Rhyd Ddu Path up Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa): route map, distance and time

A quieter path from the west with views over the Nantlle Ridge. The final section runs along the narrow Bwlch Main ridge.

The Rhyd Ddu Path starts at about 190 m and gains 855 m over 5.9 km to 1,040 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 9%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 195 m at an average of 19%, with a 500 m stretch from 5.3 km at about 27%. It keeps climbing at 18% to the top. About 24% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.

Rhyd Ddu Path at a glance

Rhyd Ddu Path map

The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.

Height profile and getting to the start

Download the Rhyd Ddu Path GPX

Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.

Rhyd Ddu Path kilometre by kilometre

Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.

How long the Rhyd Ddu Path takes

Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.

• Today: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14. Start by 13:24 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
• Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 13:22 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.

Snowdon summit weather for this route

• Marginal Today Sunday 18 October

  Partly cloudy, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -6°C, summit wind 27 mph gusting 33 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14.

• Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October

  Moderate drizzle, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 41 mph gusting 51 mph, 90% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12.

Best day of the next seven for the Rhyd Ddu Path: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 33 mph and a 0% chance of rain.

Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 0% (Low), best around 05:00. 7-day inversion outlook.

Hour-by-hour Snowdon forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Snowdon?

Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast and hazards · Yr Wyddfa ground conditions report.

What to take today

• An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -6°C on top.
• A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
• A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 33 mph.
• Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
• Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
• A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.

About Snowdon

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is the highest mountain in Wales, with a choice of well-made paths, a mountain railway and a café on the summit. More about Snowdon, with the live forecast.

On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, historic county top, county top.

Extend the walk: tops near the summit

• Crib y Ddysgl (1,065 m), 0.8 km north
• Crib Goch (923 m), 1.6 km north-east
• Y Lliwedd (898 m), 1.6 km south-east
• Y Lliwedd East Top (893 m), 1.8 km south-east
• Lliwedd Bach (819 m), 2.1 km south-east
• Llechog (720 m), 2.4 km north

Challenges that include Snowdon

• National Three Peaks · 3
• Welsh Three Peaks · 3
• Welsh 3000s · 15
• Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
• Welsh 1000m Peaks · 5
• Snowdonia 900m Peaks · 16
• Snowdon Horseshoe · 4
• Paddy Buckley Round · 47
• Furths · 34
• Hewitts · 523
• Nuttalls · 442
• County Tops · 88
• Marilyns · 1,555

More walks from Rhyd Ddu station car park

Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.

• From Rhyd Ddu up Mynydd Mawr
• Rhyd Ddu via Ffordd Ddu and Bwlch Cwm Llan up Yr Aran

Other routes up Snowdon

In an emergency

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 570 526, the summit at SH 609 543), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.

Rhyd Ddu Path: questions and answers

How far is the Rhyd Ddu Path?

The Rhyd Ddu Path is 5.9 km one way to the summit of Snowdon, with 900 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.8 km.

How long does the Rhyd Ddu Path take?

About 2h 40m to the summit of Snowdon and 3h 50m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 4h 45m for the round trip.

How steep is the Rhyd Ddu Path?

The steepest 500 m averages about 27%, starting 5.3 km from the start, and 24% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Rhyd Ddu Path climbs 855 m in all on the track.

Where do you park for the Rhyd Ddu Path?

The Rhyd Ddu Path starts from Rhyd Ddu station car park (postcode LL54 6TN). The grid reference is SH 570 526. Pay car park beside Rhyd Ddu station on the Welsh Highland Railway. Sherpa'r Wyddfa buses link all the main starts round the mountain.

Is the Rhyd Ddu Path suitable for beginners?

Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.

What time should I start the Rhyd Ddu Path today?

By 13:24 at the latest. Sunset on Snowdon today is 18:14, The Rhyd Ddu Path takes about 3h 50m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.

Is there a GPX for the Rhyd Ddu Path?

Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.