Summit Snowdon Challenge - Watkin Path

Summit Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) by walking and scrambling up the Watkin Path with a qualified and experienced Large Outdoors guide.

Experience Type: Day Experience
Distance: Approx. 8 miles (12.9km)
Duration: Most groups complete this walk in 6-8 hours
Level: Active Plus (see Large Outdoors Experience Levels here)
Age: 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by their parent/guardian throughout)
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

We are not currently offering this walk.

If you would like to organise your own private walk we can arrange this via our Hire a Guide service. Details can be found here…

How do we grade our walks?

Explore our experience levels here!

The Route - Snowdon’s Watkin Path

This route is Large Outdoors’ most challenging walk to the summit of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa). Not only does the route start at the lowest point of all the other routes - meaning you have to climb higher - but close to the summit there is a substantial bit of scrambling too.

Our journey starts in Nantgwynant, the beautiful valley to the south of Snowdon, filled with woodlands, and with the sleepy Glaslyn River winding its way through farmland and between small craggy hills. This path is the only one up Snowdon that begins in a woodland, and we’ll have a few minutes of peace as we head through it, listening to the sound of birdsong before committing ourselves to the climb ahead.

The track then leads up into the vast glacial valley of Cwm Llan, and although there are some uphill sections, these first miles are relatively easy underfoot. We can admire the crags of Y Lliwedd above us while passing next to the waterfalls of the Afon Cwm Llan.

In Cwm Llan itself we pass Gladstone Rock, where British Prime Minister Gladstone opened Watkin's path and then began a walk up it at the ripe old age of 89. We'll also see the remains of the slate mines that were once active in this valley, where hundreds of men were employed to dig out the valuable rock used for roofing and building materials all over the world.

The summit of Snowdon soon becomes visible, and after reaching the slate mines, our track becomes a path and winds its way steeply up to the Bwlch y Saethau, one of the mythological places King Arthur was killed.

After a brief respite along some level ground, with views of the ridge of Crib Goch to the north, we begin the final pull up to the summit, over sometimes loose ground on a narrow path. This is definitely a time for concentration, when your Large Outdoors guide will be able to give you a helping hand if you need it.

After drinking in the summit views, stretching from the north coast all the way down to mid-Wales and sometimes even west all the way to Ireland, we'll have plenty of time for photographs and congratulations before the descent.

For our descent we have a few options depending on the weather and how you've found the walk so far. We can either descend the south ridge, which includes some minor scrambling and allows us to see the brilliant ridge of Bwlch Main, or perhaps take the Miner's path down to Pen-y-Pass before getting the Snowdon Shrepa Bus (don’t forget your bus fare!) back to Nantgwynant.

Most groups complete this walk in 6-8 hours.

Good to Know

Meeting Time: 8am (to start walking at 8:15am)
Meeting Location:
Pont Bethania Car Park (for Watkin Path)
Nant Gwynant
LL55 4NR
This car park is located on the A498 (just north of Caffi Gwynant). Your guide will meet you next to the pay-and-display machine in the car park.
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Parking: The meeting location is in a pay-and-display car park (£6 all day - card payments only), please only park in the marked bays.
Please Note: You may descend from the summit of Snowdon via a route which requires a journey on the Snowdon Sherpa Bus to return to the meeting location - please ensure you bring £3 (cash/card) for the bus fare.
Included:
- A Large Outdoors guide to lead you on your walk.
- The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
- Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not included:
- Travel to and from the meeting location.
- Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
- Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
Please see our General (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.
What level of fitness is needed? This experience is graded as Active Plus and you certainly need to be capable of managing ascent and descent - you’ll be summiting Wales’ highest mountain after all! You’ll be walking around 8 miles (12.9km) on the day, so ensure your training walks are an appropriate length and don’t forget to include some hills! Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.
Is there a time limit? We generally allow up to 8 hours to complete the walk (up to the summit and back to the meeting location), which is adequate for the majority of participants. Our guides do their very best to accommodate the speed of the group they are leading, whilst providing the encouragement needed to complete the challenge. Most groups complete this walk in 6-8 hours.
Can I buy food/drink on the walk? There are no guaranteed stops for water refills or food along the route, so you should bring sufficient water (at least 2-3 litres per person) and plenty of food. Hafod Eryri – the summit building - is usually open from late spring until late autumn, with a café serving hot and cold drinks, plus snacks (but this is independently operated so we can’t guarantee availability, or that there will be time for your group to visit).
Is there a toilet? There are usually public toilets available at the meeting location and Hafod Eryri – the summit building - is usually open from late spring until late autumn and has toilets (but these are independently operated, so we can’t guarantee availability).
What transport is provided during this experience? We do not provide any transport for this experience. You may descend from the summit of Snowdon via a route which requires a journey on the Snowdon Sherpa Bus to return to the meeting location - please ensure you bring £3 (cash/card) for the bus fare.
Can I attend on my own Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.
Can I bring my dog? Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

Why walk with a guide?

Walking with a guide is an enjoyable, inspiring experience that helps you get the most out of your adventures.

Tackling a mountain isn’t something many of us do often, so we always recommend doing so with an experienced, qualified guide.

Why?

Well, our guides are expert navigators with in-depth knowledge of the routes. They understand the weather conditions and can decide the safest course of action should the weather change. Our guides are first-aid certified and know how to handle unexpected emergency situations.

Our guides will pace the walk, helping you travel at a comfortable pace while providing encouragement. And what’s more, the guides on your challenge will know lots about the area, sharing fascinating information and answering your questions.