"Mount Snowdon" Snowdonia Things to Do Tip by JulesH

from our campsite in Beddgelert it took us 2 hours on foot to reach the Watkins Path on the South side of Snowdon, which was a little longer than we anticipated and mostly along a narrow country road. The Watkins Path starts just as the river switches from the right of the road to the left and begins with a gentle ascent up some steps and gradual slopes through some beautiful woodland scenery. Once you round the corner you are greeted by a splendid vista of a waterfall cascading down the rocks ahead of you and everywhere, the barren landscape is softened by wild alpine flowers. You pass a few ruined buildings to your right and Gladstone Rock on your left . From here you continue onwards and upwards past the old slate mine until you reach another ruined building...a good place to stop for a rest and a look around for 5 minutes.

Then on and up some large step like rocks. The mountain on your left is Yr Aran. Here is where the climb starts to get a little bit steeper. The path is still fairly well defined at this point, but we were not prepared for just how barren and inhospitable the summit would be later on. The path seemed to vanish and become an unchartered rock face! We had not seen another climber for some time, and I was finding difficulty as a first time climber finding the best route up to the summit. I couldn't even see the summit, so didn't know which direction to head in! The surface we were climbing was described as a scree path. It was really loose boulders balanced on loose gravel and dirt. No sign of a path of any kind.

The final section of the climb was quite lonely and I felt a sense of despair on more than one occasion. It took us 5 hours to ascend and descend the mountain in bad weather. The mountain is very achievable even for a first time climber, but a basic level of fitness, will to achieve and good all weather equipment are recommended.

Address: Mount Snowdon