Yr Wyddfa/ Snowdon is the tallest mountain in Wales and has incredible views of the surrounding area.
Climbing Yr Wyddfa/ Snowdon is strenuous. The physical challenges are often the hardest. Other factors influencing the difficulty include; route choice, weather conditions, psychological challenges and navigation. In spite of these challenges over half a million people climb Snowdon every year.
In this article we start by looking at the challenges of climbing Yr Wyddfa/ Snowdon and then offer advice on how to overcome them.
Physical Challenges
For most people, on most days, the physical challenges of climbing Yr Wyddfa/ Snowdon have the greatest impact on the perceived level of difficulty. The physical challenge is the combination of; height gain, steepness, distance and terrain.
Fitter individuals will be better prepared and more capable of dealing with these challenges. In spite of this, most UK adults are capable of climbing mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa).
Height gain
The height of the mountain means that you will be finishing over one thousand meters above sea level (1085m to be precise). That is over 1 kilometre into the sky.
Climbing up to this height is demanding on the body. The cardiovascular system and leg muscles have to work much harder than on flat terrain. The steeper the ground the harder they work.
Steepness
The steepness or 'gradient' of the mountain significantly impacts difficulty. Anyone who has ever walked up a small hill knows how much more difficult going up is than walking on flat ground.
Steeper terrain engages the leg muscles as those muscles work harder to power you up the ascent or slow you down on the descent. The steeper the terrain, the more your muscles have to work.
To do this, there is an increased load on the cardiovascular system which works hard to provide the leg muscles with the oxygen and energy they need, hence the feeling of breathlessness. In addition, the feeling of sore legs and feet occurs sooner and with greater intensity.
The steeper routes on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) are generally considered to be more difficult.
Distance
The distance of the hike from the car park to summit Snowdon is no more than 14.4km (8.9 miles). This would take around 20,000 steps which is a distance that most people can walk relatively comfortably.
So why does Snowdon feel further?
When the moderate distance of Snowdon's footpaths is combined with the other physical challenges (height gain, steepness & terrain) the difficulty increases substantially.
In addition to the strain experienced as a result of the steepness, the issue is that, the more height that is gained, the further you actually have to walk to cover the same horizontal distance. This is due to the fact that the distance from Point A to Point B is measured in two dimensions on the earth's surface. Think of a paper map. When measuring distances on a paper map you measure distance on a flat piece of paper (2D). Fitness trackers measure distance in the same way, (they use satellites to determine the devices location as a coordinate based on latitude and longitude at sea level). They don't take into account elevation which is the third dimension (3D). When you factor in trigonometry the 3D distance (the distance actually walked) is greater than the 2D distance as measured on a map or by a fitness tracker.
Terrain
The terrain on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is uneven, rocky, loose, steep and often slippery. Sometimes the footpaths can be a combination of all of the above. This increases the danger of injury and makes walking more laborious than normal to safely navigate these challenges.
Some of the big steps that are required are much more difficult than normal walking. Some of the steps that are required are similar to doing a weighted Step Up or Bulgarian Split Squat at the gym. Most people in the gym do around 8-15 reps. On Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) it will be more like 30,000!
Compounding effect of the Physical Challenges
In isolation each of these factors aren't particularly significant.
For example, simply walking the distance of Snowdon's longest footpath isn't that hard by itself. Similarly, walking up a steep single flight of stairs isn't that arduous.
However it is when all of the physical challenges are all combined that the overall difficulty increases substantially.
The combination of the; height gain, steep ascent (and descent), distance and terrain have a compounding effect. The combined effects of all the physical challenges are much greater than the sum of the parts.
Take a look at our blog Training for Snowdon to prepare for these challenges and for a free training plan
Route Challenges
As we have seen, the physical challenges combine to affect the overall difficulty of the climb.
One of the reasons it is so popular is that there are 6 main walking routes the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) of varying difficulty. Each route has a different blend of Physical Challenges (height gain, steepness, distance and terrain) which affect the overall difficulty. In addition, some of the routes are more scary. Some of the routes are classed as relatively 'easy' walks whilst others are technical Grade 1 scrambles.
The Llanberis Path is generally considered the easiest. Although it is the longest, the terrain is generally good and it is the least steep footpath as it follows the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Most reasonably fit and determined adults are capable of doing this.
The other trails are generally steeper and have more difficult terrain. The Watkin Path is the toughest walking route up Snowdon.
