How dangerous is Snowdon's Watkin Path?

Walking up Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) is generally safe—with over half a million ascents annually—yet it still accounts for hundreds of mountain rescue call-outs each year. In 2024, there were over 320 rescue incidents on Snowdon, up from around 301 in 2023. 

One of the most demanding routes up Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) is the Watkin Path: scenic but steep, exposed, and prone to loose ground, making it inherently riskier than other walking routes. With a high number of incidents it is often too much for novice hikers.

This article will analyse what makes the Watkin Path dangerous, and how the hazards are increased compared to other footpaths before looking at how to reduce the risks.

The Watkin Path

The Watkin Path (Llwybr Watkin in Welsh) is the most demanding of all the walking routes up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) but it is also one of the best due to the variety of landscapes and historical interest.

The route is considered the toughest due to its length, altitude gain. In addition, the steep and loose terrain from Bwlch y Saethau to Bwlch Main is the most challenging section of any Snowdon footpath.

How many incidents on the Watkin Path?

Mountain Rescue respond to over 300 call outs per year on Snowdon alone—320 in 2024; 301 in 2023. This makes it statistically the busiest mountain in the UK for Mountain Rescue Incidents.

Around 60,000 people climb the Watkin Path each year accounting for around 10% of ascents.

Unfortunately, there are no detailed figures for the number of incidents per footpath however the Watkin Path is often cited by Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team as the footpath with the most callouts on any given month. For example; June 2025 was a particularly bad month for the Watkin Path with the highest number of incidents of all Snowdon’s footpaths.

Tragically, one of these incidents involved the deaths of two young women. 

Watkin Path Guided Walk

Location & Type of incidents

The steep scree section near the summit between Bwlch y Saethau and Bwlch Main is a known accident blackspot.

While Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team don’t publish incidents specifically for the Watkin Path they did state in their June 2025 social media post that there were 5 separate groups of walkers who were lost or unable to descend. In their social media post the following month (July 2025) they reported rescuing a group of 11 who were lost on the route with no food, water and low phone battery.

Mountain Rescue England & Wales do produce statistics for incidents. Their annual report shows there were 3482 rescues in both countries in 2024. The most common causes of these incidents were:

• Lost/ Missing: 25%

• Slips or Trips: 23%.

It is worth noting that call-outs rose by 24% between 2019-2024. Much of this was driven by individuals relying too heavily on phones/ apps and visiting popular but risky locations. 

Notable incidents on Watkin Path

There have been several recent and notable incidents involving Mountain Rescue on the Watkin Path:

• Major falls: In 2013 a 21-year-old fell ~ 400 m (1,300 ft) down the Watkin Path

• Medical emergencies: An unknown individual was airlifted off the path just below the screes in July 2023 (see picture above)

• Deaths: In June 2025, two women died after swimming in a waterfall pool on the Watkin Path

• Rescue frequency: In July 2021, heat‑related incidents, crag‑fast hikers, and errant climbers all occurred on or near the Watkin route, requiring coastguard and RAF helicopter responses

Notice how many people are using their hands on the scree slope

What are the hazards on Watkin Path?

Mountains are hazardous environments by their very nature. The main hazards which are found on the Watkin Path are;

• Steep & loose: The section between Bwlch y Saethau and Bwlch Main is steeper than any other section on Snowdon’s main paths. Making matters worse is the fact that this is a scree slope which makes walking more difficult and dangerous. This section is an accident blackspot. In addition to the risk of slipping, tripping or falling, the path is not clear and difficult to follow increasing the chances of getting lost. This section can start to feel more like mountaineering than hill walking.
  

• Cliffs: Just a few meters north east of the Watkin Path is the Trinity Face; a huge 400m cliff face.
  

• Psychological hazard: Unlike the well-frequented Llanberis Path or Pyg Track, the Watkin Path is quieter and less obvious—often making wrong turns more likely. In addition the exposure near the top is too much for many people.
  

