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Listed summits of Snowdon
Name Grid ref Height Status
Crib y Ddysgl SH610551 1,065 m (3,494 ft) Welsh 3000s, Hewitt, Nuttall
Crib Goch SH624551 923 m (3,028 ft) Welsh 3000s, Hewitt, Nuttall
Craig Fach SH635552 609 m (1,998 ft) sub-Hewitt

Key Information

Snowdon (/ˈsnoʊdən/), or Yr Wyddfa (Welsh: [ər ˈʊɨ̞̯ðva] ⓘ), is a mountain in Snowdonia in North Wales. It has an elevation of 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) above sea level, which makes it both the highest mountain in Wales and the highest in the British Isles south of the Scottish Highlands. Snowdon is designated a national nature reserve for its rare flora and fauna, and is located within Snowdonia National Park.

The rocks that form Snowdon were produced by volcanoes in the Ordovician period, and the massif has been extensively sculpted by glaciation, forming the pyramidal peak of Snowdon and the arêtes of Crib Goch and Y Lliwedd. It is part of the larger Snowdon range, which includes Garnedd Ugain, Yr Aran, and Moel Eilio.[3] There are several lakes on the mountain, the largest of which is Llyn Lydaw (110 acres (45 ha)), located on the eastern flank at 1,430 ft (440 m).

The mountain has been described as the "busiest in the United Kingdom", and in 2022 it was climbed by 543,541 walkers. There are six main paths to the summit, the most popular of which begins in the village of Llanberis to the north.[4] The summit can also be reached using the Snowdon Mountain Railway, which carried 98,567 passengers in 2021.[5] The rack railway, which opened in 1896, operates over 4+3⁄4 miles (7.6 kilometres), from Llanberis to the Summit station. It generally operates from March to the end of October, with trains running to the summit station from May. The cliff faces on Snowdon, including Clogwyn Du'r Arddu, are significant for rock climbing, and the mountain was used by Edmund Hillary in training for the 1953 ascent of Mount Everest. The mountain, alongside Ben Nevis in Scotland and Scafell Pike in England, is climbed as part of the National Three Peaks Challenge.[6]

Toponymy

[edit]
Illustration of King Arthur battling a giant

The name "Snowdon" is first recorded in 1095 as Snawdune, and is derived from the Old English elements snaw and dun, meaning "snow hill".[7][8]

The Welsh name of the mountain, Yr Wyddfa, is first recorded in Latin as Weddua vaur in 1284. This is probably an approximation of Pen y Wyddfa Fawr. The element gwyddfa in this context means 'height, promontory', and also appears in the Welsh name for the town of Mold, Yr Wyddgrug.[8]

Gwyddfa later developed the meaning "burial cairn", and there is a legend that the giant Rhita is buried under the mountain's summit cairn.[8][9] One legend claims that Rhita was defeated and buried on the mountain by King Arthur, and another states that Rhita was killed by the giant Idris who lived on the mountain Cadair Idris.[10][11] The mountain is also linked to other figures from Arthurian legend, a legendary Afanc (water monster) and the Tylwyth Teg (fairies).[7]

The Welsh mountain is sometimes referred to as "Mount Snowdon" or "Mt Snowdon"[12][13] but this is discouraged by many as there is another mountain in British Columbia of the same name.[14][15][16]

In November 2022, national park authority announced they are to refer to the mountain by its Welsh name Yr Wyddfa, not Snowdon.[17] Following a two-year transition period, in November 2024, the authority announced the name would be kept following its success in gaining support and adoption by businesses and media.[18]

Environment

[edit]

Geography and geology

[edit]
The "knife-edge" arête of Crib Goch (foreground) and the pyramidal peak of Snowdon (background) are both the result of glaciation

A 1682 survey estimated that the summit of Snowdon was at an elevation of 3,720 feet (1,130 m); in 1773, Thomas Pennant quoted a later estimate of 3,568 ft (1,088 m) above sea level at Caernarfon. It was long believed to be the tallest mountain on the island of Great Britain until measurements taken in the 18th century confirmed that Ben Nevis and several other Scottish peaks were taller.[19] Recent surveys give the height of the summit as 1,085 m (3,560 ft), making Snowdon the highest mountain in Wales, and the highest point in the British Isles outside Scotland.[20]

The rocks which today make up Snowdon and its neighbouring mountains were formed in the Ordovician Period. At that time, most of modern-day Wales was near the edge of Avalonia, submerged beneath the ancient Iapetus Ocean.[21] In the Soudleyan (former British regional) stage (458 to 457 million years ago) of the Caradoc (British regional) epoch, a volcanic caldera formed, and produced ash flows of rhyolitic tuff, which formed deposits up to 500 metres (1,600 ft) thick.[22] The current summit is near the northern edge of the ancient caldera; the caldera's full extent is unclear, but it extended as far as the summit of Moel Hebog in the south-west.[23]

Snowdon and its surrounding peaks have been described as "true examples of Alpine topography".[24] The summits of Snowdon and Garnedd Ugain are surrounded by cwms, rounded valleys scooped out by glaciation.[25] Erosion by glaciers in adjacent cwms caused the characteristic arêtes of Crib Goch, Crib y Ddysgl and Y Lliwedd, and the pyramidal peak of Snowdon itself.[26] Other glacial landforms that can be seen around Snowdon include roches moutonnées, glacial erratics and moraines.[27]

Climate

[edit]

In winter, Snowdon often has a covering of snow (giving rise to its English name).[28] Although the amount of snow on Snowdon in winter varies significantly, 55% less snow fell in 2004 than in 1994.[29] The slopes of Snowdon have one of the wettest climates in Great Britain, receiving an annual average of more than 5,100 mm (200 in) of precipitation.[30]

Flora and fauna

[edit]
Gagea serotina (the "Snowdon lily") grows on the cliffs of Snowdon.

The environment of Snowdon, particularly its rare plants, has led to the designation of much of the eastern part of the massif as a national nature reserve.[31][32] In addition to plants that are widespread in Snowdonia, Snowdon is home to some plants rarely found elsewhere in Britain. These include the "Snowdon lily", Gagea serotina, which is also found in the Alps and in North America; it was first discovered in Wales by Edward Lhuyd, and the genus Lloydia (now included in Gagea) was later named in his honour by Richard Anthony Salisbury.[33] Snowdon lies in the northern part of Snowdonia National Park,[34] which has also provided some legal protection since the park's establishment in 1951.[35]

Otters, polecats, and goats have been seen near or on the mountain,[36] although pine martens have not been seen for many years.[37] Birds that can be seen include the raven, red-billed chough, peregrine, osprey, merlin, red kite and moorland birds.[38]

Lakes

[edit]
Llyn Llydaw, the largest and deepest lake on Snowdon's flanks, is crossed by a causeway at its eastern end.

