Published By: Daniel Weadley. Published: 18th November 2024. Filed at: Hiking Routes. Disclosure: I earn commission from purchases made via links. Comments are open.

The Miners’ Track is a rugged but popular route to the summit of Snowdon. While slightly less challenging than the nearby Pyg Track, it’s not the easiest or safest route but it’s not the hardest either.

Along with the Pyg Track, I put this route firmly in the middle; the Llanberis and Ranger Paths are shallower and more forgiving while the Watkin Path and Crib Goch routes are steeper, looser and more scrambly.

If you’re looking for information about Snowdon’s Miners’ Track, explore my guide on this page.

My Favourite Scrambling Footwear:

Map (Expandable)

Here’s a map of the Pyg Track up and the Miners’ Track down. The route can be taken in reverse:

Photos of the Miners’ Track

Consider a Circular Route

Most people go up the Pyg Track and down the Miners’ Track but this route in reverse is also popular.

Sections

The Miners’ Track can be separated into three sections:

1. The initial walk on gravel from the car park, up to and around the large lake (Llyn Llydaw).
2. The start of the rocky path from Llyn Llydaw, around the third lake at Glaslyn.
3. The loose, rocky section that rises up to the Pyg Track.

From Pen y Pass

The path from Pen y Pass car park is initially fairly even and is made from gravel. It’s also wide and forgiving.

This gravel path on the lower section goes past two of the three lakes:

The path is made from gravel and is forgiving here

The causeway over Llyn Llydaw (the 2nd lake)

Snowdonia Hiking Guidebook:

From Llyn Llydaw to Glaslyn

At the far end of Llyn Llydaw, the gravel path ends and a steeper, rocky, man-made path appears.

So far, the path has been fairly level but it’s here that the path rises and is more uneven:

The end of the gravel path and the start of the steeper section

The Miners’ Track rises up to and then around Glaslyn – the top lake

The Miners’ Track Merges With the Pyg Track

The final section of the Miners’ Track, just before it merges with the Pyg Track, is much steeper, looser and harder to follow.

It’s here that accidents are common, these are usually from people slipping on the loose rocks:

The rockiest section of the Miners’ Track – the steepest part of the route

Here you can see the Miners and Pyg tracks merge

The zigzag section of the Pyg Track which ends at the popular Llanberis Path, 15 minutes from the summit

To The Summit

The Pyg Track ends at the Llanberis Path, and the final section to the summit is tiring but over fairly stable terrain.

The summit of Snowdon, with the Pyg Track and the Zigzags in the background

I Use This Water Filter Bottle

Options for Descent

From the summit of Snowdon, there are many options for descent, the most popular being via the Miners’ Track back to Pen y Pass car park.

Note that the upper section of the Miners’ Track, where it joins the Pyg Track is very loose and quite steep in places:

The path from the higher Pyg Track down to the lower Miners’ Track is loose and steep in places

Alternatively, consider the long but shallow Llanberis Path and get the bus back to the starting point at Pen y Pass car park.

Suitability For Dog Walkers and Children

I’ve seen plenty of dog walkers and parents with their children on this route but I must point out that the upper section is one of the more rugged routes to the summit. There is an increased risk of slipping etc compared to the Llanberis Path and Rangers Path which are wider, shallower and less rocky.

Pyg or Miners’ Track – Which is Best?

Most will take a circular route to enjoy both routes but my preferred path is the Pyg Track as it’s the higher of the two and has better views.

I usually take the Miners’ Track in descent.

These Are Perfect for General Hiking: