How long is the watkins path

Are they still there? It is steep in places, and care must be taken as it is very loose underfoot, caused by the current path eroding away in places. The path weaves in and out of rocky outcrops but is nowhere difficult. The BMC British Mountaineering Council recently identified this section of path as needing financial support for improvement, in its Mend our Mountains conservation campaign.

Small, safe steps and you will shortly reach a standing stone that marks the spot where the Watkin Path joins the Rhyd Ddu Path. From here, the path continues to climb and it feels like the summit will never appear, but as you ascend through boulders and follow the rocky path, the windows of the summit building will suddenly appear On a clear day, there will be tremendous views to the south, towards Porthmadog, and the north west towards Caernarfon, the Irish Sea and Anglesey.

On a busy day, you can sometimes queue for a climb up the steep steps to the actual summit. It is a must, though, so make the opportunity to visit the very top of the highest mountain in Wales and higher than any mountains in England, too!

On the way down, it is important to remember that the Watkin Path does not descend directly from the summit It starts from the standing stone which is approximately metres down the Rhyd Ddu Path, which is the stone pillar you met on your way up.

Distance there and back : 9 miles. Time there and back : Hours approx. Starting Point: Snowdon Mountain Railway. This route offers a range of fantastic views; down the Llanberis Path, up to Crib Goch, the shimmering lakes and of course stunning views of the summit. Time there and back : hours approx. The Miners Path also starts at the Pen y Pass Car Park, and starts gradually with stunning views of the lakes, before a steep ascent up to the summit. Distance there and back : 8 miles.

This is the quietest route up to the summit and was used as the first official ascent of Snowdon in Despite this route being lesser used, it is just as scenic as the other routes; the views over the Nantlle Ridge are incredible.

Distance there and back : 8. The Watkin Path, named after Sir Edward Watkin, is probably the toughest of the six routes to the summit, with the largest vertical ascent.

Sections of this route are very steep with loose scree — but the views are well worth it! Those seeking a longer walk can descend to Pen y Pass and follow a good footpath down the valley , adding an hour or two to the walk. That has the advantage of passing the cafe and Youth Hostel at Pen y Pass as well as the Pen y Gwryd for some well earned refreshment. The initial section, through woodland, is on a built path and provides welcome shade in warm weather.

The views towards the waterfalls provide a highlight of this section. The summit of Snowdon looks far away from here, and dominates the view from this point onwards. Thankfully, the path takes a well graded route up along a good path which switches back just before you reach the ridge and Bwlch y Ciliau.

A good path continues just below the crest of the ridge, which can also be walked by the more adventurous, and brings you with little effort to the bottom of the scree path. This is as far as the Watkin Path technically goes — with the remaining section to join the Rhyd Ddu path being an unpleasant scree path. Despite being unpleasant, it is at least reasonably straightforward to follow.

The rain has made numerous false trails. A scary experience with a thousand foot drop to my right. If you are not experianced in the Mountains then leave this route until you are.

There are many false trails inh the top section and the scree is very loose under foot. If you have experiance though this has to be one of the nicest routes to the summit. If you have not climbed Snowdon before then please make sure you are kitted out in the right gear. It can be a hot spring day at the bottom but can be C and covered in Ice at the summit. It was ish I was on a youth hostelling holiday.

Climb Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, at dusk Enjoy two days in Snowdonia developing the movement and technical skills required for tackling scrambling routes such as Crib Goch The Watkin Path is the toughest route to the summit of Snowdon with a challenging final ascent and stunning views.

Starting just a few metres above sea level, the route offers the biggest vertical ascent gain to the summit, as well as sections of steep and loose scree making the final approach demanding. That said, the Watkin Path is also thought to be the best route to the summit of Snowdon and certainly a personal favourite of ours.

Sir Edward Watkin created this path from the existing quarry path to the summit of Snowdon to allow walkers to climb to the peak. The route takes you through the beautiful woodland of Hafod y Llan and past the roaring rapids and waterfalls of Afon Cwm Llan, making the start of the walk pleasant and interesting. If you are driving, park in the car park in Bethania around 40 spaces situated off the A roughly 10 miles south of Capel Curig or 2 miles north of Beddgelert.

The path begins over the road. The track weaves for 2km through woodland and continues over a number of small bridges and through a series of gates until the track sweeps into the open valley of Cwm Llan. The track then bends around the powerful waterfalls of Afon Cwm Llan.