We have ranked the footpaths from easiest to hardest with a summary of what makes it difficult:
The Llanberis Path is 9 miles long and takes around 6-7 hours to complete (up and down). It's length makes the Llanberis Path arduous. The two steep ascents on the tarmac and just past Clogwyn Station are generally considered to be the most difficult sections and is where many people give up. This is the easiest footpath.
The Snowdon Ranger Path is 8 miles long and takes around 7 hours to complete. The steep section on this footpath is sustained whereas on the Llanberis Path it is split into two shorter sections. In addition the Ranger Path is a little more rugged and difficult to navigate. The hardest section comes after Llyn Ffynnon y Gwas as you ascend a series of rocky steps on fairly rugged terrain.
The Pyg Track is 7 miles long and can take less than 6 hours to complete. Although it is the shortest route it crosses very rugged terrain for a sustained distance which makes it more difficult than many of the longer alternatives. This footpath requires confident footing, good balance and a decent tolerance of heights.
The Miners Path is 7 miles long and takes around 6 hours up and down. It is a route of two halves with the lower half being easy. From Glaslyn lake the route takes on a completely different character as the footpath disappears in parts as it steepens significantly.
The Rhyd Ddu Path is 7 miles long and takes around 6-7 hours to complete. It is one of the shorter routes and can be completed in a good time by experienced hikers. The main difficulty is the narrow ridge near the top which requires a good head for heights. Route finding to access the ridge is not easy.
The Watkin Path is over 8 miles and takes usually takes 8 hours to complete. It is generally considered to be the most difficult walking footpath to the summit due to the physical challenges of length, height gain and the steep scree slope near the top.
Weather Challenges
Conditions can have a significant impact on the difficulty of the climb.
With all other factors being equal, poor weather or poor ground conditions can make or break any summit attempt, even for the most experienced mountaineer.
Wind is the weather that usually has the biggest impact. Walking uphill into a strong headwind is always arduous, possibly dangerous and at times impossible. Battling up the Llanberis Path in gale force winds is harder than climbing Crib Goch in perfect conditions.
In addition to this, ground conditions, such as snow and ice can make even the easiest route extremely treacherous. Earlier this year there were four Mountain Rescue incidents happening simultaneously on a sunny and warm day spring day on the Llanberis Path. The issue was the snow which had fallen earlier in the week causing the footpath to become treacherous. The weather forecast doesn't show the ground conditions and looked like a sunny and warm day, which it was!
Rain, temperature and fog also pose their own unique challenges.
Psychological Challenges
Like any notable achievement, climbing a mountains requires determination and perseverance. In the right conditions, with no precluding medical issues, most individuals are physically capable of climbing Snowdon.
Some of the footpaths are more scary than others. Individuals with a fear of heights can struggle on the more difficult footpaths as these tend to be steeper and more exposed.
For many people who don't make it, the mind gives up before the body does.
Some people underestimate how hard climbing Snowdon is and are unaware of the challenges involved. This mismatch between the perceived difficulty and the actual difficulty can cause people to give up and not make it to the top.
The mountain environment is one that most people are not familiar with. The height, steep drops, rocky terrain, extreme weather, poor visibility and false summits are part of the challenge psychologically as much as physically.
Bad weather sapps morale faster than good weather and this is made worse for those who are suffering because they are cold or wet. Individuals who dress appropriately and take the right equipment will be prepared to deal with all but the very worst of weather.
Route Finding Challenges
With the exception of a marker stone at the very bottom and near the top, the routes up Snowdon are not signposted. The easier and more popular routes are generally easy to follow.
In good conditions, it would be difficult to get lost on the easier footpaths such as the Llanberis Path or PYG Track. However, the weather conditions and visibility can suddenly change in the mountains and make navigation difficult. People do get lost on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), especially in poor visibility.
The quieter routes are generally more difficult to navigate. All of the routes have accident blackspots and those who stray off the footpath can quickly get into trouble especially on Snowdon's many cliffs.
For individuals who aren't confident map reading it is advised that they join an inexpensive Group Walk or hire a guide for the day, especially if they wish to do quieter and more challenging routes.
Conclusion on the Challenges of climbing Snowdon
The challenges of Snowdon work together to impact the overall difficulty. The Physical Challenges are usually the most significant but the other factors, in particular weather, can have a big influence and can sometimes exceed the physical challenges.
Most individuals are capable of climbing Snowdon which is why it is the most popular mountain in the UK. The most common causes of failure are: lack of fitness, lack of mental resilience, poor weather, dangerous ground conditions and getting lost.
