My Guide to the Pyg Track on Snowdon
Published By: Daniel Weadley. Published: 4th May 2024. Filed at: Hiking Routes. Disclosure: I earn commission from purchases made via links. Comments are open.
The Pyg Track is a rugged but popular route to the summit of Snowdon. It’s not the easiest or safest route but it’s not the most difficult either.
I put this route firmly in the middle; the Llanberis Path and the Ranger Path are shallower and more forgiving and the Watkin Path and Crib Goch routes are steeper, looser and more scrambly.
If you’re looking for information about the Pyg Track, check out my guide on this page.
My Favourite Scrambling Footwear:
Pyg Track
Length: 6.8 miles/11km there and back.
Ascent: 895m.
My Time: I usually go up the Pyg Track and down the Miners’ Track in about 5.5 hours.
Average Time: An average hill walker will take around 6 hours there and back.
Grade/Difficulty: Rugged mountain walk on very uneven ground. This route is not suitable for wheelchairs or baby strollers but I have seen dog walkers up here, although it’s nowhere near as shallow as the Llanberis Path or the Rangers Path.
Start/End: Pen y Pass Car Park.
Hazards: Uneven ground and the risk of falling from height. The Zigzag section is notorious for slips and falls, usually on loose stones.
Facilities: Toilet block at Pen y Pass car park.
My Rating: I really like the Pyg Track, it’s easier than Crib Goch and not as loose or steep as the top section of the Watkin Path but is more challenging than the Ranger Path or the Llanberis Path. I rate it 8/10 and the views are some of the best.
My Video
Map (Expandable)
Here’s a map of the Pyg Track up and the Miner’s Track down:
Photos of the Pyg Track
Pyg and Miners’ Tracks
Pyg and Miners’ Tracks Merge
Start of Pyg Track
Pyg Track
Consider a Circular Route
Most people go up the Pyg Track and down the Miners’ Track but in reverse is just as doable.
Sections
The Pyg Track can be separated into three sections:
- The initial walk from the car park to the fork in the path below Crib Goch.
- To the second fork where the path meets the Miners’ Track.
- The zigzags and the push to the summit.
From Pen y Pass
The path from Pen y Pass car park is rugged and certainly not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs but those of average fitness should be okay here:
The lower section of the Pyg Track
The first rugged section on the Pyg Track
The first section ends as the lakes come into view (the path forks rightwards here to Crib Goch)
Snowdonia Hiking Guidebook:
To The Miners’ Track Fork
The second section is shallower than the first but is still rugged, it takes the hiker up to the point where the Pyg Track and Miners’ Track merge:
The mid section of the Pyg Track with the lake to the left
The rising Pyg Track
Here, the higher Pyg Track merges with the lower Miners’ Track. Crib Goch can also be seen (top left)
The Zigzag Section
The section from the fork to the Llanberis Path is loose, rugged and in a few places, steep as well.
The zigzag path and the loose rocks beneath it are an accident hotspot where every year, hikers slip and fall.
The zigzag section – the steepest part of the route
To The Summit
The Pyg Track ends at the Llanberis Path, a short 15 min walk to the summit:
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 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 this is one of the more rugged routes to the summit. That means more rocky sections, loose stones underfoot and an increased risk of slipping etc.
The Llanberis Path and Rangers Path are wider, shallower and less rocky and would be safer options for children and pets but do note that all routes have livestock nearby and dogs should be kept on a lead.
About Daniel Weadley
This guide to the Pyg Track up Snowdon was created by Daniel Weadley, aka The Bald Scrambler.
From walking along beaches and kayaking down rivers to making his way up mountains and even jumping out of planes, Daniel has a love of the outdoors, but scrambling is his real passion.
Daniel Weadley aka The Bald Scrambler
5 Comments
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These Are Perfect for General Hiking:
Have fun, keep safe. Hopefully I’ll see you on the mountains one day
By The Bald Scrambler
thanks for you’re videos they’ve been very helpful. I did Tryfan 2 weeks ago after watching one of you’re videos. excellent! ……..it was the best day ever!
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed your day! That’s my fav place in Snowdonia.
Came across this by accident and, boy did it take me back! August 1967. I was 16 at the time and a group of us, including a very young Rob Halford (Judas Priest) had been been getting drowned, camping in the Llanberis Pass. On the last day our leader decided that climbing up Snowdon would be a good idea. I’ve only just realised that we went up the PYG Track. Beng urbanites we really thought we were mountaineering. To us the terrain was tough and tricky. I remember being nauseatingly exhausted when we reached the Llanberis path. But the view from the top made it all worthwhile, not to mention getting a reviving drink in the cafe. The descent was a darn sight easier but, the following day my legs felt as if they had died. Been up there since; on the train of course!
Is this route safe to do at night?
Going to do Snowden hike this Saturday intend park and ride to pyg track up miners route down.4 people and a Jack Russell dog is this durable.like just to get some input thank you