A number of lakes are found in the various cwms of the Snowdon range:

  • Llyn Llydaw – 1,430 ft (440 m) high, 110 acres (45 ha) – lies in Cwm Dyli, Snowdon's eastern cwm, and is one of Snowdonia's deepest lakes, at up to 190 ft (58 m) deep. Various explanations of its name have been put forward, including lludw ("ash"), from ashen deposits along the shore, to Llydaw ("Brittany").[39] It contains evidence of a crannog settlement, and was the location of a 10-by-2-foot (3 m × 0.6 m) dugout canoe described in the Cambrian Journal in 1862.[39] The lake is significantly coloured by washings from the copper mines nearby, and is used by the Cwm Dyli hydroelectric power station, which opened in 1906.[39] The lake is crossed by a causeway, built in 1853 and raised in the 20th century to prevent the causeway from flooding frequently.[40]
  • Glaslyn – 1,970 feet (600 m) high, 18 acres (7.3 ha) – lies higher up Cwm Dyli than Llyn Llydaw.[41] It was originally called Llyn y Ffynnon Glas, and has a depth of 127 feet (39 m).[41] For a long time, it was believed to be bottomless, and is also the location for various myths.[41]
  • Llyn Ffynnon-y-gwas – 1,430 feet (440 m) high, 10 acres (4.0 ha) – lies in Cwm Treweunydd, Snowdon's north-western cwm, and is passed by the Snowdon Ranger path.[42] It was enlarged by damming for use as a reservoir for use by slate quarries, but the level has since been lowered, and the lake's volume reduced to 24,000 cubic metres (850,000 cu ft).[42]

Other lakes include: Llyn Du'r Arddu below Clogwyn Du'r Arddu, at a height of 1,901 feet (579 m), 5 acres (2.0 ha); Llyn Teyrn near Pen-y-pass, at a height of 1,237 feet (377 m), 5 acres (2.0 ha); and several smaller pools.[43]

Leisure activities

[edit]

Snowdon has been described as "the busiest mountain in Britain",[44] with some 543,541 people having walked up the mountain in 2022.[45] There are six main walking paths, which can be combined in various ways.[46] In addition, the circular walk starting and ending at Pen-y-Pass and using the Crib Goch route and the route over Y Lliwedd, both of which involve scrambling, is called the Snowdon Horseshoe, and is considered "one of the finest ridge walks in Britain".[47] The routes are arranged here anticlockwise, starting with the path leading from Llanberis. In winter conditions, all these routes become significantly more dangerous and the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team state that "additional skills, equipment and knowledge are required".[48] Many inexperienced walkers have been killed over the years attempting to climb the mountain via the main paths.[49]

The mountain itself may also be viewed on takeoff and approach to both Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport on very clear days, and even from Howth Head in Dublin, Ireland.[50]

Part of the queue for the summit pillar in August 2020

On 26 June 2018, Sam Laming became the first ever Wingsuit pilot to perform a 'Proximity Flight' over a UK mountain, by flying approximately 30 metres over Snowdon's summit, after jumping from a helicopter with fellow wingsuit camera pilot, Mike Hitchcock.[51]

In 2021, John Harold, the director of the Snowdonia Society, reported that the number of visitors ascending Snowdon was exceeding capacity. At popular times walkers queue for upwards of 45 minutes for an opportunity to take a photo at the summit pillar.[52]

Rock climbing

[edit]
Clogwyn Du'r Arddu
A rock climbing site

The Snowdon Massif includes a number of cliffs, and holds an important place in the history of rock climbing in the United Kingdom. Clogwyn Du'r Arddu is often colloquially known as 'Cloggy' among climbers, and was the site of the first recorded climb in Britain, in 1798.[7] It was carried out by Peter Bailey Williams and William Bingley, while searching for rare plants.[7] It is now considered to be one of the best cliffs in Britain for rock climbing.[53]

Y Lliwedd was also explored by early climbers, and was the subject of a 1909 climbing guide, The Climbs on Lliwedd by J. M. A. Thompson and A. W. Andrews, one of the first in Britain.[7] Snowdon was used by Edmund Hillary and his group during preparations for their successful 1953 expedition to climb Mount Everest.[7]

Paths

[edit]
Sketch map of the Snowdon Massif
Legend
  • grey: ridges
  • red lines: paths
  • orange lines: roads
  • dotted grey line: Snowdon Mountain Railway

The first recorded ascent of Snowdon was by the botanist Thomas Johnson in 1639.[7] However, the 18th-century Welsh historian Thomas Pennant mentions a "triumphal fair upon this our chief of mountains" following Edward I's conquest of Wales in 1284, which could indicate the possibility of earlier ascents.[54]

The six main paths were mapped by the Google Trekker in 2015.[55] The elevations and gradients given here are for the start point on a public road, based on Ordnance Survey mapping. Other definitions are possible so alternative figures can be found.[56][57]

A graph showing the profiles of the six main walking routes up Snowdon plus the two halves of the Snowdon Horseshoe
Profiles of the main routes up Snowdon

Llanberis Path

[edit]

Length: 6.8 km (4.2 mi). Elevation gain: 965 m (3,166 ft). Overall gradient: 1 in 7.1 (14.1%).

The Llanberis Path is the longest route to the summit. It follows close to the line of the railway, and being the easiest ascent,[20] it is the route used by the annual Snowdon Race,[58] which has a record time of less than 40 minutes recorded from the start to the summit.[59]

The section of the Llanberis Path above Clogwyn station has long been called the "Killer Convex"; in icy conditions, this convex slope can send unwary walkers over the cliffs of Clogwyn Du'r Arddu. Four people died there in February 2009.[60][61]

Snowdon Ranger Path

[edit]
The Snowdon Ranger Path crosses a boggy area before ascending past Llyn Ffynnon-y-gwas.

Length: 6.3 km (3.9 mi). Elevation gain: 935 m (3,068 ft). Overall gradient: 1 in 6.7 (14.9%).

The Snowdon Ranger Path (Welsh: Llwybr Cwellyn) begins at the youth hostel beside Llyn Cwellyn, to the west of the mountain, served by the A4085 and Snowdon Ranger railway station. This was formerly the Saracen's Head Inn, but was renamed under the ownership of the mountain guide John Morton.[19] It is thought to be the oldest path to the summit.[20]

The route begins with zigzags through turf,[40] before reaching a flatter boggy area in front of Llyn Ffynnon-y-gwas. The path then climbs to Bwlch Cwm Brwynog, and then snakes along the ridge above Clogwyn Du'r Arddu towards the summit. This path meets the railway, the Llanberis Path, the Crib Goch path, and the combined Pyg Track and Miners' Track all within a short distance, just below the summit.[40]

Rhyd Ddu path

[edit]

Length: 5.8 km (3.6 mi). Elevation gain: 905 m (2,969 ft) or 896 m (2,940 ft)[40][56][self-published source?] depending on exact start point. Overall gradient: 1 in 6.4 (15.7%).

The Rhyd Ddu path, formerly called the Beddgelert Path, leads from the village of Rhyd Ddu, west of Snowdon, gently up on to Llechog, a broad ridge dropping west from the summit.[7] It is considered one of the easier routes to the summit,[40][7] with the advantage that the summit is visible from the start,[7] but is one of the least used routes.[53] It climbs at a shallow gradient to Bwlch Main, shortly southwest of the summit, from where it climbs more steeply, meeting up with the Watkin Path at a site marked with a large standing stone a few hundred metres from the summit. An alternative start begins at Pitt's Head on the A4085 road.[53]

Watkin Path

[edit]
Plas Cwmllan (right) and Gladstone Rock (left) in Cwm Llan, looking along the Watkin Path

Length: 6.2 km (3.9 mi). Elevation gain: 1,025 m (3,363 ft). Overall gradient: 1 in 6.1 (16.5%).