We will now look at what can be done to reduce the difficulty of these challenges and increase the chance of success.
Advice to make Snowdon easier
The challenges outlined above are the same for everyone. Some people find the climb easier than others due to a combination of their: Fitness Levels, Experience, Equipment and Nutrition. Below are the top tips and hacks from our Mountain Leaders who work on Snowdon every day.
10 Top tips for climbing Snowdon
Experience teaches you many things but the most important things we have learned from over 20 years climbing mountains are:
1. Increase fitness levels - Fitter individuals are better prepared for the physical challenges that climbing mount Snowdon demands. To make it easier both physically and mentally increase: cardiovascular fitness, leg strength and endurance.
2. Walk slowly/ Give yourself plenty of time - The feeling of breathlessness can be almost eliminated entirely by walking slowly. The earlier you start the slower you can go and this also has the benefit of giving you more time to enjoy the view.
3. Take small steps - This reduces the range of motion and load on legs. This has the dual benefit of reducing the strain on the cardiovascular system (reduced breathlessness) and less muscle soreness.
4. Choose a route based on ability - The Llanberis Path is generally considered the easiest route however it is also the longest. If endurance is an issue, one of the shorter routes might be better.
5. Walking Poles - If used correctly they can take 20-30% of the load off the legs. This will reduce the load on leg muscles and cardiovascular system.
6. Learn about the challenges beforehand - Visualise what they will feel like. This will reduce the surprises on the day and build mental resilience.
7. Remove the stress and pressure of the summit - After safety the main goal should be to have a nice walk and an enjoyable day. Reaching the summit is a nice bonus.
8. Take the right Equipment - Mountain walking essentials include: Walking boots, Waterproofs, Extra warm layers, Plenty of water, First aid kit.
9. Fuel correctly - Climbing Snowdon burns over a thousand calories. To maintain energy levels it's important to eat the right foods at the right time. Eat foods that are high in carbohydrates before the walk such as: porridge, brown rice or pasta. Eat snacks that are high in energy on the mountain such as: energy bars, chocolate, nuts or dried fruit. Energy gels can be useful as a 'pick me up' but should be used in conjunction with 'proper food' and not as a replacement.
10. Gain experience - An individual's level of experience has a big impact on the perceived level of difficulty. People climbing their first mountain have no benchmark so all of the challenges will be new and sometimes this can feel overwhelming.
Consider a mountain guide
A instant solution to deal with the difficulties and challenges of Climbing Snowdon is to do it with an experienced mountaineer such as a mountain guide. They can offer advice and pointers on how to make the walk easier. This will also offload some of the physical and much of the psychological stress onto a trained professional.
A good Snowdon guiding company will send you kit lists based on the time of year & weather forecast and answer your questions before and during the hike. In addition, having a trained professional provides a high level of psychological reassurance. They have the qualifications, experience and knowledge to ensure safety and increase the chance of success.
Join an inexpensive Group Walk on a set date or choose your own date and route with your own mountain guide
Conclusion
Climbing Snowdon is a challenging but rewarding experience that offers breathtaking views of Snowdonia National Park.
The perceived level of difficulty is influenced by the physical challenges, route, weather conditions and psychology.
These challenges are easier to surmount with good fitness levels, a strong mind, appropriate route choice, the right equipment, good nutrition and experience.
Many of the Challenges can be reduced or mitigated with a mountain guide.
With the right preparation, gear, and mindset, it is possible for most reasonably fit adults to summit Wales’ highest peak.
Further information
Altitude sickness on Snowdon
Altitude sickness usually occurs above 2500m so Snowdon (1085m) it is not high enough to cause it. You can't get altitude sickness in the UK.
Getting to Snowdon
Snowdon is located in Snowdonia National Park, Wales, and can be accessed by car, bus, or train.
The nearest train station is Bangor, and from there, you can take a bus or taxi to the mountain.
The Snowdon Sherpa Bus connects all the footpaths around the mountain but the service is infrequent on the south and west side of the mountain (Ranger Path, Rhyd Ddu Path, Watkin Path).
There are several car parks available, including Pen y Pass Car Park (Pyg & Miner's Track), Llyn Cwellyn Car Park (Ranger Path), and Rhyd Ddu Car Park (Rhyd Ddu Path)
Safety and Precautions
Always check the weather forecast before you go and be prepared for changing conditions. Your plans may need to change too.
Wear suitable clothing and footwear, and bring plenty of water and snacks.
Let someone know your planned route and estimated return time.
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