Snowdon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SnowdonYr Wyddfa |
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The Snowdon group viewed from the north-east
left to right Y Lliwedd, Crib Goch, Yr Wyddfa (the summit), Garnedd Ugain |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,085 m (3,560 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,039 m (3,409 ft) Ranked joint 3rd in British Isles |
| Parent peak | Ben Nevis |
| Listing | Marilyn, Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall, Welsh 3000s, council top, Ribu |
| Naming | |
| Native name | Yr Wyddfa (Welsh) |
| Geography | |
 Snowdon
Yr Wyddfa Location in Gwynedd
Snowdon
Yr Wyddfa Location in the United Kingdom
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| Parent range | Snowdonia |
| OS grid | SH6098954379 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 115, Explorer OL17 |
| 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 | |
| Craig Wen | SH597508 | 605 m (1,985 ft) | sub-Hewitt | |
Snowdon (Welsh: Yr Wyddfa) is the tallest mountain in Wales. It stands at 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) (about 3,560 feet) above sea level. It is also the highest point in the British Isles outside of Scotland.
Snowdon is located in Snowdonia National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri) in Gwynedd. It is a very popular mountain, with over 590,000 walkers visiting in 2019. An extra 140,000 people took the train to the top. Snowdon is also a special national nature reserve because of its rare plants and animals.
The rocks that make up Snowdon were formed by volcanoes a very long time ago. Later, glaciers carved out the mountain's shape. This created the pointy top of Snowdon and the sharp ridges like Crib Goch and Y Lliwedd. The steep rock faces, like Clogwyn Du'r Arddu, are famous for rock climbing. Even Edmund Hillary trained here before he climbed Mount Everest in 1953.
You can reach the summit of Snowdon by walking one of its six main paths. You can also take the Snowdon Mountain Railway. This special train opened in 1896 and carries people from Llanberis to the top. The building at the summit, called Hafod Eryri, has a cafe. It is open when the railway is running, usually from May to October.
Snowdon is one of three mountains climbed in the National Three Peaks Challenge. It is also the highest point of the historic county of Caernarfonshire.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The English name "Snowdon" comes from old words meaning "snow hill." This makes sense because it often has snow on it!
The Welsh name, Yr Wyddfa, means "the tumulus" or "the barrow." This might refer to a pile of stones said to be the grave of a giant named Rhitta Gawr. Legend says that King Arthur defeated this giant. Snowdon is also linked to other Welsh legends, like a water monster called an Afanc and the Tylwyth Teg (fairies).
In 2021, there was a suggestion to only use the Welsh name Yr Wyddfa for the mountain. There was also a suggestion to call Snowdonia only Eryri. However, this idea was not approved because the National Park was already looking into how to keep Welsh names alive.
Snowdon's Natural World
How Snowdon Was Formed
In 1682, people thought Snowdon was about 3,720 feet (1,130 m) tall. Later, in 1773, a new estimate was 3,568 feet (1,088 m). For a long time, people believed it was the tallest mountain in Great Britain. But then, in the 1700s, measurements showed that Ben Nevis and other Scottish peaks were taller. Today, we know Snowdon is 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) (3,560 feet) high. This makes it the highest mountain in Wales. It is also the highest point in the British Isles outside of Scotland.
The rocks of Snowdon were formed during the Ordovician Period. Back then, most of Wales was under an ancient ocean. About 458 to 457 million years ago, a giant volcano erupted. It created thick layers of ash and rock. The top of Snowdon is near the edge of where this ancient volcano once was.
Snowdon and its nearby peaks look like "Alpine mountains." This means they have sharp, jagged shapes. These shapes were made by glaciers that carved out rounded valleys called cwms. The glaciers also created the famous sharp ridges of Crib Goch, Crib y Ddysgl, and Y Lliwedd. They also formed the pointy top of Snowdon itself. You can still see other signs of glaciers around Snowdon, like smooth rocks and piles of debris.