The Watkin Path is "the most demanding route direct to the summit of Snowdon",[31] since it starts at the lowest elevation of any of the main routes and has the steepest overall gradient.[40] It was first conceived by Sir Edward Watkin, a railway owner who had attempted to build a railway tunnel under the English Channel, and had a summer home in Nant Gwynant near the start of the path.[20] It was originally designed as a donkey track and opened in 1892.[40]

The start of the Watkin Path has been described as "the prettiest beginning" of the routes up Snowdon.[40] It begins at Bethania on the A498 and climbs initially through old broadleaved woodland.[40] After leaving the woods, the path climbs past the waterfalls of the Afon Llan to the glacial cirque of Cwm Llan, crossing a disused incline from an abandoned slate quarry.[31] It then reaches Plas Cwmllan, formerly the home of the quarry manager for the South Snowdon Slate Works beyond, and later used for target practice by commandos during the Second World War.[31] Near Plas Cwmllan is the large boulder known as Gladstone Rock, which bears a plaque commemorating a speech given in 1892 by William Ewart Gladstone, the then 82-year-old Prime Minister, on the subject of Justice for Wales.[40] The slate workings in Cwm Llan were opened in 1840, but closed in 1882 due to the expense of transporting the slate to the sea at Porthmadog. Various buildings, including barracks and dressing sheds, remain.[31]

From the slate quarries, the Watkin Path veers to the north-east to reach Bwlch Ciliau, the col between Snowdon and Y Lliwedd, which is marked by a large orange-brown cairn.[40] From here, it heads west to meet the Rhyd Ddu Path at a standing stone shortly below the summit of Snowdon.[31]

Over Y Lliwedd

[edit]
Y Lliwedd In early spring

Length: 6.4 km (4.0 mi).

The route over Y Lliwedd is more frequently used for descent than ascent, and forms the second half of the Snowdon Horseshoe walk, the ascent being over Crib Goch. It is reached from the summit by following the Watkin Path down to Bwlch y Saethau, and then continuing along the ridge to the twin summits of Y Lliwedd.[47] The path then drops down to Cwm Dyli to join the Miners' Track towards Pen-y-Pass.

Miners' Track

[edit]
The Pyg Track (above) and Miners Track (below) merge above Glaslyn. Crib Goch is visible at the top.

Length: 6.6 km (4.1 mi). Elevation gain: 726 m (2,382 ft). Overall gradient: 1 in 9.1 (10.9%).

The Miners' Track (Welsh: Llwybr y Mwynwyr) begins at the car park at Pen-y-Pass, at an elevation of around 360 m (1,180 ft), and has the shallowest overall gradient.[7] It begins by skirting Llyn Teyrn before climbing slightly to cross the causeway over Llyn Llydaw.[7] It follows the lake's shoreline before climbing to Glaslyn, from where it ascends steeply towards Bwlch Glas. It is joined for most of this zigzag ascent by the Pyg Track, and on reaching the summit ridge, is united with the Llanberis Path and Snowdon Ranger Path.[7] Derelict mine buildings are encountered along several parts of the path.[7]

Pyg Track

[edit]
Pyg Track Snowdon
Standing stone marking the start of the Pyg Track at Pen-y-Pass

Length: 5.3 km (3.3 mi). Elevation gain: 726 m (2,382 ft). Overall gradient: 1 in 7.3 (13.7%).

The "Pyg Track" (Welsh: Llwybr Pyg), or "Pig Track" (both spellings may be encountered), also leads from Pen-y-Pass.[40] The track climbs over Bwlch y Moch on the eastern flanks of Crib Goch, before traversing that ridge's lower slopes.[7] Above Glaslyn, it is joined by the Miners' Track for the zigzag climb to Bwlch Glas between Snowdon and Garnedd Ugain, where it joins the combined Llanberis and Snowdon Ranger paths.[7]

From the website of the Snowdonia National Park Authority,

Nobody knows for certain why this path is called the Pyg Track. It's possible that it was named after the pass it leads through, Bwlch y Moch (translated Pigs' Pass) as the path is sometimes spelled 'Pig Track'. Or, maybe because it was used to carry 'pyg' (black tar) to the copper mines on Snowdon. Another possible explanation is that the path was named after the nearby Pen y Gwryd Hotel, popular amongst the early mountain walkers.

— Snowdonia National Park Authority[62]

Crib Goch

[edit]

Length: 5.0 km (3.1 mi).

The traverse of Crib Goch has been described as "one of the finest ridge walks in Britain",[47] and forms part of the Snowdon Horseshoe, a circuit of the peaks surrounding Cwm Dyli.[7] The path follows the Pyg Track before separating off from it at Bwlch y Moch and leading up the East ridge of Crib Goch. After the Crib Goch ridge, it descends slightly to Bwlch Coch, then ascends to the peak of Garnedd Ugain (1,065 m or 3,494 ft), before dropping to join the Llanberis path. All routes which tackle Crib Goch are considered mountaineering routes or scrambles.[63]

Snowdon Mountain Railway

[edit]
Main article: Snowdon Mountain Railway
Approaching the Summit railway station

The Snowdon Mountain Railway (SMR) (Welsh: Rheilffordd yr Wyddfa) is a narrow-gauge rack-and-pinion mountain railway that travels for 4+3⁄4 miles (7.6 km) from Llanberis to the Summit station of Snowdon.[64] It is the only public rack and pinion railway in the United Kingdom,[64][65] and after more than 100 years of operation it remains a popular tourist attraction, carrying more than 130,000 passengers annually.[66] Single carriage trains are pushed up the mountain by either steam locomotives or diesel locomotives. It has also previously used diesel railcars as multiple units. The railway was constructed between December 1894, when the first sod was cut by Enid Assheton-Smith (after whom locomotive No.2 was named), and February 1896, at a total cost of £63,800 (equivalent to £9,325,000 as of 2023).[67]

Summit

[edit]
Hafod Eryri
Hafod Eryri, built in 2009
Hafod Eryri (2009)
Map
Interactive map of the Hafod Eryri area
General information
Locationvia Snowdon Mountain Railway, Llanberis, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 4TY
Coordinates53°04′08″N 4°04′32″W / 53.068865°N 4.075588°W / 53.068865; -4.075588
Elevation1,065 m (3,494 ft)
Opened12 June 2009
Cost£8.4m
Design and construction
Architecture firmRay Hole Architects
Structural engineerArup
Main contractorCarillion
Awards and prizesRIBA Welsh Architecture Award 2010
Website
Hafod Eryri Visitor Centre

The first building to be erected at the Snowdon summit was in 1838 to sell refreshments, and a licence to sell intoxicating liquor was granted in 1845.[7] Very basic accommodation was also provided for visitors.[68] When the Snowdon Mountain Railway was opened in 1896, the company strove to get an alcohol licence for its own proposed new hotel, but being unable to, took over both summit huts by 1898.[68]

During the 1930s, many complaints were received about the state of the facilities at the summit and in 1934/5 a new station building was erected in two phases; the upstairs accommodation was completed in 1937. It was designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and included rooms for visitors and a cafe. The other operators were bought out and the ramshackle collection of buildings on the summit was cleared. The flat roof was intended to be used as a viewing platform and some photographs show it being used in this way. However, other photographs taken of the cafe show that the roof leaked, which probably explains why the practice was stopped. The Summit was taken over by government agencies during the war and the accommodation was restricted to staff use afterwards.[68] Having become increasingly dilapidated in post-war decades, this building was described by Prince Charles as "the highest slum in Wales".[69] Its state led to a campaign to replace the building. In April 2006, Snowdonia National Park Authority, with the support of the Snowdonia Society, agreed a deal to start work on a new cafe and visitor centre complex.[70] By mid-October 2006 the old building had been largely demolished.

