Mount Snowdon
OS grid ref:- SH 609544
Mount Snowdon, in Welsh, Yr Wyddfa, meaning 'the tumulus', dominates the landscape of North Wales, soaring to 3,560 feet (1,085m) and is the highest mountain in Wales or England. The Snowdon range consists of eleven peaks, three of which surpass 3,000 feet.
Mount Snowdon
Often cloud capped, Snowdon is shrouded in legend, and is reputed to be the burial place of the giant ogre Rhita, vanquished by the famous King Arthur. The mountain is home to a number of rare flowers and insects, including Sundew, an insectivorous plant.
View from Snowdon
A climb to the summit, on a clear day is rewarded with enthralling views of England, Ireland and Scotland. The mountain has been exploited for its copper since as far back as the Bronze Age, extensive Copper Mines were excavated in Victorian times.
The Snowdon Railway
The Snowdon Railway can be taken to the summit, from where there are panoramic views.
The railway began over a hundred years ago, the idea of an enterprising group of businessmen. Work commenced to a Swiss design in 1894, the rack and pinion railway, which has a gradient of 20% was opened in 1896.
In an ambitious feat of engineering, and uniquely in Britain, the railway rises to within 66ft of the summit of the mountain. The 13 minute journey commences from Llanberis station.
Opening times:-
Trains run every day from mid March to the first week of November inclusive. The Summit Station is the usual destination between mid May and the end of October. From mid March to mid May trains terminate at Clogwyn or Rocky Valley. Opens 9.00a.m.
Railway closed:- from 3rd November for the Winter.
Re-opens:- mid March 2007
The view from Snowdon, looking west to Llyn Padarn, the Snowdon Railway wends its way down the mountain in the foreground
Paths to the summit of Snowdon
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The route to the top from the Llanberis Pass is easy, that from Crib Goch, 3,023 feet (921m) is, however, a serious climb.
- PYG Path - The favourite route, well made path, contours around the cwm, 3.25 miles, starts from the car park by the Pen-y- Pass Youth Hostel.
- Watkin Path - The hardest and longest climb, 3.5 miles, commences from the Car Park beyond Llyn Gwnant.
- Snowdon Ranger Path - An easy path with superb views, 3.75 miles, commences from the car park at Llyn Cwellyn.
- Rhyd Ddu Path - East to follow but steeper near the top, 3.75 miles, commences from car park at Rhyd Ddu.
- Miners Track - Follows the old miners track to lake then rises more steeply to adjoin the Pen-y-Gwryd route to the summit, 3.75 miles, commences from car park near Pen-y-Pass Youth Hostel.
- Lanberis Path - Stays close to the railway, easy but long, 5 miles, commences Llanberis.
See also:-