3words location before you lose signal.
Frequently asked questions
Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) stands at 1,085 m — the highest mountain in England and Wales (Ben Nevis in Scotland is higher at 1,345 m). The easiest path to the summit is the Llanberis Path (9 miles return, 900 m ascent) which takes 5–6 hours return. The Pyg Track and Miners' Track from Pen-y-Pass are shorter but steeper. The Snowdon Mountain Railway offers an alternative for those who prefer not to walk.
The Llanberis Path and Pyg Track are suitable for fit, well-equipped beginners in good summer weather. Proper walking boots (not trainers), waterproofs, warm layers, a map and enough food and water are essential — even in July. Avoid attempting Snowdon in winter without crampons and ice axe experience. Over 400 mountain rescues occur in Snowdonia each year, many involving under-equipped walkers.
No. Tryfan (917 m) requires hands-on scrambling for most of the ascent and is not suitable for beginners or anyone with a fear of heights. It is one of only two mountains in England and Wales that cannot be climbed without using hands. The North Ridge (the classic route) involves sustained Grade 1 scrambling and significant exposure. Experienced walkers find it one of the finest mountains in Britain.
There is currently no permit required to climb Snowdon, though Eryri National Park is investigating visitor management measures due to the 600,000+ annual summit attempts. The Pen-y-Pass car park reaches capacity by 7am in summer — use the Sherpa'r Wyddfa Park and Ride buses from Caernarfon, Llanberis, Betws-y-Coed or Beddgelert instead.
May and June offer the best combination of good weather, long days and smaller crowds. July and August are busiest. September has excellent visibility and lower footfall. Avoid Bank Holiday weekends in summer if you want a quieter experience. Early starts (before 8am at the trailhead) make a significant difference to crowd levels at the summit.
Most Snowdonia mountains are accessible without a guide if you have good navigation skills, appropriate kit and weather knowledge. Moel Siabod, Moel Famau and the Carneddau plateau are generally less technical than Tryfan or the Glyderau ridge. A mountain leadership course or day with a qualified mountain guide is recommended before tackling Grade 1 scrambles such as Crib Goch or Tryfan North Ridge.