Watkin Path up Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa): route map, distance and time
1,085 m · Snowdonia
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.
The biggest climb of the main paths, from near sea level past waterfalls and old quarries. The last stretch up the summit cone is steep, loose scree.
The Watkin Path starts at about 77 m and gains 989 m over 6.5 km to 1,040 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 38 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6 km, which climbs 219 m at an average of 22%, with a 500 m stretch from 5.6 km at about 36%. It keeps climbing at 18% to the top. About 27% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Watkin Path at a glance
| Distance | 6.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 1,015 m |
| Climb on the track | 989 m up, 21 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 77 m to 1,045 m (summit 1,085 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 36%, from 5.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 27% of the way |
| Time up | 3h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Pont Bethania car park, Nant Gwynant, LL55 4NR |
| Start grid reference | SH 627 505 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 609 543 |
| Parking | Pay car park at Pont Bethania in Nant Gwynant. |
| Bus | Sherpa'r Wyddfa buses link all the main starts round the mountain. |
Watkin 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
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
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.
Watkin 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.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 115 m | +38 m | 4% | SH 626 513 |
| 2 km | 258 m | +143 m | 14% | SH 621 519 |
| 3 km | 341 m | +83 m | 8% | SH 613 523 |
| 4 km | 533 m | +193 m | 19% | SH 616 532 |
| 5 km | 737 m | +204 m | 20% steep | SH 618 537 |
| 6 km | 957 m | +219 m | 22% steep | SH 610 541 |
| 6.5 km | 1,040 m | +83 m | 18% | SH 609 543 |
How long the Watkin Path takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 40m | 5h 15m |
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 12:54 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 12:52 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 20m 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 Watkin 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 Pont Bethania car park, Nant Gwynant
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau up Y Lliwedd
- Watkin Path and Bwlch Cwm Llan up Yr Aran
- Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau up Lliwedd Bach
- Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau up Y Lliwedd East Top
Other routes up Snowdon
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Llanberis Path | 6.9 km one way | 979 m | 3h 0m | Moderate |
| Pyg Track | 5.3 km one way | 740 m | 2h 20m | Moderate |
| Miners' Track | 6.8 km one way | 770 m | 2h 40m | Moderate |
| Rhyd Ddu Path | 5.9 km one way | 900 m | 2h 40m | Moderate |
| Snowdon Ranger Path | 6.4 km one way | 940 m | 2h 50m | Moderate |
| South Ridge (Allt Maenderyn) | 6.5 km one way | 900 m | 2h 50m | Hard |
| Crib Goch | 5.1 km one way | 880 m | 2h 30m | Scramble |
| Y Lliwedd traverse | 7.0 km one way | 723 m | 2h 35m | Scramble |
| Fox's Path and Crib Goch North Ridge | 6.5 km one way | 723 m | 2h 30m | Scramble |
| Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant | 5.3 km one way | 903 m | 2h 35m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 627 505, 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.
Watkin Path: questions and answers
How far is the Watkin Path?
The Watkin Path is 6.5 km one way to the summit of Snowdon, with 1,015 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 13.0 km.
How long does the Watkin Path take?
About 3h 0m to the summit of Snowdon and 4h 20m 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 5h 15m for the round trip.
How steep is the Watkin Path?
The steepest 500 m averages about 36%, starting 5.6 km from the start, and 27% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Watkin Path climbs 989 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Watkin Path?
The Watkin Path starts from Pont Bethania car park, Nant Gwynant (postcode LL55 4NR). The grid reference is SH 627 505. Pay car park at Pont Bethania in Nant Gwynant. Sherpa'r Wyddfa buses link all the main starts round the mountain.
Is the Watkin Path suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as the Llanberis Path.
What time should I start the Watkin Path today?
By 12:54 at the latest. Sunset on Snowdon today is 18:14, The Watkin Path takes about 4h 20m 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 Watkin 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.