What is the hardest route up Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa)?
- Walk Snowdonia
- 11 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is the biggest mountain in Wales. There are six main walking footpaths to the summit plus various scrambling routes.
Crib Goch is generally considered to be the hardest way up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). The route is not a walk but a challenging and sustained Grade 1 scramble which is not suitable for beginners. The Watkin Path is the most difficult walking footpath up the mountain.
What are the different types of route up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)?
Reaching the summit of Yr Wyddfa can be achieved through several methods depending on the terrain, difficulty, equipment and experience. Those methods are:
Walking
Scrambling
Climbing
Different routes exist on the mountain to reflect these different styles. There is also a train which goes to the summit most of the year.
This article mainly focuses on the methods which can be used by people without specialist climbing skills and equipment; the walking and Grade 1 (low level) scrambling routes.
What’s the difference between hiking, scrambling and climbing?
Hiking involves walking on trails using your feet.
Climbing usually involves using hands and feet to ascend steep surfaces often with the aid of ropes and special equipment.
Scrambling is the middle ground between hiking and climbing. Hands can be used to scramble up sections of rock. It incorporates steeper and more challenging terrain than hiking but is not as steep and technically demanding as rock climbing.
In the UK, the lower the scrambling grade number the easier it is. Grade 1 scrambles are the entry level grade of scrambling and might be suitable for experienced hill walkers. Ropes and other protection are more likely to be needed for Grade 2 & 3 scrambles due to their increased difficulty and danger.
How hard is Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)?
Mountain hiking is generally considered to be more difficult than hiking in non-mountainous environments such as coastal walks or forest walks. This is due to the steep and rugged terrain.
Yr Wyddfa is the biggest mountain in Wales. This makes it one of the most challenging mountains to climb in the UK, from an endurance perspective. Due it's steepness, terrain and size, Yr Wyddfa more demanding than most hikes.
Variable factors impacting difficulty
The difficulty of climbing any mountain is subjective. Generally, fitter and more experienced individuals find it easier. It is possible for most people with a moderate level of fitness to climb the easier routes on the mountain but these people may benefit from a specific training plan for Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Fitter individuals may be able to deal with the physical demands of the more challenging routes.
The weather and ground conditions on the day make a huge difference. Climbing Snowdon on a warm, still and sunny day in June is a completely different experience to when the conditions are harsher and the days shorter. Wind, rain, temperature, visibility and snow can make climbing Yr Wyddfa significantly more difficult and more dangerous
Hardest Walking Route up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
The Watkin Path is the toughest walking route up Yr Wyddfa. The footpath is the second longest up the mountain with the most elevation gain. In addition, the upper section (pictured) is very rugged as the final part of the ‘footpath’ crosses Snowdon’s South Face via a steep scree slope. People underestimating this section is a common cause of mountain rescue callouts. There is ongoing work to improve this section of the route but progress is slow.
The South Ridge, known as the walkers Crib Goch, is a thrilling ridge that could also be considered the hardest walking route or the easiest scrambling route up the mountain.
Crib Goch: The Hardest Route up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
Crib Goch is generally considered to be the hardest route up Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa). The formidable and sustained route is not suitable for beginners and is not a walk. It is in fact a Grade 1 scramble.
The steep, exposed (scary) and rugged route traverses a wildly narrow knife-edged ridge and incorporates three mountains (Crib Goch, Crib Y Ddysgl & Yr Wyddfa).
The huge drops on the ridge itself require a very strong head for heights and leave little margin for error. Crib Goch is one of the most dangerous mountains in the UK and does see fatalities most years.
The most popular way to access the ridge is via the steep and intimidating Eastern Face. Ascending the face involves technical climbing moves on steep terrain over consequential drops. After climbing the eastern face the narrow ridge is accessed and continues for around 500m taking in the summit of Crib Goch (923m).
This is followed by a scramble over Crib Y Ddysgl (another grade 1 scramble and the second highest mountain in Wales at 1065m!) before the third and final mountain on the route - Yr Wyddfa (1085m)!
The steep, dangerous and technical terrain plus the fact you have to climb two mountains before even reaching Yr Wyddfa combine to make Crib Goch the most difficult route up the highest mountain in Wales.
In a social media post on 13th October 2025 Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team made it clear that Crib Goch is not a hiking route:
“While it’s entirely your choice to take on the iconic ridge that is Crib Goch, it’s crucial to understand the serious risks involved. Crib Goch is a grade one scramble with exposure, steep drops and very little margin for error. It is not a hiking route, and it requires confidence, good conditions and mountain experience. Please… ask yourself honestly - am I experienced enough for this?”