The new RIBA Award-winning[71] £8.4 million visitor centre, Hafod Eryri, designed by Ray Hole Architects in conjunction with Arup and built by Carillion, was officially opened on 12 June 2009[72] by First Minister Rhodri Morgan.[73] The Welsh National Poet, Gwyn Thomas, composed a new couplet for the new building, displayed at its entrance and on the windows, which reads "Copa'r Wyddfa: yr ydych chwi, yma, Yn nes at y nefoedd / The summit of Snowdon: You are, here, nearer to Heaven".[74] The name Hafod Eryri was chosen from several hundred put forward after a competition was held by the BBC.[75][76] Hafod is Welsh for an upland summer residence, while Eryri is the Welsh name for Snowdonia.[7]

The summit pillar was built in 2001, the brass toposcope carrying the date 2000. This plate details exactly 100 locations—mostly other peaks—which can be seen, given ideal visibility. Of the locations mentioned, Mount Leinster (in the Blackstairs Mountains in Ireland) is the furthest, at 188 miles away, with the Wicklow Mountains (also in Ireland) being 100 miles away. Slieve Donard, in Northern Ireland, is 108 miles away. The Lake District is 100 miles away, Penmaen Dewi (St David's Head in Pembrokeshire) is 96 miles away, Kinder Scout (in the Peak District) is 94 miles away, and the Isle of Man is 84 miles away.

Originally Snowdon and its summit were owned by three agricultural estates, Vaynol, Hafod y Llan and the Baron Hill Estate. Today the Vaynol land at the summit is owned by the Snowdonia National Park Authority, Hafod y Llan by the National Trust and the Baron Hill Estate retains its holding.[77] The Baron Hill Estate land consists of the farm of Gwastadannas, which includes the Snowdon Horseshoe, Glaslyn, Llyn Llydaw and the northern end of Nant Gwynant.

Welsh literature

[edit]
In Arthurian legend, Bedivere threw Excalibur into a lake identified by some as Glaslyn on the slopes of Snowdon.

In Welsh folklore, the summit of Snowdon is said to be the tomb of Rhitta Gawr, a giant.[7] This is claimed to be the reason for the Welsh name Yr Wyddfa,[40] literally meaning "the tumulus".[78] Rhitta Gawr wore a cloak made of men's beards, and was slain by King Arthur after claiming Arthur's beard.[41] Other sites with Arthurian connections include Bwlch y Saethau, on the ridge between Snowdon and Y Lliwedd, where Arthur himself is said to have died. A cairn, Carnedd Arthur, was erected at the site and was still standing as late as 1850,[41] but no longer exists.[7] According to the folklore, Arthur had Bedivere throw his sword Excalibur into Glaslyn, where Arthur's body was later placed in a boat to be carried away to Afallon. Arthur's men then retreated to a cave on the slopes of Y Lliwedd, where they are said to sleep until such time as they are needed.[41][47] Merlin is supposed to have hidden the golden throne of Britain among the cliffs north of Crib y Ddysgl when the Saxons invaded.[79] Glaslyn was also the final resting place of a water monster, known as an afanc (also the Welsh word for beaver), which had plagued the people of the Conwy valley. They tempted the monster out of the water with a young girl, before securing it with chains and dragging it to Glaslyn.[41][7] A large stone known as Maen Du'r Arddu, below Clogwyn Du'r Arddu, is supposed to have magical powers. Like several other sites in Wales, it is said that if two people spend the night there, one will become a great poet while the other will become insane.[80] Llyn Coch in Cwm Clogwyn has been associated with the Tylwyth Teg (fairies), including a version of the fairy bride legend.[81]

[edit]

In 1968, scenes representing the Khyber Pass were filmed for Carry On... Up the Khyber on the lower part of the Watkin Path.[82] In 2005, Angela Douglas, one of the stars of the film, unveiled a plaque at the precise location where filming took place to commemorate the location filming. It now forms part of the North Wales Film and Television Trail run by the Wales Screen Commission.[83]

In art

[edit]

Injuries and deaths

[edit]

In January and February 2009 on Snowdon there were four people who died and three of these four deaths were related to people falling.[84] In 2021 there were four people who died on Snowdon.[85]

In 2021 two people were injured and taken to hospital after being struck by lightning on top of Snowdon.[86]

Use of Yr Wyddfa in English

[edit]

In April 2021 a motion was put forward by Gwynedd Councillor John Pughe Roberts for Snowdon to be called by its Welsh name Yr Wyddfa in all official use, and for Snowdonia to similarly be known only as Eryri. The motion, however, was rejected as the National Park already had a task group looking at the use and retention of Welsh names. An earlier petition calling for the National Park Authority to do this had been rejected by the Senedd the previous year after it was found to be the responsibility of the park itself, rather than the Welsh Government.[87]

In May 2021, following the dismissal of the motion, YouGov conducted a poll on Snowdon's name. Sixty per cent of Welsh adults supported the English name Snowdon, compared to 30% wanting the Welsh name Yr Wyddfa. Separating by language, 59% of Welsh speakers preferred the Welsh name, while 37% wanted Snowdon to not be scrapped entirely; 69% of non-Welsh speakers firmly supported Snowdon as the mountain's name.[88]

In November 2022, Snowdonia National Park Authority voted to use Yr Wyddfa and Eryri (rather than Snowdon and Snowdonia) in its usage,[17] though in statutory documents both Welsh and English will still be required by law.[89]

In November 2024, the authority stated that the name change had been a "success" as many businesses and media had followed suit. The authority stated that a summer survey showed "strong support" from locals and visitors for the name change. While some concerns were raised over misconceptions by some that the Welsh names were new and mispronunciations, the authority stated that the change resulted in the park being more associated with a Welsh identity, and more different from other UK national parks. The authority is set to make a pronunciation guide and publish a report on the change.[18]

See also

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Notes

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References

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[edit]
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Snowdon, known in Welsh as Yr Wyddfa, is a massif in northern that culminates at an of 1,085 metres (3,560 feet), making it the highest peak in both and . Located within Eryri in , the forms a prominent part of the Eryri landscape, characterized by rugged terrain including sharp ridges like Crib Goch and steep cliffs such as Clogwyn Du'r Arddu. The , accessible via multiple hiking routes ranging from family-friendly paths to strenuous scrambles, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, with the Llanberis Path being the longest but most gradual ascent at approximately 14.5 kilometres round trip. The , operational since 1896, provides a rack-and-pinion alternative to the summit for those avoiding the climb, reaching the peak in about an hour. Geologically, Snowdon consists of ancient volcanic and sedimentary rocks dating back over 400 million years, contributing to its dramatic profile shaped by glacial erosion during the Ice Age. Culturally significant in Welsh tradition, Yr Wyddfa features in , including associations with mythical figures, and serves as a key site for , , and environmental conservation efforts within the . Despite its popularity, the mountain poses risks due to unpredictable weather and exposure, with incidents underscoring the need for preparation among ascenders.

Physical Characteristics

Geography and Geology

Snowdon, or Yr Wyddfa, is the highest peak in at an elevation of 1,085 metres (3,560 feet), as confirmed by measurements and subsequent surveys. It lies within Eryri National Park in , , at coordinates 53°04′07″N 04°04′36″W. The mountain anchors the , a compact upland area encompassing subsidiary summits such as (1,065 m) to the north, the knife-edge ridge of (922 m) to the east, and the twin-peaked Y Lliwedd (898 m) to the south. These peaks are linked by steep arêtes and cirques, forming the renowned Snowdon Horseshoe circuit, with the massif rising sharply from surrounding valleys like Nant Gwynant and . Geologically, the Snowdon massif originated during the Ordovician Caradoc stage, around 450 million years ago, amid subduction-related volcanism in a marginal basin setting. The dominant Snowdon Volcanic Group comprises rhyolitic lavas, ash-flow tuffs (up to 700 m thick in places), and basaltic intrusions, erupted from caldera complexes including the Snowdon caldera, with volumes exceeding 60 km³ for major events like the Lower Rhyolitic Tuff Formation. These felsic to mafic rocks, including welded and non-welded tuffs, pillow lavas, and hyaloclastites, are interbedded with marine sediments and folded into a syncline by the Caledonian Orogeny. Older Cambrian sedimentary sequences of the Harlech Dome underlie the volcanic pile, metamorphosed into slates and grits. Quaternary glaciation profoundly modified the terrain, carving U-shaped valleys, hanging valleys, and steep cwms such as Cwm Dyli and Clogwyn Du'r Arddu, with erratic boulders and striations evidencing multiple ice ages culminating around 18,000 years ago. Mineralization from volcanic fluids produced copper-lead-zinc veins, historically mined in the vicinity. The rock succession reflects fractional crystallization from basaltic parent magmas with crustal assimilation, yielding geochemical signatures of island-arc tholeiites transitioning to ocean-island basalts.