Snowdon's Weather
In winter, Snowdon often gets covered in snow, which is how it got its English name. The amount of snow changes each year. Snowdon's slopes are one of the wettest places in Great Britain. They get more than 5,100 mm (200 in) of rain or snow each year.
Plants and Animals on Snowdon
Snowdon is a national nature reserve because of its special environment and rare plants. Many plants that grow in Snowdonia are also found here. But Snowdon is also home to some plants that are very rare elsewhere in Britain. One example is the "Snowdon lily," Gagea serotina. This plant is also found in the Alps and North America. It was first found in Wales by Edward Lhuyd.
You might see otters, polecats, and wild goats near Snowdon. Birds like ravens, red-billed choughs, peregrine falcons, and red kites also live here.
Lakes of Snowdon
Several beautiful lakes are found in the valleys around Snowdon:
- Llyn Llydaw is 1,430 feet (440 m) high and 110 acres (45 ha) big. It is one of Snowdonia's deepest lakes, reaching 190 feet (58 m) deep. Its name might come from "ash" or "Brittany." There's an old causeway across the lake, built in 1853.
- Glaslyn is higher up than Llyn Llydaw, at 1,970 feet (600 m). It is 18 acres (7.3 ha) big and 127 feet (39 m) deep. People used to believe it was bottomless! Many myths are linked to this lake.
- Llyn Ffynnon-y-gwas is 1,430 feet (440 m) high and 10 acres (4.0 ha) big. It is along the Snowdon Ranger path. It used to be a reservoir for slate quarries.
Other smaller lakes include Llyn Du'r Arddu and Llyn Teyrn.
Fun Things to Do on Snowdon
Snowdon is known as "the busiest mountain in Britain." In 2019, almost 600,000 people walked up it. There are six main walking paths, and you can combine them in different ways. The "Snowdon Horseshoe" is a challenging circular walk. It uses the Crib Goch route and the route over Y Lliwedd. These routes involve some scrambling, which means using your hands to climb.
In winter, these paths become much more dangerous. The Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team warns that you need special skills and equipment. Many people have been hurt or worse trying to climb the mountain in bad conditions.
Snowdon offers amazing views. On very clear days, you can see Ireland, Scotland, England, and the Isle of Man. You can also see 24 counties, 29 lakes, and 17 islands! Sometimes, you can even see the mountains of the Peak District. The view between Snowdon and Merrick in southern Scotland is the longest possible line of sight in the British Isles, at 144 miles (232 kilometres).
On June 26, 2018, Sam Laming was the first person to do a "Proximity Flight" over a UK mountain. He flew about 30 meters over Snowdon's summit in a wingsuit, after jumping from a helicopter.
Rock Climbing on Snowdon
The Snowdon area has many steep cliffs. It is a very important place in the history of rock climbing in the United Kingdom. Clogwyn Du'r Arddu, often called 'Cloggy' by climbers, was where the first recorded climb in Britain happened in 1798. Two botanists, Peter Bailey Williams and William Bingley, climbed it while looking for rare plants. Today, it is one of the best climbing cliffs in Britain.
Y Lliwedd was also explored by early climbers. A climbing guide for it was published in 1909. As mentioned before, Edmund Hillary and his team used Snowdon to train for their successful climb of Mount Everest in 1953.
Walking Paths to the Summit
Legend
· grey: ridges
· red lines: paths
· orange lines: roads
· dotted grey line: Snowdon Mountain Railway
The first recorded climb of Snowdon was by a botanist named Thomas Johnson in 1639. However, there might have been earlier climbs. An old historian mentioned a celebration on the mountain after King Edward I took over Wales in 1284.
Google mapped the six main paths in 2015. Here are details about them:
Llanberis Path: The Longest Way Up
- Length: 6.8 km (4.2 mi)
- Elevation gain: 965 m (3,166 ft)
- Overall steepness: 1 in 7.1 (14.1%)
The Llanberis Path is the longest way to the top. It follows the railway line and is considered the easiest. This is the path used for the annual Snowdon Race. The record time for this race from start to summit is less than 40 minutes!
