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Pretty much decided to camp in North Wales in a couple of weeks. For some reason I really want to walk up Snowdon. Im not particulary fit, not couch potato unfit, I walk the dog and i'm out and about a lot taking photographs. Am I mad to be thinking of it? And if I'm not which path should I take?

The easiest route is Llanberis path, park at the top of the pass and you are already half way to the top. Then a steady walk for about 1 1/2 hours followed by the last 1/2 mile which is a bit more strenuous, at least there is a cafe at the top for a beer.

The main thing is to watch the weather, it can make any easy walk into a nightmare. And make sure you have the correct clothing boots etc.

Do a google search there are loads of info on all the snowdon routes.

If you are unsure about the walk, but just want to go up and enjoy the view, then why not take the train?  then you have the choice of walking back down (the lesser strenuous option) and returning to the carpark, although a word of warning, you need to get there early in the day before all spaces are taken, its a popular spot and the car park holds 50 cars max, and also dont forget to pack your survival kit incase of any emergancies or weather changes. Carry a couple of the foil blankets, plenty of warm clothing (it can be freezing cold up there even on a warm day) some high energy food such as chocolate or the famous Kendal mint cake, plenty of soft drinks/water, a bright coloured coat or jumper so you can easily be spotted and a torch and mirror for attacting attention, and a fully charged mobile phone.

For a less challenging mountain walk, try the Sychnant Pass, just about a mile to the south of Conwy, beautiful scenery, well used paths, and a good training patch before you finally try and conquer the big one lol. Theres a small carpark at the head of the gorge which has a path running from it up through the mountain tops, about an hours walk and you have stunning views over the Menai straights, Great Orme, and down towards Snowdonia. Nearby campsite is Conwy tourist park, although there are plenty of others in the area a little further away.

Julia   

Snowdon may be a tourist destination, but it regularly kills those who do not pay it the respect it deserves.  The weather is the biggest worry, closely followed by the ground underfoot.  The route up from LLanberis should be OK.  Someone once drove a car up there.  It is steep though.  Thjere was a fatal train crash on the railway the very day it opened.  You must be able to navigate using a compass as if the cloud covers the top there are a number of quite scary routes off the top.  Crib Goch is like walking down a Dragon's back. People fall of that to their death every year.  From the top there is quite a bit of loose scree just down from the cafe.  This has proven a killer over the years too.  All this isn't to say  you shouldn't go, just be careful.  Walking sticks are a big help.  Wear good boots, take good waterproofs, a map & compass & be sure you know how to find the correct path in fog on the summit.  Enjoy.

Steve.

The pyg track starts at Pen y Pass which is 360m ( 1200 ft ) which gives you a head start and imho gives some of the best views of all.  As Ken says you can descend the Miners Track to the start point or any of the other paths and get back using the Snowdon Sherpa bus service.

The main problem with the Pyg track is gettin to Pen y Pass car park early enough to get a space.

The Llanberis Pass is the longest (and busiest) route at 10 mile round trip which can take about 7 hours.  I would recommend you go up the Snowdon Ranger and down the Rhyd Ddu which is about 7 mile.  There is a great campsite situated about halfway between the two points which are 2 miles apart. 

I will get some links for you when I get a minute  (just got to pop out). 

Hi here are the links which I think will be useful for you

http://www.visitsnowdonia.info/

http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/snowdon_paths

http://www.snowdonia.org/ (Info on Beddgelert)

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/results3.asp?search=cwellyn+arms&by=sitename (great to finish your walk off here with a well deserved pint!)

http://www.snowdoniagreenkey.co.uk/index2.asp?id=5 (The Sherpa Bus will connect you to the two walking points - The Snowdon Ranger - Rhyd Ddu)

This is the view to the East from the summit and the 2 paths seen are the Pyg track ( higher one ) and the Miners path ( lower one ).   This is arguably the best side of the mountain and why the 2 paths are so popular. 

There is a route over the ridge to the left ( Crib Goch ) but is exposed and not for people with vertigo or don't like using their hands.

I once took a freind up the Watkin path and he didn't want to go back that way ( because of the scree) so we descended the Pyg track to Pen y Pass, then I walked down to Pen y Gwryd and hitched a lift to the start of the Watkin path to fetch the car.

This is looking from Crib Goch with Snowdon summit in the background.  Taken some years ago and scanned - hence poor picture quality.

Really interested in this thread, as I've challenged myself to a first ascent of Snowdon in June, at the age of (a rather dodgy!) 58!

I've been building up to it slowly, and have already conquered the Malvern Ridge (sore knees!), The Wrekin (aching ankles!) and an eight-mile riverside walk in the Severn Valley (blisters! ) apart from loads of shorter walks and climbs.  I still don't know whether Snowdon is wise, but I've promised by family I'm doing it with them, so that's that.

We're planning to do the Ranger's Path.  Got my kit sorted out now (boots that don't give me blisters!) and all the rest.  Can anyone give advice on what sort of sustenance to take.  My kids say Mars bars, but choccy makes me thirsty.  Is Kendal Mint Cake as good as they say?  And would you take water or an energy drink like Lucozade?

Thanks for the thread, Vikki Ricketts,

FoO