Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales, at a height of 1,085 metres, and the highest point in the British Isles outside the Scottish Highlands. It is located in Snowdonia National Park, in North Wales. There are seven different routes up this mighty peak but can you climb Snowdon with a child? Read on for our guide to hiking Snowdon with kids.
Hiking Snowdon had been on our list for some time. Living in Wales we felt it was something we should do. Indeed we want to hike the three highest mountains in the British Isles: Scafell Pike in England, Snowdon in Wales and Ben Nevis in Scotland.
Hiking Snowdon with kids will depend on many factors: the age and previous hiking experience of your kids, the weather on any given day, and your choice of route. Hiking Snowdon is a challenging hike. It will take you somewhere between 5-8 hours to hike up and back down the mountain. There is however another alternative, the Snowdon Mountain Railway, which takes just an hour to reach the top! Click here for everything you need to know for the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Booking is very much advised, particularly at peak times.
HIKING SNOWDON: THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN WALES
THE 7 ROUTES UP SNOWDON
- The Llanberis Path: the longest and easiest route up Snowdon, but also the least interesting! Can be very busy. Follows the train route.
- Snowdon Ranger Track: the oldest and one of the most pleasant ways up Snowdon. Technically it’s a similar level of difficulty to the Llanberis Path, yet it’s quieter and scenically far more interesting.
- Rhyd-Ddu Path: one of the finest walks up Snowdon. It’s quiet, not too difficult, and the views are breathtaking. There is however, an exposed section along Bwlch Main, so may not be suitable for children.
- The Pyg Track: a pretty straightforward hike up Snowdon’s eastern slopes, although steep from the start with a stiff haul from the car park, followed by leg-burning zigzags to the summit.
- The Miners Track: a steady climb, which joins up with the Pyg Track and those punishing zigzags to the summit. Many people go up the Pyg Track and down the Miners Track.
- The Snowdon Horseshoe: an advanced scramble for those with a head for heights! The Snowdon Horseshoe, which includes the Crib Goch spine, is a tough hike, and one of the best scrambling routes in the country. It is also one of the most exposed and difficult routes up the mountain. Not recommended with children.
- The Watkin Path: another hard route to the top. Dangerous loose scree and rocks on the upper stretch, a hard to follow path in places, some scarily steep drops, and tricky footing, all demand much hill walking experience. Again not recommended for children.
CAR PARKING AT SNOWDON
Postcodes for the car parks at the starting points of the main walks up Snowdon are:
Llanberis Path: Snowdon Mountain Railway car park LL55 4TT.
Miners Track, Pyg Track and Snowdon Horseshoe: Pen-y-Pass car park LL55 4NY, £10 per day.
Snowdon Ranger Track: Llyn Cwellyn car park: LL54 7YS, £4 per day.
Watkin Path: Pont Bethania car park: LL55 4NL, £4 per day.
Beddgelert/Rhyd Ddu Path: Rhyd Ddu Station car park: LL54 6TN, £4 per day.
Bear in mind that parking is limited, and car parks can be full early during peak season.
HIKING SNOWDON VIA THE RANGER TRACK
After mush research we decided to hike Snowdon via the Ranger Track. We were a mixed group of seventeen, four families in all, with nine children, the youngest being eight. The Snowdon Ranger Track is one of the easier routes up Snowdon, but still has the far reaching views that we were after.
The hike up Snowdon, via the Ranger Track, is a 12 kilometre return trip. It is a moderate hike which should take between six and seven hours. There are some steeper, rocky sections, so you should have a decent level of fitness to make this hike.
The Snowdon Ranger Path is thought to be the oldest of the routes to the summit of Snowdon. It is named after John Morton, a mountain guide who guided Victorian clients to the top of Snowdon in the 19th Century. John Morton built a tavern known as the Snowdon Ranger Inn, now the youth hostel which marks the start of the route.
STARTING OUT…
We arrived at the start of the hike by 10am and at this time there was plenty of room to park in the Llyn Cwellyn Car Park (opposite the youth hostel) just off the A4085. The hike up the Snowdon Ranger Track starts from the Snowdon Ranger Hostel.