A part of this path near the summit can be dangerous in icy conditions. It is a curved slope that can cause walkers to slide towards cliffs. Four people died there in February 2009 due to these dangerous conditions.
Snowdon Ranger Path: An Old Route
- Length: 6.3 km (3.9 mi)
- Elevation gain: 935 m (3,068 ft)
- Overall steepness: 1 in 6.7 (14.9%)
The Snowdon Ranger Path (Welsh: Llwybr Cwellyn) starts near Llyn Cwellyn. It is thought to be the oldest path to the summit. The path zigzags up grassy slopes. Then it goes through a flatter, wet area before climbing steeply. It eventually meets the railway and other paths near the summit.
Rhyd Ddu Path: A Quieter Climb
- Length: 5.8 km (3.6 mi)
- Elevation gain: 905 m (2,969 ft)
- Overall steepness: 1 in 6.4 (15.7%)
The Rhyd Ddu path, also called the Beddgelert Path, starts from the village of Rhyd Ddu. It is considered one of the easier routes. You can see the summit from the very beginning of this path. It climbs gently at first, then gets steeper closer to the top. It joins the Watkin Path near the summit.
Watkin Path: The Toughest Start
- Length: 6.2 km (3.9 mi)
- Elevation gain: 1,025 m (3,363 ft)
- Overall steepness: 1 in 6.1 (16.5%)
The Watkin Path is the most challenging direct route to the summit. It starts at the lowest point of all the main paths and is the steepest. It was created by Sir Edward Watkin, a railway owner. It opened in 1892.
This path starts in a beautiful old forest. It then climbs past waterfalls and old slate quarries. You'll see Plas Cwmllan, an old quarry manager's home. Nearby is Gladstone Rock, where a former Prime Minister gave a speech in 1892. From the quarries, the path climbs to a pass called Bwlch Ciliau. Then it heads towards the summit, joining the Rhyd Ddu Path.
Over Y Lliwedd: A Descent Route
- Length: 6.4 km (4.0 mi)
The route over Y Lliwedd is usually used for going down the mountain, not up. It is the second part of the Snowdon Horseshoe walk. You reach it from the summit by following the Watkin Path down to Bwlch y Saethau. Then you continue along the ridge over the two tops of Y Lliwedd. The path then drops down to join the Miners' Track.
Miners' Track: A Popular Choice
- Length: 6.6 km (4.1 mi)
- Elevation gain: 726 m (2,382 ft)
- Overall steepness: 1 in 9.1 (10.9%)
The Miners' Track (Welsh: Llwybr y Mwynwyr) starts at the Pen-y-Pass car park. It has the gentlest overall slope and is the most popular route. It goes around Llyn Teyrn and crosses a causeway over Llyn Llydaw. It then climbs steeply to Glaslyn. From there, it goes up in zigzags, joining the Pyg Track. You will see old mine buildings along parts of this path.
Pyg Track: A Shorter, Steeper Way
- Length: 5.3 km (3.3 mi)
- Elevation gain: 726 m (2,382 ft)
- Overall steepness: 1 in 7.3 (13.7%)
The "Pyg Track" (Welsh: Llwybr Pyg) also starts from Pen-y-Pass. It climbs over a pass called Bwlch y Moch. Then it goes along the lower slopes of Crib Goch. Above Glaslyn, it joins the Miners' Track for the final zigzag climb to the summit ridge.
No one is completely sure why it's called the Pyg Track. It might be named after the pass it goes through, Bwlch y Moch (which means "Pigs' Pass"). Or maybe it was used to carry 'pyg' (black tar) to the copper mines. Another idea is that it was named after the nearby Pen y Gwryd Hotel, which was popular with early mountain walkers.
