Snowdon in April with kids advice

[Elefontaine]

So my husband wants to do Snowdon on the 8th April. We’d be taking our two girls 12 and 9. We’ve done a couple of local 5k flat walks recently in our walking boots and our 9yo has complained of achey legs/feet. I’m just trying to get an idea of how others found it with kids?

Apparently the train isn’t running yet so don’t have that option to come down on if the little ones struggling. Also wanted to get an idea of what the weathers like up there early April or if it’s worth waiting until a little later?

I’ve not done any UK mountains so wanted to see what others thought.

He’s hoping we can go up the Pyg track and down the Miners (sp?).

looking forward to advice!

Read up on it carefully. You can still get snow in Eryri (Snowdonia) at that time of year. I believe (although may be misremembering) that the Miners’ Path is challenging.

It could well still be thick snow at the top. Pyg and Miners are quite tough if you have not much mountain experience and are good at navigation. I certainly wouldn't do Snowdon with children at that time of year.

Doesn’t sound like you’d be set up to do a mountain climb, particularly when the conditions can still be snowy this time of year. Do lots of research, and then pick somewhere else to walk instead is my advice, plenty of amazing beautiful walks in that area that will be more enjoyable and safer for your family

The steam railway starts running to Clogwyn station (3/4 way up) on 28 March. It’s not cheap though! The summit service starts in May.

Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) is a long day out. The Llanberis Path is probably the best route with kids, as there is no scrambling. The Snowdon Ranger path is pretty straightforward too. You’re still probably looking at 6+ hours round trip.

Just bear in mind that mountain weather can be extremely changeable, and completely different a few hundred feet up to in the valley. Check the mountain forecast before you go out, carry layers, waterproofs, first aid and wear good supportive walking boots, but most importantly, be prepared not to go, or turn back if the weather is bad. I’m sure you know this, and I don’t mean to sound patronising, but so often people have a plan to climb a mountain on a particular day because that is the day they have off, and push on regardless of conditions. Early April could bring pretty much any weather!

Both of those routes are strenuous and steep and in total will be over 20km. Going up is relentless hard work and coming down you're tired and the going is still tough.

I'd say if your 9 year old was struggling after 5km on the flat then this walk isn't for her yet. You would need to build up steadily from 5km on the flat and 20km plus on Snowdon.

Weve gone in those dates for the last 4 yrs with our 2 and only managed the top once out of the 4 times because the weather is so changeable. Extreme rain and hail happened out of nowhere (as it does) when we started. Also some snow on top.

I would not recommend either of those tracks for inexperienced kids.

If you’ve only managed a flat 5 kms so far, then I would suggest that any mountain is a daft idea, particularly in early April.

if you want to foster a love out the outdoors, building up slowly having researched every aspect of the trip thoroughly and being very well equipped for changing weather conditions is an absolute must. Otherwise you run the risk of putting them off for life.

I think DS was about 8/9 when we climbed Snowdon but we did the Llanberis path and DS was in scouts and had done a fair amount of walking and climbing beforehand.

My dd climbed age 9, it took 4 hours up and 3 hours down at a decent pace. The round trip on the easiest path is 18 miles. They will need solid walking boots, good waterproof jackets, waterproof trousers and fleeces plus potentially gloves, hat and thermals, who knows.

Oh and the furthest I could see at any point was around 3m, in July! Didn’t stop raining too

You'll need to build up to it steadily - it's not a first mountain, even for adults.

Go up and down Llanberis Path, it's the 'easiest' route and no actual climbing involved but it's still going up a mountain so a challenge. Take lots of snacks and drinks. Look at the forecast! Your husband shouldn't underestimate this, three weeks ago two fit teenagers died on Snowdon.
It is totally possible and you get a sense of achievement with your family but it's not a piece of cake and making it as straightforward as possible with kids who are not experienced walkers is sensible.

It would be bordering on child neglect to take children with no mountain experience up in April. Sorry to be rude but someone has to say it!

Do it later in the year, and use the time to practice on some smaller mountains. Check your kit works, what food etc works for you, and build up physical and mental stamina in the kids, esp the 9 year old.