Climate and Weather

Snowdon's climate is classified as hyper-oceanic within the broader temperate maritime regime of northwest , characterized by high , cool temperatures, and frequent strong winds due to its exposure to Atlantic systems and of 1,085 . Annual rainfall at the exceeds 4,000 millimeters, with estimates reaching up to 5,000 millimeters in wetter years, driven by orographic enhancement as moist air rises over the mountain. This results in persistent and , with over 200 rainy days per year on average across the region. Temperatures at the summit average around 5°C annually, approximately 10°C cooler than at due to the environmental of roughly 1°C per 100 meters of ascent. Winter lows frequently drop below freezing, with mean temperatures near 0°C or lower, while summer highs rarely exceed 10-12°C even on clear days. exacerbates these conditions, as average hourly wind speeds reach 21 kilometers per hour (13 ) in , the windiest month, with frequent gusts surpassing 80 kilometers per hour (50 ), particularly from to March. Snowfall is common from to , with snow levels varying between 600 and 800 during active winter storms, though accumulation at the summit can persist into spring or even summer in shaded . Rapid shifts are a hallmark, with visibility often reduced to near zero by or low , contributing to navigational hazards for mountaineers; the records frequent warnings for gales and across all seasons. These patterns underscore Snowdon's divergence from lowland , where is lower at 850-1,500 millimeters annually.

Flora, Fauna, and Ecology

Yr Wyddfa National Nature Reserve covers Snowdon, which hosts montane ecosystems characterized by acidic grasslands dominated by sheep's-fescue (Festuca ovina), bent grasses (Agrostis spp.), and mat grass (Nardus stricta), particularly in drier and wetter upland areas respectively. These habitats reflect adaptations to harsh, exposed conditions above the tree line, with vegetation influenced by heavy sheep grazing and historical human land use. The flora includes rare arctic-alpine species, most notably the Snowdon lily (Gagea serotina, formerly Lloydia serotina), a bulbous with grass-like leaves and white, purple-veined flowers blooming in late spring. This plant, a glacial relict, occurs exclusively on Snowdon's rocky slopes within the , confined to inaccessible cliffs to evade grazing and trampling. Fauna on Snowdon features hardy montane species adapted to rugged . Mammals include feral goats roaming the slopes, brown hares (Lepus europaeus), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), badgers (Meles meles), and occasional pine martens (Martes martes), alongside introduced fallow deer (Dama dama). such as peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) and (Corvus corax) nest on the jagged cliffs, exploiting the open landscape for hunting. Ecological pressures include exceedance of critical loads for acidity and deposition, affecting integrity despite modest shifts observed in long-term monitoring. Conservation efforts prioritize protecting endemic flora like the Snowdon lily from recreational impacts and , underscoring the site's international importance within the Eryri/ .

Lakes and Water Bodies

The principal water bodies on and around Snowdon are glacial tarns formed in cirques (cwms) during the last Ice Age, dotting the eastern and southeastern flanks of the . These include Llyn Teyrn, Llyn Llydaw, and Llyn Glaslyn, which lie along the Miners' Track from Pen-y-Pass and contribute to the scenic appeal of ascents via the Pyg Track or Miners' Track. These oligotrophic lakes feature clear, nutrient-poor waters supporting limited aquatic life, with outflows feeding into the Afon Glaslyn river system downstream. Llyn Glaslyn, Welsh for "blue lake," occupies a at approximately 600 meters below the , accessible via steep paths from the Pyg Track junction. Its heart-shaped form and deep, pristine waters—reaching up to 39 meters in places—make it a focal point for hikers and wild swimmers, though its remote position and cold temperatures (often below 10°C even in summer) limit recreational use. The tarn's outflow cascades as waterfalls toward Llyn Llydaw, enhancing the hydrological linkage within the Snowdon . Lower on the eastern flank, Llyn Llydaw (meaning " lake") forms a long, narrow tarn in a hanging valley cwm at around 440 meters , visible from the Miners' Track and serving as a midpoint landmark on routes to the . Its bleak, exposed setting amid steep slopes underscores the glacial that sculpted the terrain, with the lake's surface reflecting surrounding peaks like Y Lliwedd. Smaller Llyn Teyrn precedes it along the same track, a shallower tarn offering initial views into the cwm system. At the mountain's base, —a larger glacial extending 3.2 kilometers in length and 29 meters deep—lies adjacent to the Llanberis Path , though it lies outside the immediate and drains separately into Afon Padarn. These water bodies collectively influence local microclimates, supporting alpine along their shores while posing hazards like risks for unwary visitors.

Naming and Etymology

Origins of Names

The English name Snowdon originates from Old English snāw ("") and dūn ("hill"), translating to "snow hill," a descriptor reflecting the mountain's frequent snow cover even in milder seasons. This form first appears in historical records as Snawdune in the entry for 1095, with subsequent spellings evolving through variants such as Snaudun and Snaudon. The name's adoption aligns with Anglo-Saxon observations of the landscape during early medieval incursions into , emphasizing topographic rather than mythological features. The Welsh name Yr Wyddfa (pronounced approximately "uhr WITH-va"), meaning "the tumulus" or "the grave," derives from gwyddfa, denoting a burial mound or . This etymology is linked to a medieval recounted in Welsh , wherein the giant Rhita (or Rhitta) Gawr was slain by and buried atop the peak, forming a massive ; the name is thus interpreted as a shortened form of Gwyddfa Rhita ("Rhita's "). While the legend appears in later Arthurian traditions, such as those compiled in the 12th-century by and echoed in Welsh poetry, the precise linguistic origin of wyddfa predates these narratives, rooted in Proto-Celtic terms for elevated or piled earth structures. No earlier pre-Roman or Brittonic names for the specific peak are attested in surviving sources, though the broader may have been referenced in ancient Celtic oral traditions without direct toponymic evidence.

Contemporary Usage and Debate

In official communications, the Eryri National Park Authority has prioritized the Welsh name Yr Wyddfa over Snowdon since a November 2022 vote, using it exclusively in English-language materials, signage, and promotions to safeguard indigenous nomenclature and promote linguistic heritage. This aligns with the park's broader rebranding from to Eryri, reflecting documented Welsh usage dating to the . Private operators, such as the —which ferries approximately 140,000 passengers yearly to the —retain Snowdon as the primary brand while acknowledging Yr Wyddfa secondarily on websites and tickets. resources and international maps continue favoring Snowdon for its phonetic accessibility, with hybrid usage common in guidebooks and apps serving the mountain's 600,000 annual visitors. The policy has fueled contention between cultural preservationists and pragmatists. Advocates, including members who proposed exclusive Welsh naming in 2021, assert that supplanting anglicized terms counters historical marginalization of Welsh, fostering identity in a bilingual where only 19% speak the language fluently. Opponents, including some climbers and tourists, decry it as performative or exclusionary, arguing that enforcing non-intuitive pronunciations (approximately "er-uh-th-vah") alienates English-dominant visitors reliant on established for and bookings, without measurable ecological or economic benefits. In November 2024, park officials claimed the transition succeeded, noting heightened Welsh name recognition via analytics and no visitation drop, though independent data shows Snowdon dominating search queries and global media by over 10:1 ratios. Persistent underscores practical limits to top-down linguistic shifts, with no statutory mandate enforcing Yr Wyddfa beyond park boundaries.