The Routes up Snowdon and their difficulties
In addition to Crib Goch and the Watkin Path there are six other routes to the summit of Yr Wyddfa. These are:
Llanberis Path
At nearly 9 miles it is the longest route up the mountain. The length makes it the least steep route plus the footpath is the best engineered. These factors combine to make it the easiest route.
Miners Track
A route of two halves. The first half to Glaslyn lake is essentially a road and is used by mountain rescue to access the mountain. This part is easier than the Llanberis Path. The second half of the route, above Glaslyn, ramps up in difficulty, steepness and becomes much more rocky. The footpath seemingly disappears making it problematic to route find.
PYG Track
The shortest route with the least elevation gain. The steep sections, rugged terrain and challenging route finding make it harder than the stats suggest.
Ranger Path
The route is roughly as easy as the Llanberis Path. The uneven terrain and single long steep section make it marginally more difficult than the Llanberis Path in the eyes of most (but not all). More people get lost on the Ranger Path compared to the Llanberis.
Rhyd Ddu Path
Navigationally more complex than the easier routes and ridge at the top crosses rough terrain along a narrow ridge. This route is definitely not one for anyone with a fear of heights.
South Ridge
Almost a grade 1 scramble; the narrow(ish) ridge is known as the walkers Crib Goch and is known for it's rugged terrain and tricky navigation. The approach from the Watkin Path side is the most difficult.
Scrambling & multi-mountain routes
In addition to the main routes are two popular multi-mountain routes. These are…
Snowdon Horseshoe (Grade 1 Scramble & multi-mountain route)
South Snowdon Horseshoe (Grade 1 Scramble & multi-mountain route)
Endurance Challenges
There are some routes which incorporate Yr Wyddfa but the difficulty of the challenge becomes greater than climbing a single mountain. For those who are interested, some of these challenges include:
Paddy Buckley Round
How difficult is the easiest route compared to the hardest route?
The Llanberis Path is generally considered to be the easiest walking route up Yr Wyddfa and the most suitable for beginners.
Llanberis Path vs. Watkin Path
The difference between the Llanberis Path and the Watkin Path is not wildly different as they both fall into the same category of ‘walking’ routes and they go up the same mountain. The stats show that they are a similar length (around 14km) and gain a similar amount of elevation (around 1000m).
That said, the Watkin Path is steeper and more rugged than the Llanberis Path so feels noticeably harder. It is also more complex navigationally. Whilst most reasonably fit adults can make it up the Llanberis Path, they may struggle with the Watkin Path physically, psychologically and navigationally.
Llanberis Path vs. Crib Goch
The difference between the Llanberis Path and Crib Goch is striking as they are different types of route.
Unlike walking routes, scrambles involve the use of hands to scramble up steep sections of rock. Compared to the Llanberis Path; Crib Goch is...
Hugely more exposed (scary)
Much more rugged
Notably steeper
Significantly more dangerous
Easiest | Hardest | |
Distance | PYG Track 6 miles (10.6km) | Llanberis Path 9 miles (14.4km) |
Elevation Gain | PYG/ Miners Track 750m | Watkin Path 1020m |
Terrain | Llanberis Path Hiking route | Crib Goch Grade 1 scramble |
Fear factor | Llanberis Path No cliffs | Crib Goch Big cliffs |
Danger | The Train Excellent safety record | Crib Goch 2 deaths per year |
Is Crib Goch the hardest route up Snowdon?
Crib Goch is the hardest route attempted by individuals with no technical climbing experience or gear. However, there are harder routes up Yr Wyddfa for those with the skills and equipment. Any one of the numerous grade 2 & 3 scrambles or rock climbing routes is harder than Crib Goch.
The hardest and most notorious of the rock climbing routes is ‘The Indian Face’ on Clogwyn Du’r Arddu. The line is graded E9 6c and was one of the hardest routes in the world when it was first climbed in 1986. Decades later it is still one of the most intimidating climbs in the world and rarely repeated!
FAQ's
How fit do you need to be to climb Snowdon?
Most reasonably fit adults are capable of hiking up the Llanberis Path and more athletic individuals may cope with the demands of the more difficult routes.
Can you get lost on Snowdon?
Yes, there are multiple mountain rescue callouts every month for people getting lost on Yr Wyddfa. The Llanberis Path is the easiest to navigate but it is possible to get lost on all the footpaths.
Does Snowdon close?
No, Yr Wyddfa doesn't close an there are no restrictions on hiking up it. The responsibility lies with the individual rather than the National Park authority.