Ive been up snowdon in when it was 17 at the bottom and -1 at the top at that was in July! Ive also been up several times where its so windy that I couldnt stand up on exposed sections without being blown over and i'm an adult.

Also, even when the railway is running it will not take people down from the top as they are tired ( unless for injury). Its carefully calibrated as they have to take everyone down who theyve taken up! There arent just random empty carriages at the top waiting to be filled.

Finally check the summit forecast for Snowdon for the day you are looking at ( the met office produces this) I can not emphasise enough how essential checking this is. The weather at the top can be completely different to the bottom. Fyi here is todays summit forecast

We did the Llanberis path with our two around the same ages, but in June time. Even then the top was cold, windy and proper clag, no visibility. Our kids do a lot of walking/hiking and steep stuff and our younger one didn’t make it to the summit - after a (very) long slow walk upwards, it’s steepens and gets much rockier right at the top which is tricky in low visibility. Even though it was super busy, and therefore felt very safe, it’s definitely not for the faint hearted. And then you have to get safely all the way back down again. A flat 5k is not really good enough preparation if you ask me.

We went in June , it was so cold at the top and blowing a gale
We chose the Wardens trail ,it was certainly challenging
The Llanberis trail is easier and was very busy
I don’t think children that young would cope with it ( after complaining about flat 5 k walks )

We went up on a warm October day - at the bottom. By the time you were at the top it was cloudy and misty and cold.

There were several families with miserable looking kids inc some in tears because I think they'd assumed they could get the train down if they were struggling but it wasn't an option. Not because it wasn't running, but because it was fully booked.

Not something I'd do with young kids.

We did it with our children a few years ago. They would have been 14, 12 and 7. We went up the pygand down the miners. Admittedly it was August although it poured down throughout and you couldn’t see a thing at the top!

they all managed it fine.

There is fresh snow on the mountain tops here again this week - go for a walk in Cwm Idwal.

I have taken a 5 year old up Yr Wyddfa, but he had been up other mountains first and it was the middle of summer.

I went up beginning of May last year, weather was beautiful and we were lucky, we could see for miles at the top. The train was running, but we managed to climb up and down. It took a good few hours. l took too many clothes as everyone saying cold at top.
I would suggest going from May onwards and you must check weather before attempting to climb on the day. We had ideal weather conditions yet still saw the rescue helicopter out.

Great advice here thank you. Can anyone recommend a beautiful, safe walk in the area we can do in the area instead? I know there are plenty but I’ve been looking but not sure where to start without knowing the area

I think @YSianiFlewog recommended Cwm Idwal above.

Just adding to that, I’ve always found the AllTrails app (free version) to be brilliant for finding walking routes.

Cwm Idwal from Ogwen Cottage is a lovely walk, with big mountain views. It’s about 5km round trip. Maybe 3 hrs with rests? It’s steep in places, but an obvious path and reasonably ok ground (rocky l, it’s still a mountain!).

All of the paths up Snowdon have approximately 1000m of ascent - to put that into perspective that is the same as 400 flights of stairs. As others have mentioned, you need good fitness and even on the easier paths (Llanberis and the Snowdon Ranger), you need enough mountaincraft to stay out of trouble is there is a sudden change in the weather.

The suggestion for Cwm Idwal from Ogwen Cottage is a much more sensible one for a walk with inexperienced children, particularly in April. You can go a bit further to the base of the Idwal slabs which is a great place to do a bit of scrambling/bouldering in a safe environment. But even so, please make sure you are properly equipped, and please take an OS map and compass and know how to use them, or at the very least use the OS app on your phone and download the area map before going.

You also mention walking boots causing achy feet/legs. To be honest traditional walking boots are really only needed if you are carrying a heavy backpack or have weak ankles, or in winter. Most people on day hikes are better off with trail runners.

The first part of the Miner's Track (before it starts climbing steeply) is relatively flat and there are nice views over the lakes. If your husband is a more experienced walker (not clear from your post) he could maybe climb Snowdon while you do this with the children?

There are easy walks along the river from Beddgelert.