Yr Wydffa (Snowdon)

Nimbostratus100 · 22/02/2023 06:41

DelphiniumBlue123 · 22/02/2023 06:36

Has anyone climbed with kids?

yes, a long time ago though - we had a seventh birthday party on top

I know there is lots of routes up, and we chose a safe one, obviously, but I cant remember the names now

It was a long hard walk, we took it slowly, no one had any problems actually achieving it, but we started early, stayed very aware of our pace, had lots of breaks, and had a "turn around time" set before hand, a time we would have turned back if we were not already on our way down

It was a lovely day! still fondly remembered by all.

My son had asked could we please "climb a mountain" for his birthday - I had no idea about what to do-no knowledge or experience- but a friend recommended Snowdon as safe and busy, which it was

Original poster

DelphiniumBlue123 · 22/02/2023 06:44

Brilliant thanks. Can you remember which route you chose?

OP posts:

Rafting2022 · 22/02/2023 06:46

How old are the kids OP

Nimbostratus100 · 22/02/2023 06:49

no sorry, I really cant remember - it was one of the long slow ones, advertised as safe, but it was so long ago now! it was easy to follow, with the maps and the other people all heading the same way

calimali · 22/02/2023 06:49

The path that runs from Llanberis is the one most people take - the Llanberis path. It is long - about 9 miles, but not as steep as the other paths. If anyone does not want to do the walk there is also the option of the train - though it always seems to be pretty much full so I would advise booking.

Just take it steady, wear the right clothes and shoes and check the weather forecast first.

Nimbostratus100 · 22/02/2023 06:51

calimali · 22/02/2023 06:49

The path that runs from Llanberis is the one most people take - the Llanberis path. It is long - about 9 miles, but not as steep as the other paths. If anyone does not want to do the walk there is also the option of the train - though it always seems to be pretty much full so I would advise booking.

Just take it steady, wear the right clothes and shoes and check the weather forecast first.

yes, definitely, we all had proper walking books, all worn in, water proofs, sunscreen, layers, water, snacks, etc

Original poster

DelphiniumBlue123 · 22/02/2023 07:35

Rafting2022 · 22/02/2023 06:46

How old are the kids OP

10 & 13

OP posts:

Dontfeedtheseagulls · 22/02/2023 07:44

You'll see 4 and 5 year olds. 10 and 13 will be fine. There's a shop half way up the Llanberis path too...motivating...sells ice creams and the like.

Will take 6 hours up and down with stops for photos.

Toilets and cafe at top hadn't reopened last time I was up though so toilets probably your biggest issue!

LubaLuca · 22/02/2023 08:02

I think I was 7 the first time I did it, no particular memories of it so it can't have been particularly arduous on my little legs.

Take clothing for every eventuality. I went up once on a sunny August day. Started in shorts and t-shirt, but couldn't see my hand in front of my face and got soaked at the summit. Had to strip off again partway down.

I believe the cafe and toilets are reopening in May.

JessicaBrassica · 22/02/2023 08:05

We took 9, 7, 7 and 5 up one new years eve. One of the 7s gave up about 300m from the top but the rest made it. It was damp and cloudy so a bit of a miserable climb.

We went up from pen y Pass which is a shorter walk than from llanberis (mainly because you start from half way up).

I believe you have to pre-book parking at pen y pass now - which means you are guaranteed a space but may not get the date you want.

Your kids should be fine if they are reasonably fit.

HippyChickMama · 22/02/2023 08:10

Several times, both dc did it for the first time aged 5. Llanberis path is the most popular route but it is loooong. It took us about 4 hours to reach the summit with dc and they were both used to hiking and hillwalking. With older dc, lots of people go up Pyg and down the Miners or vice versa (both of those paths start and end in the same place) but again, busy paths. If you want a quieter route, the Ranger's path is overlooked, not quite as long as Llanberis but no more difficult. The attached infographic gives information on all the routes.

Sweetladyjane · 22/02/2023 08:12

I took my then 10 year old DS last year and went from pen y pass up the Pyg track and then down the miners. He loved it and got a real buzz from reaching the summit. You do have to prebook parking at Pen y Pass but I don’t remember it as being expensive. I echo what others said about wearing decent footwear and taking layers. We were boiling on the way up but it was really cold at the top so we were glad of extra jumpers and coats. It’s a great day out:)

Lonelycrab · 22/02/2023 08:19

I’d say Pyg track is the better route than the main route. It start’s quite a lot higher and is shorter and more interesting. Miners is similar but perhaps a little trickier as there was a semi scramble just above the lakes, this was years ago so may have changed. You can get shuttle busses up from Llanberis I believe.

The main route is easiest, but also really long as pp have said, mostly featureless and imo pretty dull.

CeriB82 · 25/02/2023 04:35

No path up yr Wyddfa is dull.

the views up all of them are spectacular.

be prepared to queue ar the top to visit the trig. The queues are absolutely ridiculous, but there are plenty of other mountains you can do.