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Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

English/Welsh
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
1085 m (3559 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
SH60985438
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
n/a
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
3
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
The Cairn of Rhudda the Giant
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  115   Snowdon & Caernarfon
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
Yr Wyddfa ( Snowdon) (3000ft+) is the highest peak in the Snowdonia National Park (Wales) and the highest British summit outwith Scotland. This is a massive craggy mountain with ridges running to most points of the compass.

The summit of Yr Wyddfa lies at the confluence of three ridges; the NE slopes are craggy, falling steeply to the Glaslyn, and the other slopes are scree-covered with rocky outcrops. The SE ridge falls steeply to Bwlch y Saethau, then a broad rise is followed by a further fall to Bwlch Ciliau (744m, the col with Y Llewedd (2500ft+) ). The more gently graded SW ridge forms a narrow arête over Bwlch Main then divides into a S ridge above the E-facing Clogwyn Du crags falling to Bwlch Cwm Llan (the col with Yr Aran), and a W ridge (Llechog) above a N-facing cliff. The gently-inclined N ridge falls to Bwlch Glas (998m) then turns NE to subsidiary top Garnedd Ugain (1065m).

From Garnedd Ugain, a further three ridges arise. NW slopes fall gently to 880m where they are broken by the Clogwyn crags, and here the W ridge (Clogwyn Du’r Arddhu) carries the ‘Snowdon Ranger’ path from Llyn Cwellyn. The N ridge carries Snowdon Mountain Railway plus the ‘Llanberis Path’, a gently-graded descent route. Finally, the rocky E ridge falls to Bwlch Coch (858m) then rises over narrow and exposed pinnacles to Crib Goch (923m) before descending to Pen-y-pass.

Lovers of solitude should save this excellent peak for a good off-season day.

Hazards you may encounter on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Stony/rocky Slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 Narrow Ridges, with exposure.
 Scrambling (minor), easy hand and footholds.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
A special thank you to David S Brown for his work on this and all of the England/Wales information.
Picture Gallery for Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

Snowdon seen from the summit of Elidir Fawr. Crib Goch is to the left; and (rounded) Garnedd Ugain almost completely hides Yr Wyddfa, whose pointed top is only just visible.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

Climbing above Glaslyn.

© Gareth Pratt
Image by Gareth Pratt

Approaching the summit of Yr Wyddfa from the North; with the mountain railway station and the new restaurant on right.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

Snowdon and Cwm Dyli from above the Miners' Track

© Ian Evans
Image by Ian Evans
View All 27 Images for Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
Snowdonia
by MWIS (PDF format) 		Snowdonia
by Met Office 		Snowdon
by Metcheck
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

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The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1135 m 12.32 km 4.5 hrs Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and Y Lliwedd  This moderate route from Nant Gwynant provides a straightforward traverse of Yr Wyddfa on broad ridges and slopes with scree; and with some scrambling required to reach Y Llewedd by a short detour.  
2 1185 m 11.05 km 4.5 hrs Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and Y Lliwedd  The classic ‘Snowdon Horseshoe’, the finest and most challenging ridge walk in England/Wales, worth saving for a good off-season day. Scrambling near crags with some exposure is involved over the Crib Goch pinnacles and the traverse of Y Llewedd’s crest.  
3 945 m 14.71 km 4.5 hrs Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)  Long circular traverse of Yr Wyddfa from the West on paths, on broad slopes and ridges (some narrow). In high summer this walk may be achieved from Caernarfon using the first and last timetabled runs of the West Highland Mountain Railway. Not Yet Rated 
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

  Baggers Gallery for Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

The Crazy Gang at the Finger Post above Glaslyn.

© Gareth Pratt
Image by Gareth Pratt

The Crazy Gang atop Yr Wyddfa on my Birthday in 2011. Great walk!

© Gareth Pratt
Image by Gareth Pratt

fantastic snow climb cant wait for next year

© WILLIAM BISHOP
Image by WILLIAM BISHOP

Me at the summit of Yr Wyddfa; with Yr Aran behind me to right. 2nd June 2010.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown
View All 9 Baggers Images for Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
The logging section stores any entries for Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in your own log. From here you can
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 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
by David McSporran
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
by Neil Cuthbert

Post a few words about Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Derek Turnbull
wrote on
May 16, 2010
I took the long route know as "The Roller Coaster" which starts at Llanberis and asends Moel Eilio (726m) and then along the ridge over Foel Gron (593) and Foel Goch (605) before descending down to around 500m before heading up the Ranger Path to Snowdon summit and then back down the Llaberis Path to the starting point. This is a long day out but I hardly met anyone until I got to the summit of Snowdon so it's a good option if you like some solitude on your ascent.
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

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  Route Write-Ups
  Date Title Written by Including...
1 31 Jul 2010 The Three Peaks Challenge Michael Hill Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
 
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