• Seasonal hazards: The hazards on all routes on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) increase in number and severity in winter, but the Watkin Paths steep scree becomes especially treacherous in snow and ice.
  

• Misleading descent: The section of the Watkin Path below Bwlch Main can be seen from the summit on a clear day. The issue is that the ‘obvious’ line to the footpath goes over cliffs. This has been a cause of many mountain rescue incidents over the years.
  

• Length: The length of the footpath plus the additional ascent and descent increases the likelihood of an incident.
  

• Lack of phone signal: The majority of the Watkin Path is in the valleys of Cwm Llan and Cwm Tregalan which don’t have any phone signal. This lack of phone signal makes it difficult and time-consuming to contact Mountain Rescue.

All of these hazards combine resulting in a higher accident risk than on other Snowdon footpaths.

Do Watkin Path safely

Is the Watkin Path more dangerous than other routes?

The hazards found on the Watkin Path make it more dangerous than other walking routes and is why the route sees a disproportionately high number of incidents.

The section of footpath between Bwlch y Saethau and Bwlch Main is a notorious accident blackspot. This steep and loose terrain is more challenging than any other section of Snowdon’s footpaths so is more dangerous. 

The temptation to walk from the summit to below Bwlch Main where the footpath is visible is irresistible to novice hikers. However, this can and has lead to the most severe of consequences.

How to do the Watkin Path safely

The majority of people attempting the Watkin Path climb it without incident. However the hazards found on the route coupled with the high number of incidents illustrate that it should only be attempted by individuals who are fit enough with the right skills and equipment for the conditions. 

Here are the areas which should be considered before attempting the Watkin Path;

• Navigation - Knowing how to read a map and use a compass increases safety significantly. For example, knowing how to take and walk on a compass bearing will ensure the correct line is taken through the accident blackspot where the footpath disappears. 

• Know the descent: instead of dropping off the summit toward the visible footpath, head 150 m past the café along the Rhyd‑Ddu path to meet the Watkin safely.

• Have a plan B: Having a flexible approach and the ability to get down one of the other footpaths saves being trapped at the summit. This is another reason navigation skills are invaluable. 

• Check the weather forecast: The weather can change quickly in the mountains.

• Pack appropriately: Take the right gear based on the weather forecast. 

• Prepare for a big day: The route is the longest up Snowdon so takes more time than others. Be prepared for this and set off early, pack extra snacks, water and possibly a headtorch.

• Be willing to turn around: Sir Ranulph Fiennes, once the Greatest Living Explorer, turned back just 400m below the summit of Everest due to exhaustion. Fiennes lived to fight another day because crucially, he knew his limits. He returned to Everest a year later and successfully climbed it. There are situations on Snowdon where even Sir Ranulph Fiennes would turn around!

• Hire a guide: The Watkin Path isn’t suitable for individuals who are not experienced and don’t have a map and compass and crucially know how to use them. To maximise safety it is recommended that these individuals hire a guide

Hire a guide for Watkin Path

Summary

The physical challenges plus the navigational difficulties make the Watkin Path more dangerous than other routes. These dangers are most significant on the scree slope between Bwlch y Saethau and Bwlch Main which is an accident blackspot. 

Only individuals who are physically fit and have good navigation skills should attempt the Watkin Path in conditions they are prepared for.

Those who are unsure or don’t tick all these boxes should contact a local mountain guiding company if they value safety. 

FAQ's

Is the Watkin Path suitable for beginners?

The Watkin Path isn't really suitable for beginners due to the navigational challenges it poses especially in bad weather. It is quite common for those who don't take a map and compass and/or have good navigation skills to get lost especially near the summit.

Why is it called the Watkin Path?

The Watkin Path is named after Sir Edward Watkin (1819–1901), a Victorian-era industrialist, MP, and railway magnate who played a major role in funding and developing the trail in the 1890s to promote access to Snowdon.

Where to stay for the Watkin Path?

The beautiful village of Beddgelert is the closest to the Watkin Path so is an ideal base.