Climbing Mount Snowdon and visiting Snowdonia National Park in Wales has been on my list of things to achieve for quite a few years. I can happily say I have now achieved my walk up Snowdon.
Mount Snowdon is the highest peak in England and Wales at 1085m. Well worth being on your bucket list.
The planning stages began a few months prior to our hike, as we needed to find the best place to stay near Snowdon. We also needed time to train for our mountain hike and decide which Snowdon route to take.
Related post – Mount Snowdon packing list
Out of the six different paths at Snowdon, the Llanberis Path, Pyg Track, Miners’ Track, Watkin Path, Rhyd-Ddu Path or the Snowdon Ranger Path, we chose the Rangers path.
Originally we had decided on the Llanberis Path as this is known as the tourist path, and the easiest route up Snowdon. However after some research we decided to attempt to shorten our route and also free ourselves from crowds of people.
Snowdon Rangers Path Parking
There is a convenient car park for up to around 30 cars at the base of the Rangers Path. The car park is advertised as not being too busy, and when we arrived at just before 9am there were still plenty of spaces left.
Parking is charged at either £4 for 3 hours or £6 for all day parking until midnight. I suggest all day parking if you are planning on walking to the summit as three hours won’t be enough. There are two parking meters, one that takes cash and one that takes cards in the car park.
Toilet facilities are available in the form of porta-loos. These are usable, however they weren’t particularly fresh and clean. I suggest your own hand sanitiser and tissue paper if possible.
Hiking Snowdon Rangers Path
The entrance to the Rangers path is on the opposite side of the road to the car park. It’s clearly marked so there is no worry of getting lost. As you travel up what looks like someone’s private driveway, you go through a gate towards the Snowdon Ranger train station. With the station on your right, take the public footpath towards the next gate and your journey up the mountain begins!
The Ranger Path is around 3.5 miles in distance from the base of the mountain to the summit. For the first mile or so, you will be walking on a compacted base that forms a well laid out path. The incline begins with some steepness that will get your heart pumping.
As you zig zag through the first few fields along paths, don’t forget to take in your surroundings. The lakes are expansive and beautiful to look at. There’s also plenty of sheep grazing nearby to say hello to.
Don’t be alarmed at the wildlife, they are well used to people and walk away if you get too close to them.
One thing I noticed during climbing Mount Snowdon was that every time I thought we must possibly be near the top, we weren’t. As you stop and admire the view, if it’s your first time climbing Snowdon then you have no idea where the summit actually is.
Seeing the path become steeper in front of you can be very daunting, however if you take a few steps at a time, it’s amazing how far you actually climb without realizing it.
Snowdon Rangers Path Terrain
After an hour or so of walking, you will see the mountain begin to climb quite steeply in front of you. The terrain of the path also begins to change around now.
I would immediately say try not to let the sight of people in the distance climbing up steep inclines be too intimidating. It really does look worse than it is when you are hiking.
Underfoot you will find a mix of large shingle, rocks and areas where you will be close to the cliff edges.
There are some areas where you will have to make large steps up to the stay on the path and continue your climb. Equally there are areas that have a nice solid path to keep you on track. Never will you lose your way, as despite the path being quiet, there’s usually someone in the distance in front or behind you.
How Long Will It Take To Climb Snowdon Rangers Path?
I consider myself quite a fit person, someone who walks quite a lot. The weather can affect how long your Snowdon hike can take amongst many other factors. It took me 3.5 hours to walk from the Rangers car park to the summit. This involved stopping to catch my breath, and also pit stops for drinks and snacks along the way.
Once at the summit, it took 25 minutes to queue for a summit photo. This obviously isn’t essential, however it’s a great memento.
The feeling of reaching the top of Mount Snowdon is amazing and one not very easy to put into words.
The climb back down the Rangers Path took 2 hours from the summit back to the car park. Walking back down Snowdon mountain will use different muscles, and it’s important to take care with the loose terrain underfoot, especially when your muscles are fatigued.
Climbing Mount Snowdon Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to climb Snowdon?
The best time to climb Mount Snowdon is between April and September for the best weather. Whilst you cannot guarantee the British weather, it would be tough climbing on a very hot day, and also when it’s raining.
What facilities are at Mount Snowdon?
Once you reach the summit of Mount Snowdon, you’ll find toilets, a cafe and the train station. The train travels along the Llanberis path, but if you choose to take the train up or down the mountain, there are buses between different starting points.
How many steps to climb Snowdon?
According to my Apple Watch stats below, the total amount of steps to climb Snowdon and back down again was 20,562 steps.
How long does it take to walk down Snowdon?
It took us 2 hours to walk down Snowdon on the Rangers path.
