Discover the sweeping ridges, tranquil valleys, and dramatic peaks of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, the heart of Welsh mountain adventure and one of Britain’s finest walking destinations. From the iconic Snowdon Horseshoe and airy Bristly Ridge to the rugged wilderness of the Rhinogs and the grassy plateaux of the Carneddau, each route offers the promise of exploration amid breathtaking scenery.

Ideal for walkers seeking longer low-level trails to experienced hikers ready for demanding days and airy scrambles, this definitive Cicerone guidebook presents 40 graded mountain walks across every corner of Snowdonia National Park. Routes range from easy strolls to strenuous ridge walks, with most falling into the moderate and strenuous categories. Four routes include low-grade scrambling for those ready to push their skills a little further.

• Explore the diverse mountain regions of Eryri, including the Carneddau, Glyderau, Snowdon, Eifionydd, Moelwyns, Rhinogs, Cadair Idris, Betws-y-Coed and Dolgellau, each offering unique perspectives and character.
• Features all the classic walks of Snowdonia National Park, Snowdon, Tryfan, Y Garn, Cadair Idris, The Rhinogs, and celebrated routes such as the Snowdon Horseshoe, Crib Goch, Bristly Ridge, and the traverse of all 15 of Snowdonia’s 3000ft peaks.
• Includes 1:50,000 OS mapping for every walk and a handy summary table, ensuring straightforward navigation and helping you select the perfect route by distance, ascent, grade, and walking time.
• Practical advice covers access, parking, public transport, travel and transport options, accommodation, the best times of year to visit, and essential equipment, giving you the confidence to plan every detail of your adventure in Eryri.
• Each route is accompanied by at-a-glance information on start/finish points, distance (in km and miles), total ascent (in metres and feet), estimated time, grade, terrain summary, and key logistical details.
• Additional features include insights into Snowdonia’s geology, history, and wildlife, plus a Welsh–English glossary to enrich your experience of the land and its culture.
• Walks are suitable year-round, with clear notes on weather and conditions, and scrambles are graded for difficulty and exposure, ensuring you can choose the right level of challenge.

Plan your mountain walking adventure in Snowdonia with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook, and discover the wide variety, wild beauty, and unique spirit of Wales’s most celebrated national park.

Mountain Walking in Snowdonia – Quick Facts

Location: Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park, North Wales
Number of routes: 40 (38 day walks plus a two-day traverse of the Welsh 3000s)
Duration: Walks range from 2 to 7 hours; the Welsh 3000s traverse spans 2 demanding days
Regions covered: Carneddau, Glyderau, Snowdon, Eifionydd, Moelwyns, Rhinogs, Cadair Idris, Betws-y-Coed, Bala, Dolgellau, the South
Route type: Mountain walks and low-grade scrambles, from gentle riverside strolls to classic ridge traverses and airy ascents
Difficulty: Graded easy, moderate, strenuous; four routes involve Grade 1 scrambling—suitable for walkers seeking a varied challenge
Terrain: Dramatic peaks, grassy plateaux, rugged ridges, sheltered valleys, forest and riverside paths
Navigation: 1:50,000 OS maps, clear route summaries, terrain and access notes for each walk
Best season: Spring and early summer (April–July) for the driest weather; September and October offer spectacular days
Highlights: Iconic routes including the Snowdon Horseshoe, Crib Goch, Bristly Ridge, Tryfan, Y Garn, Cadair Idris, and the full traverse of all 15 Welsh 3000ft peaks
Equipment: Sturdy walking boots, weatherproof clothing, and basic mountaincraft recommended
Accommodation: Hostels, bunkhouses, campsites, guesthouses, and hotels throughout Snowdonia’s towns and villages

Author Highlight

"Snowdonia can justifiably lay claim to the finest mountain walking in Britain. That’s a bold statement to make but the only serious challengers are the Scottish Highlands and the English Lake District and this magical, mystical corner of Wales contrives to combine the best features of both." 

- Terry Fletcher, author of Mountain Walking in Snowdonia

Map key

Overview map

Introduction

Geology

History

Wildlife

Getting there

Getting around

Where to stay

When to go

Equipment

Mountain rescue

Using this guide

Place names

The Carneddau

Walk 1    Tal y Fan

Walk 2    Aber Falls and the Northern Carneddau

Walk 3    Cwm Eigiau Horseshoe

Walk 4    The Southern Carneddau

Walk 5    Cwm Llafar Horseshoe

The Glyderau

Walk 6    Gallt yr Ogof and Y Foel Goch

Walk 7    Glyderau from Pen-y-Gwryd

Walk 8    Tryfan by the North Ridge and Heather Terrace

Walk 9    Tryfan Without Fears

Walk 10    Cwm Bochlwyd and Glyder Fach

Walk 11    Y Garn and the Devil’s Kitchen

Walk 12    Elidir Fawr and Y Garn

Betws-y-Coed

Walk 13    Llyn Crafnant and Llyn Geirionydd

Walk 14    Llyn y Parc and Conwy View

Snowdon

Walk 15    Moel Eilio Horseshoe

Walk 16    Snowdon Horseshoe

Walk 17    Snowdon via Miners’ Track and PyG Track

Walk 18    Lliwedd via Miners’ Track and Y Gribin

Walk 19    Snowdon via the Watkin and the Rhyd Dhu Paths

Walk 20    Yr Aran

Eifionedd

Walk 21    Cwm Pennant and the Moel Hebog Ridge

Walk 22    Mynydd Mawr

Walk 23    Nantlle Ridge

Siabod and the Moelwyns

Walk 24    Moel Siabod

Walk 25    Aberglaslyn Gorge and Llyn Dinas

Walk 26    Cnicht and Cwm Croesor

Walk 27    The Moelwyns

The Rhinogs

Walk 28    Rhinog Fawr by the Roman Steps

Walk 29    Rhinog Fach and Y Llethr

Dolgellau, Cadair Idris and the South

Walk 30    Precipice Walk, Dolgellau

Walk 31    Cadair Idris by the Pony Path

Walk 32    Cadair Idris from Minffordd

Walk 33    The Dolgoch Falls and Tarrenhendre

Bala

Walk 34    Rhobell Fawr

Walk 35    Cwm Cywarch Horseshoe and Aran Fawddwy

Walk 36    Traverse of the Aran Ridge

Walk 37    Arenig Fawr and Moel Llyfnant

Walk 38    Cadair Berwyn and Pistyll Rhaeadr

The Welsh 3000s

Day 1    Snowdon and the Glyderau

Day 2    Carneddau

Appendix A    Route summary table

Appendix B    Welsh/English glossary

Appendix C    Useful contacts

Seasons

Snowdonia is a year-round walking destination.

Centres

Ogwen, Betws y Coed, Capel Curig, Llanberis, Harlech, Dolgellau, Bethesda, Beddgelert and Bala areas as well as coastal resorts of North and West Wales.

Difficulty

Walks range from easy low level walks to Grade 1 scrambles to the summits of Wales and England's highest mountains. There are riverside and forest walks for rest days or when the weather on the tops gets too fierce.

Must See

Snowdon, including the Snowdon Horseshoe, the Glyderau, Carneddau, Cadair Idris, Rhinogs, Arans, Nantlle Ridge, Cwm Pennant, Moelwyns, Arenigs. Tour of the Welsh 3000s.

September 2021

Walk 15 (Moel Eilio Horseshoe)

October 2019

Walk 16 Snowdon Horseshoe and Walk 19 Snowdon by the Watkin Path

August 2018

Route updates and corrections

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