How long does it take to climb Snowdon?
- Pyg Track6 to 8 hrs
- Miners' Track6 to 8 hrs
- Watkin Path6 to 8 hrs
- Rhyd Ddu Path6 to 8 hrs
- Snowdon Ranger6 to 8 hrs
- Llanberis Path7 to 9 hrs
Eryri grades every path Hard/Strenuous. "Beginner" here means new to Snowdon, but fit for a long, steep mountain day.
Snowdon for first-timers in one minute
- Pick the gentlest pathLlanberis has the most gradual climb (Eryri)
- Allow 7 to 9 hoursEryri's time plus stops
- Check the summit forecastMuch colder and windier at 1,085 m
- Set a turn-back timeAnd stick to it
Which path?
- Llanberis PathEryri's pick for first-timers. Route, parking and times on the Llanberis Path page
- Miners' TrackGentle start past the lakes, steep scree near the top
- With kids?Family options and child fares
What to bring
- Walking boots with good grip
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm thermal layers
- Hat and glovesit is much colder at the summit
- MapOS Explorer OL17) and compass, and know how to use them
- Food and plenty to drink
- Fully charged phoneplus a power bank
- Torch or head torch
Plan your first Snowdon day
1. Pick a path
2. Pick a day
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Best day this week
Our own guide, not an official rating: a weather score from the same rules of thumb as the warnings (gusts, rain, cloud, wind chill, freezing level), lowered on days that are usually busy. Busyness uses Eryri's 2025 walker counts by weekday and month, so it shows a typical pattern, not a crowd forecast. Tap a day to see it.
Sunrise hike: what time to start
- You will walk up in the dark: carry a head torch with spare batteries, and a second light. Eryri advises carrying a torch and whistle in case you are caught on a summit after dark.
- It is much colder before dawn and at the top: pack extra warm layers.
- Navigation is harder in the dark: know the path, and carry a map and compass and the skills to use them.
- Early buses may not run yet: check the first bus time, or the parking rules, before you plan the start.
- Go with others, tell someone your plan, and turn back if the weather is poor.
Hour-by-hour forecast: Yr Wyddfa summit (1,085 m)
Wind and gusts in mph. Freezing level in metres above sea level. Forecast data: Open-Meteo.
Before you go, also check the Met Office mountain forecast, MWIS and Eryri's ground conditions reports.
3. Getting there
Map
The route map (OpenTopoMap) loads when you scroll here.
How busy it gets
Timings for the day
- Night beforeForecast, parking, tell someone
- Start earlyBefore the latest safe start
- Turn-back timeStick to it
- At the summitLayers on before you stop
- Walk downWith time to spare
Prefer to ride one way? See walk up, train down: prices and dates.
Stay safe
- Emergency: 999 or 112Police, then Mountain Rescue
- Text "register" to 999Before you go
- Skills, weather, gear?Ask the AdventureSmart questions
- Stay off the railway trackDogs on leads near livestock
- Turn back in timeThe summit will still be there
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb Snowdon?
Eryri estimates 6 to 7 hours there and back for the six main paths (11 to 14.5 km), for fit, experienced walkers. Visit Wales suggests allowing 6 to 8 hours. First-timers and slower walkers should allow 1 to 2 hours more for stops.
Is Snowdon OK for beginners?
It is a big day. Eryri grades all six paths Hard/Strenuous and says climbing Yr Wyddfa is not an easy undertaking and is not suitable for novice walkers. If you are new to mountain walking, try a Moderate walk such as Cwm Idwal first, or take the train one way.
Which path is best for a first time up Snowdon?
The Llanberis Path. Eryri calls it the best path for first-timers who are comfortable with strenuous mountain hikes: it has the most gradual climb, 14.5 km there and back, about 7 hours.
What should I wear to climb Snowdon?
Walking boots with good grip, a waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers, a hat and gloves. It is much colder and windier at the top than in the valley.
How long does each path up Snowdon take?
Eryri's times there and back: Pyg Track 11 km, about 6 hours; Rhyd Ddu Path 12 km, about 6 hours; Miners' Track 13 km, about 6 hours; Watkin Path 13 km, about 6 hours; Snowdon Ranger 13 km, about 6 hours; Llanberis Path 14.5 km, about 7 hours.
Is Crib Goch part of the walk up Snowdon?
No. Crib Goch is a scramble on a knife-edge ridge off the Pyg Track and is not suitable for beginners. Eryri says to stay on the clearly defined Pyg Track to avoid it.
Sources
- Eryri: choosing the right path up Yr Wyddfa
- Eryri: Llanberis Path route page
- Eryri: Pyg Track (charity walks and novice walkers)
- Visit Wales: walking Yr Wyddfa
- Snowdon Mountain Railway: times, prices and FAQs
- Eryri: Visitor Monitoring Report 2025 (PDF)
Every figure on this page was checked against these sources on 20 October 2026.