Snowdon via Miner's Track and Pyg Track is a 7.5 mile loop trail located near Llanberis, Gwynedd, Wales that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking.
Circular route from the car park at Pen-y-Pass youth hostel in Snowdonia National Park. Take the Pyg Track and Llanberis path to the top of Snowdon (the highest mountain in Wales), and return via the Miners Track back to Pen-y-Pass. The Pyg Path will give you an easier ascent. Parking can be difficult - we recommend arriving early! You will need to pay for parking on the side of the road unless you get further away from the trailhead. Follow all signs as tickets are sometimes given here. The Bwlch Glas section is the toughest part of this trail and should be treated with respect. Keep strictly to the path. There is a visitor centre at the summit of Snowdon. Stunning views from the top! In Welsh folklore, the summit of Snowdon is said to be the tomb of the giant Rhitta Gawr who wore a cloak made of men's beards, and was slain by King Arthur after claiming Arthur's beard. According to legend, Arthur had Bedivere throw his sword Excalibur into Glaslyn, where Arthur's body was later placed in a boat to be carried away to Afallon. Glaslyn was also said to be the final resting place of a water monster, known as an afanc, which had plagued the people of the Conwy valley. They tempted the monster out of the water with a young girl, before securing it with chains and dragging it to Glaslyn.
Done this route back in Feb 2020. Initially very easy on the Miners Path at the beginning with not much climb, good views and nice lakes to see and have a picnic next to. But then it’s quite a tough climb from the base upwards, with no flat areas to get a break from base to peak really, we went about a week or so after it had snowed so as we got nearer the top there was still ice and snow. Was surprisingly busy also and some of the paths aren’t wide enough to pass which got a little frustrating at times, couldn’t imagine what it would be like peak season. Came down via Pyg track which was a gentle decline the whole way down and quite easy on tired legs. Saw a lot of people wearing trainers though, wouldn’t recommend. Coming down is tough on the ankles and can’t imagine trainers give enough ankle support so would highly recommend proper boots.
Never summited because of my wee Vizsla, she was cold so had to turn back... Howling weather and beautiful views man!
I did this hike back in late September 2020. Parking: It was a weekend on a bluebird day. As expected it was an absolute free-for-all. We got so so lucky as we turned up around midday and managed to fit into the one space available at the start of the track. Parking I think was £10. Most people were having to park a good 2km away from the start of the trail and walk, so if doing this in summer make sure you arrive insanely early. I've heard the parking fills up at 7am sometimes in the summer. There is a park & ride service available also. During COVID the hostel pub by the parking was takeaway only. This trail is STUNNING!!! We did the Pgy Track to the summit and returned via the Miners Track. The pyg track to the summit provides a more slow gradual ascent, the Miners will mean a sharp ascent right at the end. If you are a very experienced mountain hiker, then this trail may not provide much of a challenge, rather a pleasant day hike. If you don't hike frequently (like many who hike this trail) then it will be a challenge. I felt like it wasn't quite gnarly enough, and my friend was destroyed by it. It is all uphill hiking on a clear set path. It is extremely rocky underfoot, so the right footwear is essential (A lot of people were doing this in the wrong footwear!). There is minimal scrambling involved. In summer on a weekend this trail is a bit of a zoo. At one point it was like doing the conga, with human traffic jams at certain parts. There was trash strewn along the trail. As somebody who likes remote hiking, this made it slightly stressful. However the scenery is mind blowing so it's worth it. The summit is FREEZING COLD and very windy unless you find the right spot. Even if it's a sunny day, make sure you pack plenty of layers and decent gloves for the summit for the intense wind chill. It is amazing. Enjoy!
Arrived around 8:30am on a Thursday at Pen Y Pass Car Park with plenty of spaces left. Weather was great and only ran into a few people heading up on Pyg and a couple people coming down from their sunrise trek. The hike up Pyg was a nice gradual uphill with some stairs and scrambling involved. Summit was more crowded towards midday with people coming from different trails. Coming down Miner’s way was great! Much easier on the knees once it flattens out a bit by the lakes. Overall solid hike with plenty of great views when the weather is clear.
Phenomenal, but, listen to everyone else's advise about parking, we arrived at 7:30am and it was full, that added 6km to our day
Amazing trail climbed up the pyg and down miners, weather was perfect! If you can not park in the main car park, make sure you bring coins for the lay by pay and display machines
Took Miners Path up and Pyg down. I think this was a good way to go. Pyg did have some steeper sections than Miners but the steep section was for less distance than the stairs on Miners. The whole path was beautiful all around, and I must have taken 100 photos. The top was crowded even mid week, but the view was good for 360 degrees. The clouds rolled in after a bit and blocked the views coming down somewhat, but it was still beautiful.