Historical Context

Early Human Activity and Significance

![Walter Crane's depiction of King Arthur and the giant, relating to Snowdon folklore]float-right Archaeological surveys have identified 56 prehistoric sites in the Snowdon area, including cairns and field systems dating to the and , though direct evidence of activity on the summit itself remains absent. analyses from peat deposits near Late and Romano-British settlements in reveal human-induced vegetation changes, such as forest clearance for agriculture and , beginning around 2000 BCE. These findings indicate sustained low-level exploitation of the surrounding landscape for resources, with early fieldscapes emerging between the first millennium BCE and first millennium CE, shaped by environmental constraints and settlement patterns. A summit cairn, potentially Bronze Age in origin and recorded by the Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, lies buried under the modern structure, suggesting possible ritual or navigational use, though its precise dating and function lack confirmation due to overlying developments. Nearby Iron Age sites, including iron production facilities with slag heaps and hearths at locations like Bryn y Castell, underscore the region's role in early metallurgy, supported by radiocarbon-dated evidence of intensified activity from the late first millennium BCE. In Welsh cultural tradition, Snowdon held profound symbolic importance, mythologized as the burial site of the giant Rhitta Gawr, slain by in legend, which etymologically links to the name Yr Wyddfa ("the grave" or "burial place"). This association, rooted in medieval rather than empirical records, reflects the mountain's perceived sacred status among early Welsh peoples, potentially amplifying its role in pre-Christian rituals or as a landscape marker in oral histories, distinct from verifiable archaeological traces.

Exploration, Mapping, and Development

The earliest recorded explorations of Snowdon focused on scientific pursuits, particularly , with local inhabitants likely having ascended the peak for practical purposes long before documentation. The first documented ascent took place in 1639 by Thomas Johnson, an English and from , who climbed with a guide to collect alpine plants such as Lloydia serotina. Subsequent 17th- and 18th-century ascents were predominantly by naturalists and geologists, including experiments like Edmond Halley's 1697 barometric measurements on the summit for the Royal Society to study . Mapping efforts began with rudimentary trigonometric surveys, such as John Caswell's 1682 estimation of the mountain's height at 3,720 feet—overstating the true elevation of 3,560 feet. Systematic advanced through the , which initiated Wales-wide in 1802 and used Snowdon as a primary station from 1803, erecting an initial and staff on the summit for visibility across distances up to 108 miles to in Ireland. The was enlarged in 1826–1827 and again during resurveys from to November 1842, incorporating 28 trig points for national linkage; further detailing for 6-inch county maps occurred in 1886–1887. The Geological Survey of mapped the Snowdon district starting in 1846, producing one-inch sheets that detailed volcanic and sedimentary formations. Path development emerged in the early to support and growing , with the Miners' Track constructed around the 1800s by copper mine operators at Alltwyllt for access to Bwlch y Saethau. The Path, an ancient route formalized for visitors, became prominent after the 1826 completion of the turnpike road from Cwm y Glo, while the Snowdon Ranger Path connected to the Caernarfon-Beddgelert road. Improvements included widening the Clawdd Coch section in 1864 by local landowner Mr. Prichard for safer passage. The Watkin Path, starting near , was built in 1892 under engineer Sir Edward Watkin and opened on 11 April by Prime Minister William Gladstone, incorporating ambitious cuttings and a tramway intended for a potential . Basic summit infrastructure appeared concurrently, with the first recorded hut referenced in 1804, possibly a simple ; by 1827, Ordnance Surveyors enhanced a cairn-adjacent structure, and two huts stood by 1837, evolving into wooden accommodations with beds by the 1840s under operators like Morris Williams. A dry-stone , built around by a guide, served as an en-route refuge. These developments facilitated safer access amid rising ascents, though they preceded the 1896 .

Recreation and Access

Hiking Trails and Routes

The six principal routes to the of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) provide varied and scenery, ranging from gradual inclines to steep, rocky ascents, with all classified as strenuous and suitable only for experienced walkers equipped with proper gear, maps, and weather preparedness. Distances and times listed are approximate round-trip figures for average fitness levels, subject to conditions like weather and crowd levels, which can lead to queues at bottlenecks such as Pen-y-Pass. The Llanberis Path is the longest but most gradual and popular, historically used as a pony track, while routes from Pen-y-Pass offer shorter but steeper options amid mining heritage landscapes. The following table summarizes key statistics for the routes:
RouteDistance (miles, round trip)Ascent (m)Estimated Time (hours)Starting PointKey Features and Terrain
Llanberis Path9975~7Victoria Terrace, Gradual ascent on maintained path; busiest route, suitable for relative novices with fitness.
Miners’ Track8723~6Pen-y-Pass car parkFollows historic route with lake views; steep rocky sections post-Llyn Llydaw.
Pyg Track7723~6Pen-y-Pass car parkSteep, rugged zigzags; joins Miners’ Track near summit, with exposure risks near junction.
Watkin Path81,015~6Pont Bethania, Nant GwynantSteepest ascent with waterfalls and Gladstone Rock; most challenging, opened in 1892.
Rhyd Ddu Path8.5895~6Rhyd Ddu car parkScenic south-side views; quieter, with varied terrain including .
Snowdon Ranger Path8936~6Llyn Cwellyn car parkSteep initial climb from lake; historical tourist path, quieter but demanding navigation.
Walkers often combine the Pyg Track ascent with the Miners’ Track descent for a 5-mile circuit emphasizing lakeside paths, though this increases erosion risks on popular sections monitored by park authorities. All paths converge near the summit, where congestion peaks in summer; parking at trailheads fills early, with shuttle services like Sherpa’r Wyddfa recommended.

Rock Climbing and Scrambles

Snowdon's scrambling opportunities center on its eastern ridges, with Crib Goch offering the most iconic Grade 1 route, featuring a narrow knife-edge arête up to 1 km long with significant exposure and requiring hands-on-rock navigation despite the low technical grade. The scramble includes pinnacles and a 'bad step' section that demands careful foot placement, typically accessed via the Pyg Track before branching onto the ridge toward Crib y Ddysgl. Y Lliwedd provides another Grade 1 option with steeper sections and sheer drops, often incorporated into the Snowdon Horseshoe circuit, a full-day traverse linking Crib Goch, the summit, and Lliwedd via exposed but straightforward scrambling. These routes demand good weather, as verglas or crowds can elevate risks, with Crib Goch recording multiple fatalities annually due to slips on the east face. Rock climbing on Snowdon focuses on high mountain crags like Clogwyn du'r Arddu (Cloggy), a 300-meter south-facing wall below the summit renowned for committing, trad routes spanning VS to E5 grades, with classics such as Master's Wall (E3, 6b, first ascended in 1964) and Indian Face (E3, 6b, 1979) exemplifying sustained crack and wall climbing on excellent rhyolite. The crag's history dates to the 1930s, establishing it as a proving ground for British hard routes, though its altitude (around 900 meters) and remoteness require efficient belays and descent via abseil or the Llanberis path. Other areas like the east face of Lliwedd host multi-pitch adventures up to 200 meters, including Severn Traverse (HVS), but Cloggy remains the massif's premier venue for serious alpine-style leads.