The path from the Snowdon Ranger Hostel starts by crossing the Welsh Highland Railway line and zig-zagging steeply up the hillside above. After this relatively short ascent, the gravel path flattens out as it ascends gently through grassland towards the lake, Llyn Ffynnon-y-gwas. As you cover some distance Snowdon looms above you.
It is at the lake that the path becomes steep and more challenging as you ascend the rocky shoulder to Clogwyn Du’r Arddu.
After an hour or so of climbing, the path eventually relents. There are good views from here down to Cwm Clogwyn and across to Llechog and Bwlch Main ridge. The summit is very obvious from here.
Follow the rocky path as the route moves away from the ridge and starts to flatten out.
Follow the cairns and stay on the path as the route begins to steepen once again for the next 800 metres or so. You will soon reach the Snowdon Mountain Railway track. Cross the track and head towards the summit.
GETTING TO THE TOP
The final summit push becomes busy with walkers as three routes (Llanberis Path, Snowdon Ranger Path and Pyg Track) merge for the final few hundred metres to the summit. The final stretch offers the most impressive views with the beautiful mountain lakes and the sharp ridges of Crib Goch and Y Lliwedd which make up the Snowdon Horseshoe.
The summit cairn offers magnificent panoramic views of the Snowdon Massif and Snowdonia.
THE DESCENT
The trail back down is the same as the way up. Re-trace your steps and enjoy the views.
HIKING SNOWDON WITH KIDS
Children should be of an age where they are capable of walking for several hours. It is a fairly steep, uphill climb, over rocky ground and boulders at certain points, to get to the summit of Snowdon by this route. Our youngest was 8 at the time of this hike, and he had no trouble completing the walk, but he’s had considerable experience of hiking.
In our opinion there are three main options for hiking Snowdon with kids:
- The Llanberis Path – the easiest but longest route, but can be deemed quite boring.
- Up the Pyg Track and down the Miners Track – the most difficult and steepest of the three routes.
- The Snowdon Ranger Track, as we did – the least busy of the three routes, still relatively easy but with great views.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE HIKING SNOWDON
It takes between four and eight hours to hike Snowdon. Plan on it taking a whole day, with time spent at the summit.
The peak season for hiking Snowdon is from April until October. During the summer months of June, July and August, expect large numbers of people to be on the mountain. Try to hike on weekdays, start the hike early in the morning, and/or take one of the quieter tracks, to avoid some of the worst of the crowds.
Wear sturdy hiking shoes and always carry a rain jacket. The weather can change rapidly and it can be windy at the top. As always layers are best for hiking.
Take hiking poles, particularly for the way down. Be kind to the knees!
There are toilet facilities at the top of Snowdon.
A cafe/restaurant awaits at the top of Snowdon. There is also a Half-Way House cafe on the Llanberis Track.
WHERE WE STAYED IN SNOWDONIA
We stayed at Riverside Camping, the most amazing campsite, near Caernarfon. The campsite offers Cabans (welsh for cabins) for luxury glamping. You will not be disappointed. We fell in love with our caban, tucked away next to the river. Cabans sleep up to six people, and have a small kitchen and bathroom, complete with slipper bath. The cabans are heated by a wood burner. Outside, there is a decked area with table and chairs, a chiminea and a wood-fired hot tub.
FOR MORE ON WALES:
How To Spend Three Days in Snowdonia with Kids
Amazing Things To Do In Wales with Kids
Glamping at Hidden Valley Yurts in Monmouthshire
Walking the Wales Coastal Path on the Gower Peninsula
FOR OTHER GREAT HIKES FROM AROUND THE WORLD:
- New Zealand: The Tongariro Alpine Crossing with Kids
- South Africa: Climbing Table Mountain in Cape Town with Kids
- Bhutan: Hiking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Bhutan
- China: Hiking the Great Wall of China with Kids
- Scotland: Hiking the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye
33 Comments.
This is a really useful post, thanks. This looks like a great route to tackle with kids. Looking forward to my toddler being a few years older to have a go at things like this! #fearlessfamtrav
We had a great day hiking Snowdon. Thanks for linking up to #fearessfamtrav.
