Solo hiking Trip to Snowdon - Seeking Advice and Guidance

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Hello everyone,

I’m planning a solo trip to Snowdon and would love some advice. I’ll be traveling there by train from London, which is a first for me. I’m a stay-at-home mum with a 3-year-old, and over the past few years, my confidence and anxiety have been quite challenging for me.

This trip is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I’m determined to do it on my own. I haven't done anything for myself since the birth of my lovely daughter. Has anyone here done a solo trip to Snowdon before? Any tips on traveling alone or things to consider would be greatly appreciated.

I’d love to hear about your experiences, how you managed the journey, or anything you wish you knew before you went.

Thanks so much in advance!

Which route up are you going to take?

If climbing alone let someone know what time you are expected back.

Well done on doing something for yourself. Are you an experienced climber or on the more novice end? It might change some of the advice your given.

When are you planning your trip for? Snowdon can be very busy on the main paths, which is great if you are walking alone, but in snow or other extreme weather it wouldn't be recommended to walk alone up any mountain.

We used the Llanberis path, it's about 14km round trip, the walk is perfectly doable if long, you do need to be fairly fit though as it's a lot of ascent. Actually we had a 5 year old with us so we took the train to Clogwyn (it was 2020 and that was as far as it went) walked to the summit (approx 1 hour) and all the way back down (approx 3.5 hours). You could walk it much more quickly bare in mind that's the pace of a 5 year old. Unless you are an experienced walker wait until the weather is warmer and there is more daylight, at least until Easter time. There will be more people on the trail to encourage and help if you need it. Parking in Llanberis was tricky, you need to be there early, and also make sure to pack more food and water than you think you need, plus waterproofs and layers, the weather can easily change. As we were nearing the bottom there were plenty of people on their way up at like 3pm in sandals and with handbags, the level of under preparedness was astounding! A minor things, if open there are toilets at the station at the summit, and at the half-way house, but the queues can be really long and apart from those 2 locations it's hard to take a bathroom break on this route as there are so many people on the paths and no landscape features offering any cover.

What are you proposing to do when you get there? The town nearby is pretty limited and you would need to take a bus as well as a train. There are low level walks if you are not an experienced lone hiker and a train runs up Snowdon in Spring/Summer.

I'd recommend you give Wildbeare on YouTube a watch. She's a lone wild camper and often goes to Snowdon to camp 😊

Yr Wyddfa formerly known as Mt Snowdon is basically an all day walk and there is a choice of paths as well as the train. You'll need to think about where to stay (probably 2 nights unless you live close). We've stayed at the YHA Snowdon Ranger and walked up from there with out children under 10. If you are reasonably fit, have your walking boots and waterproofs and can follow the map, those are the main things. Late spring to early autumn best for daylight but it might rain or be in cloud at the top any day of the year! Have you done any hiking/ mountain walking before?

The path up from llanberis is the easiest path and most popular. Boots with proper tred would still be advisable - or very sturdy shoes

There is a sign painted on the cafe at the top to send you back down the right path - follow it ! Sometimes it is very hard to see anything at the top

up and down the same way is best for a novice. Ideally get a map and compass and learn how to use them. OS maps and OS locate on your phone also help

You should be able to get up in 2 to 3 hrs ; allow the same back down

The wether can be very different up high - take waterproofs and snacks

The hardest bit will likely be working out trains times and linking to buses - pretty sure there are now buses to the popular starting points in an effort to manage the traffic / parking chaos. Assume you plan to stay somewhere- llanberis would be best as if means you can dedicate the day to walking

If hiking alone, leave contact details, route you are planning to take, and expected time of return with someone trusted, and agree to contact them when you do return.

Take backup charger pack for your phone.

Wear bright coloured outer clothing, (and kit ~ rucksack) reflective orange for example. This is so that should the worst happen, and a helicopter is searching for you, they will spot you from the air. If you're dressed in blue, green etc you will just blend in with the terrain and not be found.

Llanberis path is untaxing but a bit of a dull slog. Pyg track or miners track is what I’d recommend. There is a youth hostel right at the start of the path, where you can stay overnight to get a nice early start. The staff are lovely and the evening meals excellent.

Going up the pig or the miners path (they are mores scenic, less boring, not too challenging apart from one section where you have to scramble/pick your way carefully) and down Lanberis is good (long, gradual, bit dull).
There's a youth hostel within walking distance of the Lanberis path and you should be able to get a bus to the start of the other routes. Don't expect a view! On the summit you are often in or above the clouds. Walking poles are brilliant.

As mentioned above, the weather can be very different at the top than at the bottom.
There is a website which gives information about weather conditions on mountain tops. I'm sure Google will find it for you.

Have you looked at the train journey?

you’ll need to combine with busses too.

Where are you planning on staying?

what time of year are you planning on going?

which route up and down will you take?

have you done much much mountain walking by yourself before?

Closest place the train takes you to is Bangor, then go to the bus station next to M&S food shop and the bus to Llanberis goes from there. Look at Traws Cymru for bus times from Bangor the Llanberis.
We went up on the Pyg path and down on the Llanberis path, but we drove and parked at the park and ride. You could stay overnight in Llanberis and walk up from town, you'd need another night there before the bus back to Bangor and then the train home. There's usually loads of people around on the paths year round unless it snows.

Use the web site www.traveline.co.uk. it will plan a route for you from your home to wherever you decide to stay

Are you an experienced high level hill walker ? It's never recommended to go into the mountains alone, but if you must, then do it in the summer. This is no guarantee of fine weather, but it's more likely to be beater, drier, clearer and have longer daylight.

If you're going to grinding public transport from London, then you'll need to get a train to Bangor (depart St Pancras, go via Chester) and then a bus or taxi to Llanberis. You can pick up the Llanberis Parh up Snowdon from Llanberis, although there are other (arguably nicer) routes from other departure points. Chose your route and find accommodation locally to the departure point.

if yiu go on your own (again, never recommended) leave details of where you’re going, departure point, route, departures tone, ETA, what you have with you with someone (your accommodation?).

I think it is going to be great OP, of course it is sensible to think about the risks but it's a great goal and a great plan, within the ability of most moderately fit adults and a big achievement. Snowdon is great, and there will be lots of people around most days of the year.

Park in llanberis, get the Sherpa bus up the pass. Walk up via the pyg track and come down the llanberis path back to your car. You see two different aspects and no faffing about parking up the pass which is always heaving now. Nor waiting for a bus to get back to llanberis.

No, the closest station is Betws-y-coed and then it’s a short bus ride to Llanberis. Straightforward to do with public transport.

Sorry, noticed you said by public transport. I’d still advise the same walking routes though. The Sherpa bus will be easy to get from llanberis. You just got to get to llanberis! Might be better getting a train to Bangor and then a bus from there? Maybe more buses between Bangor and llanberis than between llanberis and Betws y coed?

Train to Bangor then bus to llanberis. Personally I would stay the night in llanberis and set off early in the morning. Then another night in llanberis before bus to Bangor, then train back to London.

Llanberis path is lovely, pretty straight forward. Another nice option is the pyg track up and miners path down.

Ensure you are prepared for all weathers and don't go over winter. Give yourself plenty of time / daylight.

That's another train. You'd have to get off at Llandudno Junction and catch the valley line to Betws then a bus, it's quicker and easier going to Bangor.