Snowdon
Llanberis Path
At a glance
Price: £39
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)
Ascent: 950m
Time: 6-7 hours
Crowds: 10/10 (Very busy)
Fear factor: 1/10 (Not scary)
2024 Group Dates
March: 30th (Bank Holiday)
April: 13th
May: 4th 15th 25th
June: 29th
July: 13th
August: 10th, 24th & 31st
September: 28th
October: 19th
To request Private Guiding please contact us
The Llanberis Path is the least challenging route to climb Snowdon. It is often called the 'tourist track' as it is the most popular footpath. Of all the routes to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) it is the longest and least steep mountain path.
Llanberis Path Guided Walk
Who is the Llanberis Path for?
The Llanberis Path is the easiest route up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) so is perfect for most people who can walk at a steady pace for around 7 hours. On one of our guided walks you will be taking regular short breaks.
What equipment do I need?
We will send you a detailed kit list upon booking and again shortly before the event.
Normal hiking gear is needed and this varies a little depending on the time of year and the forecast on the day. Items that are always required which you may need to go out and buy include walking boots/ walking shoes (not trainers), a waterproof jacket and a rucksack.
We can give you advice about what to buy if you have booked onto one of our walks.
Typical itinerary
We will send you out an Event Notes email after booking which will include a walk specific itinerary. This is just a guideline...
08:30 - Meet Mountain Leader. Welcome briefing and kit check.
08:35 - Start Walk
12:30 - Summit Yr Wyddfa
13:00 - Depart Yr Wyddfa Summit
16:30 - Complete walk
Take on the Llanberis Path and book with us today
We organise regular public group walks up the Llanberis Path on set dates. You can also choose your own date with our Private Guided service which is perfect for corporate and charity groups.
Llanberis Path Route Information
The Llanberis path starts from the Snowdon Mountain Railway station and runs parallel to the Snowdon mountain railway track.
Turn right the station and walk south-east along the road. When you reach the mini roundabout, at the Royal Victoria Hotel take your first right onto 'Victoria Terrace' and continue south-west. After the cattle grid there is the first steep section which is still on the road which continues through a wooded area. This is the first test of fitness.
You will pass a farmers barn on the right and this is where you get your first views down the valley to the village of Llanberis and the lake Llyn- Padarn.
Shortly after this, leave the road by turning left onto a footpath marked 'Llanberis Path'. This is where the mountain track truly begins as you will be in open mountain terrain. On a good day, you will get really nice views of the rugged Glyderau mountain range on your left and the mountains of Moel Eilio, Foel Gron, Foel Goch and Moel Cynghorion on your right.
Sheep can often be seen grazing on the grassy hillside and you will see the Snowdon Mountain Railway slowly chugging up Wales highest mountain. This section of the footpath is well built and fairly gentle and passes through a couple of gates, the first of which is Hebron Gate. You will cross babbling streams and walk underneath a small railway bridge.
The footpath continues to the 'half way house' cafe which has fantastic cakes and is a great place to stop for a brew to prepare yourself for the second and most difficult half of the hike.
The footpath is gentle to begin with and passes a small lake in front of the dramatic cliffs of Clogwyn Du'r Du which is home to one of the most dangerous and challenging rock climbs in the world (The Indian Face). This is a good place to stop, catch your breath and take a photo. The lake and cliffs are spectacular.
There is a short (120m) but steep climb to the Clogwyn Station where the path runs under the railway track revealing epic views of the Glyder and Carneddau mountains.
After the Clogwyn Station, the footpath is briefly sandwiched between the railway track and Cwm Hetiau which has spectacular views down to the Pass of Llanberis before it becomes very loose and steepens again for the last long and most strenuous climb up a loose steep slope. Although wide, this section crosses the steep cliffs of the 'killer convex' which is particularly dangerous in snow and ice conditions.
Eventually, the gradient eases and you will come to the standing stone where, in good weather, you will be rewarded to breath-taking views of the rocky knife-edged ridge of Crib Goch and Crib y Ddysgl which are part of the Snowdon Horseshoe. On the way down be sure to take the central path which is clearly marked 'Llanberis Path' or you could end up in the wrong valley at the Llyn Cwellyn car park.
From here it is just a few hundred meters to the summit of the highest mountain in Wales!
FAQ's
Where does it start?
This walk starts in Llanberis village which is situated at the bottom of the Llanberis Pass. It largely follows the railway line from here.
We will send you out detailed Event Notes by email before the walk which include where and when to meet as well as parking instructions.
There are toilets at the station and there is plenty of car parks nearby in the village of Llanberis.
Is the Llanberis Path sighnposted?
There are two sighnposts on the Llanberis Path. The first shows where the mountain track leaves the road and the second is near the summit. These are the only sighnposts on the Llanberis Path.
Is the Llanberis Path easy to follow?
Of all of the footpaths to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the Llanberis Path is the easiest to follow as a result of most sections of the footpath being well engineered. Although people do get lost, especially near the summit and especially in poor visibility, most sections are obvious and straightforward.
Is the Llanberis Path dangerous?
Statistically, mountain walking is a fairly safe activity and on most days, you will rarely be far from assistance should you need it on the Llanberis Path .
However, all mountains pose inherent and variable hazards and the Llanberis path is no exception. Getting lost, slips, trips, falls and hypothermia are the biggest risks on most days.
In certain conditions the sections of the path can become treacherous with a few accident blackspots such as The 'Killer Convex' which claimed four lives one weekend
How long does the Llanberis Path take?
It takes most people around 7 hours to walk up and down the Llanberis Path. This can take longer so start early and allow yourself plenty of time especially in autumn.
Llanberis Path distance
From the village of Llanberis to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and back, the Llanberis Path is 14.7km (9.1 miles) long. This is around 27,000 steps.
Guided Walk Info
Instructors
All of our instructors are fully qualified Mountain Leaders with a minimum of a 16 hour First Aid certificate. All participants are covered by our Public Liability Insurance.
Children
We accept children of 13 years and over on our Group Walks. Anyone under the age of 18 has to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times. Please contact us to arrange a Private Guiding walk for parents and children under 13 years of age.
Dogs
Well behaved dogs are allowed on our Group Walks.
Snowdon Ranger Path
A quieter alternative to the Llanberis Path is the Snowdon Ranger Path which is a little more difficult.
Snowdon Paths and Sherpa Bus Service
The Llanberis path is connected to the other main footpaths via the Snowdon Sherpa bus service.