Snowdon Mountain Railway

The Snowdon Mountain Railway is a narrow-gauge rack-and-pinion tourist railway that ascends from Llanberis to the summit of Snowdon, Yr Wyddfa, in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. Spanning 4.7 miles (7.6 km), it climbs from 110 metres (360 ft) above sea level to 1,085 metres (3,560 ft), the highest point in Wales and England. The line uses a single track with three passing loops at Hebron, Halfway, and Clogwyn stations to manage bidirectional traffic. A railway to Snowdon's summit was first proposed in 1869 by Sir Richard Moon, chairman of the London & North Western Railway. The Snowdon Mountain Tramroad and Hotels Company Ltd formed in 1894 to develop the project, with construction commencing in December 1894 after the first sod was cut by Enid Assheton-Smith. Employing 150 workers, the line was completed by February 1896 at a cost of £63,800 (equivalent to over £10 million in 2023 terms), involving the laying of 8 km of track. Public operations began on 6 April 1896, , initially with . The railway employs the Abt rack system, patented in 1885 by Swiss engineer Roman Abt, featuring dual toothed racks offset by one tooth between the running rails for enhanced grip and derailment prevention. Built to an 800 mm (2 ft 7½ in) gauge, it reaches a maximum gradient of 1 in 5.5, with trains averaging 5 mph (8 km/h). Originally equipped with five steam locomotives manufactured by the in between 1895 and 1896—named L.A.D.A.S., Enid, Wyddfa, Snowdon, and —the fleet now includes three preserved coal-fired steam engines and four diesel locomotives built by in from 1986 to 1992. Steam services operate seasonally from to , weather permitting, while diesel trains provide year-round access to intermediate stations like Clogwyn when summit conditions prohibit full ascents. A round trip to the summit takes approximately 2.5 hours, including a 30-minute stop at the Hafod Eryri visitor centre.

Summit and Infrastructure

Summit Features and Facilities

The summit of Yr Wyddfa, at 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) above , features a rocky plateau exposed to conditions, including high winds and frequent low visibility. The highest point is marked by an Ordnance Survey trig pillar, with nearby paths and steps facilitating access amid the craggy terrain. Hafod Eryri, the UK's highest visitor centre opened in June 2009, is an award-winning structure integrated into the summit ridge to reduce visual impact, lacking mains or electricity—relying instead on transported by and harvested from the roof. It provides shelter, a café offering hot and cold snacks such as Welsh pasties and cakes alongside drinks (including alcoholic options), a with souvenirs unique to the site, public toilets, and information panels including path maps. The centre operates daily from 10:00 am when the reaches the summit, closing 20 minutes before the last departs, subject to weather conditions. The terminus, operational since 1896, serves as the upper station for narrow-gauge rack trains, enabling seasonal access for passengers during favourable weather, with panoramic views extending to on clear days from the summit area.

Visitor Amenities and Management

Hafod Eryri, the summit visitor centre opened in 2009, serves as the primary amenity for those reaching Snowdon's peak, offering a café with hot and cold drinks, snacks including Welsh pasties and freshly baked cakes, and a shop stocked with souvenirs, clothing, and gifts related to Yr Wyddfa and the . Toilets and information panels providing details on the mountain's features and safety are also available within the facility, though access is limited when the centre is closed due to weather. At lower elevations, amenities are more basic; at the mountain's base features public toilets, parking areas, and facilities tied to the railway station, while sites like Pen y Pass offer limited rest areas but no extensive services. Visitor management on Snowdon is overseen by the Eryri Authority to address , which peaks in summer with thousands ascending daily, leading to congestion akin to urban rush hours. Key measures include mandatory pre-booking for parking at high-demand lots such as Pen y Pass, introduced to curb illegal parking and traffic bottlenecks, with expanded requirements starting November 2, 2025. The authority deploys volunteer wardens for on-site guidance, a mobile information van for real-time advice, and visitor monitoring systems to track usage patterns and direct maintenance resources to popular routes. Sustainable practices are promoted through campaigns encouraging over private vehicles, reducing environmental strain from the estimated 500,000 annual climbers. Safety guidelines emphasize preparation, including proper footwear, charged phones, and weather checks, amid challenges like queues and path from heavy . Proposals for a visitor levy to fund management have been discussed by local councils but face legal hurdles and remain unimplemented as of 2025.

Cultural Representations

In Welsh Literature and Folklore

In Welsh folklore, the summit of Yr Wyddfa, known as Snowdon, derives its name from the legend of Rhita Gawr, a formidable giant said to have ruled the region and constructed a cloak from the beards of defeated kings. According to the tale, Rhita challenged King Arthur after intervening in quarrels among southern rulers, leading to a fierce battle where Arthur slew the giant atop the mountain. Arthur and his knights then piled stones over Rhita's body, forming a cairn that became known as Gwyddfa Rhita or "Rhitta's Tomb," eventually shortened to Yr Wyddfa, meaning "the tumulus." This Arthurian-associated underscores Yr Wyddfa's portrayal as a site of heroic confrontation and monumental burial in oral traditions preserved in Welsh . The giant's defeat symbolizes the triumph of order over chaos, with the mountain's enduring serving as a physical emblem of the event, though the legend likely amalgamates pre-Christian motifs with later medieval embellishments. In Welsh literature, Yr Wyddfa features as a locus of poetic inspiration, with medieval and early modern bards ascending its heights to invoke the amid Eryri's sublime landscapes. Welsh poets, viewing the peak as nearer to —where Welsh is deemed the "language of heaven"—composed verses celebrating its majesty, as seen in the works of figures like Talhaiarn (John Jones, 1810–1869), who climbed Snowdon in 1848 and inscribed poems in visitors' books. Such ascents echoed a tradition of Carreg y Bardd (the Poet's Stone), a site invoked by climbers for creative reflection, though documented mentions remain sparse before the 19th century. Snowdon has been a prominent subject in British visual arts, particularly during the Romantic period, when its dramatic peaks symbolized sublime natural power. depicted the mountain in his 1787 oil painting Snowdon from , capturing its rugged form amid misty valleys to evoke the awe of Welsh landscapes. J.M.W. Turner's watercolour Mount Snowdon, Afterglow (circa 1800) portrays the mountain's glowing silhouette against twilight skies, emphasizing atmospheric effects and the interplay of light on its slopes. Similarly, William Henry Hunt's 1842 watercolour Snowdon, after an April Hailstorm (also titled Snowdon through Clearing Clouds) highlights the mountain's post-storm clarity, showcasing Victorian precision in landscape depiction. These works reflect artists' fascination with Snowdon's accessibility and visual grandeur, drawing tourists and elevating its status in artistic representations of Britain. In literature, Snowdon features in as a site of epiphany and introspection. recounts a nocturnal ascent in Book 13 of (composed 1805, revised 1850), describing a moment atop the where a "sea" of mist and clouds parts to reveal moonlit tranquility, symbolizing imaginative insight amid nature's vastness: "It was a spectacle on which the soul / Looked with a steady and self-satisfying gaze." This episode underscores Snowdon's role in Wordsworth's of the sublime, blending personal experience with universal themes of elevation and revelation. The mountain also appears in broader Romantic travel writing, where ascents served as metaphors for transcending mundane perception, influencing later Victorian accounts of Welsh . Snowdon and its environs have served as filming locations in cinema and television, leveraging the massif's stark ridges for action sequences and dramatic backdrops. In the 1999 James Bond film The World Is Not Enough, Cwm Dyli valley beneath Snowdon's eastern flanks doubled as a Kazakhstani pipeline route, with aerial shots of the peaks enhancing the high-stakes pursuit. Llyn Gwynant, nestled below the mountain's southern slopes, featured in the 2013 reboot Tomb Raider, providing a serene yet perilous setting for survival scenes amid its glacial waters. The 1968 comedy Carry On Up the Khyber used Watkin Path below Snowdon's summit to mimic Himalayan terrain, satirizing colonial adventures through exaggerated Welsh ruggedness. On television, Bear Grylls: Survival School (2017) utilized Snowdonia's trails for youth adventure challenges, highlighting the mountain's role in modern outdoor media narratives. These portrayals often prioritize Snowdon's photogenic isolation, though they occasionally romanticize risks associated with its terrain.