We love hiking with our toddler but I’m not sure we are ready to snowdon yet #fearlessfamtrav
Give it a few years and you’ll be struggling to keep up!
What a hike and beautiful view! Whenever I go to the UK I’ll have to add this our list of things to do!
It’s a great hike and you can tick off the tallest mountain in Wales! Thanks for linking up to #fearlessfamtrav.
#fearlessfamtrav
What a great hike for families. When hiking with the kids I prefer out and back trails. The summit is worth every step.
It’s a real achievement when you reach any summit with kids! It’s a great hike with wonderful views on a fine day. Thanks for linking up to #fearlessfamtrav.
I hiked Snowdon when I was about 9. My youngest needs a bit more experience and practice before we could tackle something like this, but we’re working on it (he’s only 6). Great, informative post. #fearlessfamtrav
9 is a great age to get into some mountain walking. I hope you get to do it again some day with him.
Wow! Hiking Snowdon looks amazing and being half-Welsh (with a Welsh OH) it is something that I really must do one day. Our kids are a bit young at the moment but it’s on our bucket list. I love the cabin – how amazing – what a fantastic place to stay. #fearlessfamtrav
You have to do it if you’re half Welsh! The cabans were amazing and i’m recommending them to everybody who’s heading to Snowdonia.
I hadn’t realised there were so many routes to the summit. I did it years ago and I have no idea which route we took! Hood to know your 8 year old managed it ok. My nearly 5 year old can cycle for miles but his walking stamina is not so good. I’d better start training him up now! #Fearlessfamtrav
Get him in training now 🙂 Yes, lots of different routes up. The Ranger Track is one of the less well used.
Very detailed helpful post. On our never ending ‘to do’ list! Thanks
#fearlessfamtrav
Unfortunately the list just keeps getting longer! Its good to have goals and ambitions through right?
Wow – you had amazing weather and incredible views from up there! It’s something we’d like to do when the kids are older (far too small right now, ha!). Also love the look of the glamping huts you stayed in! #fearlessfamtrav
Kids definitely need to be a bit older to hike Snowdon. The’cabans’ we stayed in were amazing and i’m recommending them to everybody!
This is such a helpful post – thank you! My kids are too young to hike Snowdon at the moment, but we’re planning on visiting Snowdonia in half term so may consider the train – it looks so beautiful! Also completely in love with that campsite!! #fearlessfamtrav
I hope you’ll love Snowdonia as much as we do. It’s a beautiful part of the UK. Definitely take the train up if it’s a fine day as the views are amazing. I’ve just booked the cabans for a weekend again this year!
Such a great idea to hike with other families. I find it always helps our gang when there are other kids along for the hike. It looks like you got a fabulous day weather-wise too!
#ferlessfamtrav
We were super lucky with the weather and had a perfect day! Definitely not always the case on Snowdon.
Due to my disability this is something I’ll sadly never be able to do, but man I would if I could! Those views look amazing and what a great experience to do as a family! #fearlessfamtrav
The views were breathtaking. The train makes Snowdon accessible to all.
This is something I really want to do with my girls. Some really useful tips. Thanks #fearlessfamtrav
It’s a great family hike…and you can say you’ve hiked to the highest point in England and Wales!
Cannot wait to do this with my boys! Maybe in a couple of years? I’ve only ever climbed it once (pre-kids) and I can’t remember which route we took, but it was a clear day and the views were breathtaking! #fearlessfamtrav
So many people don’t get the weather so glad to hear you had a perfect day too.
Fabulous photos and looks like you had amazing weather too! I’m glad you pointed out it’s challenging – I know people who’ve got into difficulties on hikes – visitsnowdonia.info has some great advice on what to take etc.
Always try to give a balanced viewpoint. Totally agree that hiking should be taken seriously. We’ve been on many hikes and seen people with no provisions and with inappropriate clothes and footwear!
It sounds brilliant Nicky. We loved Snowdonia National Park, although we visited on my hubby’s motorbike when we were living in South Wales. We never climbed Snowdon but did ride around it. I can only imagine the views from the top. I do miss Wales terribly. Thanks for sharing and reminding me of that beautiful place. #fearlessfamtrav
Snowdonia is one of our favourite parts of the UK. You need to get back for a visit!