After climbing Mount Snowdon a couple of years ago and choosing the Rangers path, this year we decided to choose a different path. We chose Llanberis path for climbing Mount Snowdon this year for a few different reasons.
The main reason was because some of the other names trails looked quite difficult. Llanberis path is dubbed “the tourist trail” or “the easy path” when people look to climb Snowdon. But let’s be real, every path finishes at the summit, so each path has to get to the same place. It can’t be that easy can it!
Snowdon Llanberis path is the longest path to the summit at around 4 miles in distance. It’s the longest because it goes around the mountain, but if you don’t want to scramble up ricks, then this is the path for you.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase via our links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you*
Snowdon Llanberis Path Parking
There is a large car park right opposite the Snowdon Mountain Railway entrance in Llanberis. This is the easiest place to park for climbing Mount Snowdon Llanberis path. It’s not the closest car park to the start of the trail though.
There are no toilet facilities in this car park, so your options are the railway if it’s open when you start your climb, or some public toilets a few hundred yards down the road away from the railway station.
The postcode for this Llanberis path car park is LL55 4TT, along Victoria Terrace. From the car park, cross the road facing the railway station and turn left. Follow the road around the corner and up a slight incline and take the next right hand turn. Along this residential road you’ll also spot a gift shop for your Snowdon trinkets.
At the end of this road your journey will begin as you cross the cattle grid.
Hiking Snowdon Llanberis Path
Once you cross the cattle grid at the end of Victoria Terrace, the concrete road takes a sharp incline for around ten minutes. This is quite a shock to some people how sharp the hill is at the beginning of the path. As you pass some fields and then a cafe, you will reach the Llanberis path sign after a short while.
At this point, the path flattens out considerably and you are now officially on the path to the Snowdon summit.
There are some amazing views on Mount Snowdon. Llanberis path isn’t known for it’s stunning views, but there are still some great sights to be seen. Especially if you have a clear day and the cloud disappears.
Around half way up the mountain, you will pass a small cafe kiosk called The Halfway House. If you need essential supplies they are often available here at a cost.
Your walk should be quite enjoyable for around half an hour with only a slight gradual incline. After a while you will round a small corner and be faced with a long incline which gets steeper. This is the start of the real climb.
At the top of what feels like a never ending stair case, the path levels to cross under the railway track. On your walk up you will notice that you are walking alongside the railway, so you may even see the train pass you.
Passing under the railway bridge, you are near the edge of the mountain for a while. This is quite a steep incline from here with loose gravel and compacted ground with jutting out rocks.
Eventually when the ground starts to level out, you will see people in the distance to your right hand side if the cloud is clear. This is the Rangers path which will join Llanberis path soon.
When you spot the sign directing you to the summit, it’s easy to think you’ve almost made it. It can take another twenty minutes or so to reach the actual summit to save that willpower.
At the actual summit, there is the cafe and train station. The all important toilets are here too at the top.
How Long Will It Take To Hike Llanberis Path?
Depending on your level of fitness, it can take anywhere between two and four hours to climb Llanberis path. During our hike, we climbed to the summit in two hours fifty minutes. It then took nearly three hours to walk back down the mountain due to the amount of people on the path.
Llanberis Path Top Tips
If you’re going to choose Mount Snowdon Llanberis path for your Snowdon adventure, then I really advise you starting as early as you can. We crossed the cattle grid at 7.30am and reached the summit by 10.30am.
After a short break at the top for food, photos and a drink, we started our descent by around 11.15am. The amount of people we encountered walking up as we were walking down was vast. This slows your descent down a lot, something that didn’t happen on the Rangers path previously.
Even people with great fitness levels can struggle climbing a mountain. I recommend taking lots of snacks such as flap jacks and nuts to keep your energy up. A packet of sweets is perfect for a quick sugar hit, and of course plenty of water. I actually packed some electrolyte tablets and they worked a treat.
Related posts –
Packing kit list for Mount Snowdon