Human Impacts and Challenges

Tourism Economics and Benefits

Snowdon attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, primarily via routes and the , generating substantial economic activity in and the broader Eryri region. In 2022, counters at the starts of the six main paths recorded 543,541 one-way ascents, reflecting a recovery to near pre-pandemic levels following a low of 329,271 in 2020 and a peak of 587,864 in 2019. These visitors, drawn to the mountain's status as Wales's highest peak, expend funds on lodging, meals, equipment rentals, and guided services in nearby villages such as and Pen-y-Pass, directly supporting small businesses and seasonal employment. The enhances accessibility and extends economic reach by carrying passengers—predominantly non-hikers, families, and international tourists—to the during its operational season from to . Operational investments, including over £1 million in eco-friendly hybrid locomotives in , underscore the railway's role in sustaining tourism infrastructure and mitigating revenue losses from disruptions like weather or maintenance. By enabling summit visits without physical exertion, it broadens the visitor base, amplifying downstream spending in the local for fuel, repairs, and hospitality. Tourism centered on Snowdon underpins the Eryri National Park's economy, where it constitutes the dominant employment sector amid limited alternative industries. The park logs approximately 10.5 million visitor nights yearly, with Snowdon as the flagship draw fostering ancillary revenue from adventure operators, cafes, and transport providers. Estimates attribute around £70 million in annual economic input to the area from such activities, preserving rural viability against depopulation trends and funding community initiatives like the Eryri Ambassador Scheme, which engages over 700 locals in visitor management. This influx sustains jobs in guiding, maintenance, and retail, while volunteer programs—such as 36 wardens contributing 1,600 hours on Snowdon paths—leverage tourism to offset conservation costs without direct taxation.

Environmental Effects and Criticisms

Increased visitor numbers to Snowdon have caused extensive footpath , particularly on routes such as the Watkin Path in Cwm Llan and the slopes of Y Garn, resulting in braided paths and soil exposure that degrade fragile upland habitats. Surveys commissioned by Natural Resources and the Eryri Authority documented this as a direct consequence of concentrated walker traffic during peak seasons, exacerbating in areas with sensitive geological features. Tourism-related disturbances have also led to declines in bird populations, with a 2022 survey revealing reduced abundance and diversity of breeding birds across Snowdonia's uplands, attributed to human activity such as walking and associated . Specific sites near Snowdon showed fewer and lower numbers compared to pre-pandemic baselines, linking the effects to visitor influx rather than climatic factors alone. Littering and improper waste disposal remain concerns, though efforts reduced visible trash in 2022 after a 2021 spike; single-use plastics, including bottles, constitute a significant portion of collected waste, contributing to long-term pollution. Microplastics have been detected in soil samples along the Llanberis Path, indicating persistent contamination from visitor activities. Careless wild camping, including barbecues leaving scorch marks and abandoned tents, further damages vegetation and soil. Criticisms from groups like the Snowdonia Society highlight overtourism's strain, with surges in UK-based visitors post-2020 causing not only but also infrastructure overload, such as 45-minute summit queues and heightened mountain rescue callouts (38 in August 2021 versus 21 in 2019). Some path resurfacing initiatives, like graveling sections, have faced backlash as "environmental vandalism" for altering natural surfaces. While the Snowdon Mountain Railway's shift to hybrid locomotives in recent years has lowered emissions, critics argue that overall visitor volumes—facilitated by such access—amplify cumulative impacts without sufficient mitigation.

Conservation Efforts and Policies

The Eryri National Park Authority oversees conservation policies for Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), fulfilling statutory duties to protect its natural beauty, , and cultural heritage amid pressures from over 600,000 annual visitors. The Eryri Nature Recovery Action Plan (NRAP), a key policy framework, prioritizes habitat restoration, species protection, and resilience-building through monitoring, public awareness, and collaborative management to counter degradation from trampling and erosion on public rights of way. Efforts target rare alpine species, such as the Snowdon lily (Gagea serotina), confined to Snowdon's rocky slopes and heathlands, with protections including grazing reductions that have doubled populations of vulnerable plants in managed areas. Designated sites on the mountain receive legal safeguards under the 2025 Cynllun Yr Wyddfa management plan for their unique ecological communities, emphasizing habitat-specific interventions like removal and controlled access. Path erosion, exacerbated by foot traffic, is addressed through ongoing repairs and maintenance programs led by the Snowdonia Society in partnership with volunteers via initiatives like Caru Eryri, which include drainage improvements and resurfacing to stabilize soils and minimize habitat loss. In 2017, the National Trust launched a £250,000 appeal for Snowdonia path restorations to combat widespread erosion from increased hiking. Broader measures, such as the £7 million Celtic Rainforest restoration project, incorporate grazing management and invasive control applicable to Snowdon's fringes, enhancing overall biodiversity. Sustainable tourism policies under the Eryri Partnership Plan integrate visitor management, including promotion of low-impact routes and litter reduction campaigns, to balance access with ecological integrity, with monitoring informing adaptive strategies.

Safety Records and Incidents

Snowdon, the highest peak in , records an average of eight fatalities annually, making it the deadliest mountain in by absolute numbers, though this reflects its high visitor volume of approximately 600,000 ascents per year rather than disproportionate risk per participant. These deaths predominantly result from falls on steep terrain, from sudden weather changes, and cardiovascular events exacerbated by altitude and exertion, often linked to inexperienced or ill-prepared walkers underestimating the mountain's challenges. The broader Snowdon range, including routes like and the Snowdon Horseshoe, sees 8 to 12 fatalities yearly across its approaches and ridges. Mountain rescue operations in the area are frequent, with the Mountain Rescue Team—the busiest in the UK—handling over 200 incidents in 2019, including slips on wet , exhaustion, and navigational errors in poor . National Park as a whole averages around 200 rescue call-outs per year, many concentrated on Snowdon's popular paths such as the Pyg Track, Miners' Track, and Llanberis Path, where overcrowding and rapid weather deterioration amplify hazards. In 2012, the Snowdon Ranger team alone responded to 48 incidents by mid-year, underscoring seasonal peaks during summer when visitor numbers surge. Notable accident blackspots include , a grade-1 scramble with 1 to 3 deaths annually from exposure or falls during traversal or descent, and Clogwyn Coch—derogatorily termed the "Killer Convex"—where convex slopes cause runners or scramblers to lose control and plummet. Other high-risk zones encompass the Watkin Path's loose and the summit plateau's cornices in winter, where disorientation in whiteouts has led to multiple fatalities; for instance, recent cases involved solo walkers slipping on grass or iced rock near Glyder Fach approaches, though directly attributable to Snowdon's flanks. Rescue data indicate that most incidents are preventable through route awareness, weather checks, and gear like helmets and ice axes, yet lapses in judgment persist among the majority of casualties who are recreational day-trippers rather than technical climbers.

References

  1. https://www.visitwales.com/things-do/adventure-and-activities/walking/walking-snowdon-wales-highest-mountain
  2. https://eryri.gov.wales/visit/snowdon/
  3. https://www.snowdoniacentral.co.uk/snowdon-facts
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