Watkin Path Snowdon: Distance, Ascent, Parking & Bus

Watkin Path at a glance

13 kmthere and back

1,015 mascent

6 hrsEryri estimate

Not popularhow busy (Eryri)

Starts a little above sea level, so it has the most climbing of the six. It rises steeply up the southern slopes, past Gladstone Rock (where Gladstone opened the path in 1892), crosses loose scree and joins the Rhyd Ddu Path for the summit. Eryri suggests first-timers consider another path.

Start: Pont Bethania car park, Nant Gwynant (SH 627 507)
Grade: Hard/Strenuous (Eryri)
Bus stop: Pont Bethania S4
Map: OS Explorer OL17
Official route: Eryri route page, PDF and GPX

250 m500 m750 m1,000 mStartSummit

Shape of the walk one way, from the start to the top. Approximate heights along the OpenStreetMap route line, from Copernicus GLO-90 terrain data (via Open-Meteo); the 90 m grid smooths the highest point. Distances and ascent figures on this page are Eryri's.

Pont Bethania A little above sea level
Gladstone Rock Where Gladstone opened the path in 1892
Loose scree Steep southern slopes
Joins the Rhyd Ddu Path
Yr Wyddfa summit 1,085 m

Key points along the way, in order, from Eryri's route description. Not a substitute for a map.

ModerateEryri grade
Hard/StrenuousEryri gradeWatkin Path
Scramblehands needed (National Trust)

Eryri grades the Watkin Path Hard/Strenuous, like all six main paths up Yr Wyddfa.

Plan your Watkin Path walk

1. Pick a path

Your pace

2. Pick a day

Loading the live forecast…

Sunrise

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Sunset

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Daylight

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Latest safe start

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Forecast loading…

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

Reach the top

Start walking by

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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 (OpenStreetMap) loads when you scroll here.

How busy it gets

Pages you have opened, and the last forecast, are kept on this device, so the plan still opens with no signal.

Monthly walker counts, 2025

One-way counts from Eryri's counter; report total 51,362.

Stay safe

Ask the AdventureSmart three questions: do I have the knowledge and skills, do I know what the weather will be like, and am I confident I have the right gear?
In an emergency, dial 999 or 112, ask for the Police, then Mountain Rescue.
Register your phone for emergency texts before you go: text register to 999.
Do not walk on the Snowdon Mountain Railway track. Keep dogs on leads near livestock.
Turn back if the weather turns or you are behind time. The summit will still be there.

Full kit list and safety guide

Other paths up Snowdon

Llanberis Path: 14.5 km, 7 hrs
Pyg Track: 11 km, 6 hrs
Miners' Track: 13 km, 6 hrs
Rhyd Ddu Path: 12 km, 6 hrs
Snowdon Ranger: 13 km, 6 hrs
Compare all six

Distance km

Llanberis Path14.5 km
Pyg Track11 km
Miners' Track13 km
Watkin Path13 km
Rhyd Ddu Path12 km
Snowdon Ranger13 km

Ascent metres

Llanberis Path975 m
Pyg Track895 m
Miners' Track723 m
Watkin Path1,015 m
Rhyd Ddu Pathnot published
Snowdon Ranger936 m

Time hours (Eryri)

Llanberis Path7 hrs
Pyg Track6 hrs
Miners' Track6 hrs
Watkin Path6 hrs
Rhyd Ddu Path6 hrs
Snowdon Ranger6 hrs

The six paths side by side. Distances are there and back; times are Eryri's estimates for fit, experienced walkers. Eryri does not publish an ascent figure for the Rhyd Ddu Path.

Yr Wyddfa summit, 1,085 mLlanberis PathPen y Pass: Pyg Track, Miners' TrackWatkin PathRhyd Ddu PathSnowdon Ranger

All six paths meet at the summit. The Watkin Path is drawn in black. Sketch only, not for navigation. Route lines © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Watkin Path up Snowdon?

13 km there and back, according to Eryri National Park Authority, with an estimated 6 hours walking.

How much ascent is on the Watkin Path?

1,015 m.

Where does the Watkin Path start?

Pont Bethania car park, Nant Gwynant (SH 627 507).

Where can I park for the Watkin Path?

Pont Bethania car park (Eryri): £8 a day · £5 up to 4 hrs. Beddgelert car park (Eryri): £8 a day · £5 up to 4 hrs.

Which bus goes to the Watkin Path?

Sherpa'r Wyddfa S4 to Pont Bethania. S4 from Porthmadog; From Caernarfon: S3, change to S4 at Beddgelert; From Betws y Coed or Bangor: change to S4 at Pen y Pass.

Is the Watkin Path busy?

Eryri rates it "Not popular". Its counter recorded 51,362 one-way counts in 2025, busiest in Aug.

Sources

Every figure on this page was checked against these sources on 20 October 2026.

Watkin Path, Snowdon: distance, time, parking and bus