Crib Goch: A Challenging Ridge Walk
- Length: 5.0 km (3.1 mi)
The walk along Crib Goch is called "one of the finest ridge walks in Britain." It is part of the Snowdon Horseshoe. This path follows the Pyg Track for a bit, then splits off. It goes up the East ridge of Crib Goch. After the Crib Goch ridge, it goes down a little, then climbs to the peak of Garnedd Ugain (1,065 m (3,494 ft)). Then it drops to join the Llanberis path. All routes that go over Crib Goch are considered serious mountain climbs or scrambles.
Snowdon Mountain Railway
The Snowdon Mountain Railway (SMR) (Welsh: Rheilffordd yr Wyddfa) is a special train line. It uses a rack and pinion system to climb the mountain. It travels 4+3⁄4 miles (7.6 km) from Llanberis to the summit. It is the only public rack railway in the United Kingdom. It has been running for over 100 years and is still very popular. More than 130,000 people ride it every year.
The railway was built between December 1894 and February 1896. It cost about £63,800 back then.
The Summit Building: Hafod Eryri
| Hafod Eryri | |
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Hafod Eryri (2009)
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| General information | |
| Address | via Snowdon Mountain Railway, Llanberis, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 4TY |
| Coordinates | 53°04′08″N 4°04′32″W / 53.068865°N 4.075588°W |
| Elevation | 1,065 m (3,494 ft) |
| Opened | 12 June 2009 |
| Cost | £8.4m |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | Ray Hole Architects |
| Structural engineer | Arup |
| Main contractor | Carillion |
| Awards and prizes | RIBA Welsh Architecture Award 2010 |
The first building at Snowdon's summit was built in 1838 to sell food and drinks. In 1845, it was allowed to sell alcohol. There was also very basic lodging for visitors. When the Snowdon Mountain Railway opened in 1896, the company took over these buildings.
In the 1930s, people complained about the old buildings. So, a new station building was built in 1934-1935. It was designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and had rooms for visitors and a cafe. The old, messy buildings were cleared away. The flat roof was meant to be a viewing platform, but it leaked, so it wasn't used for that.
Over the years, this building became very run down. Prince Charles even called it "the highest slum in Wales." This led to a plan to replace it. In 2006, the old building was mostly torn down.
The new visitor centre, Hafod Eryri, cost £8.4 million. It was designed by Ray Hole Architects. It officially opened on June 12, 2009. The Welsh National Poet, Gwyn Thomas, wrote a special poem for the new building. It says: "Copa'r Wyddfa: yr ydych chwi, yma, Yn nes at y nefoedd / The summit of Snowdon: You are, here, nearer to Heaven." The name Hafod Eryri was chosen in a competition. Hafod means "upland summer home" in Welsh. Eryri is the Welsh name for Snowdonia.
Snowdon in Welsh Legends
In Welsh folklore, the top of Snowdon is said to be the tomb of Rhitta Gawr, a giant. This is why the Welsh name Yr Wyddfa means "the tumulus" (a burial mound). Rhitta Gawr wore a cloak made of men's beards. He was killed by King Arthur after trying to take Arthur's beard.
Other places on Snowdon are also linked to King Arthur. Bwlch y Saethau, a ridge between Snowdon and Y Lliwedd, is where Arthur is said to have died. A pile of stones called Carnedd Arthur used to be there. According to legend, Arthur told Bedivere to throw his sword Excalibur into Glaslyn. Then, Arthur's body was placed in a boat to be taken to Avalon. Arthur's men are said to be sleeping in a cave on Y Lliwedd, waiting until they are needed again. Merlin supposedly hid Britain's golden throne among the cliffs north of Crib y Ddysgl when the Saxons invaded.
Glaslyn was also the home of a water monster called an afanc. This monster caused trouble for people in the Conwy valley. They tricked the monster out of the water with a young girl. Then they chained it and dragged it to Glaslyn.
A large stone called Maen Du'r Arddu, below Clogwyn Du'r Arddu, is believed to have magical powers. Like other places in Wales, it is said that if two people spend the night there, one will become a great poet, and the other will become insane. Llyn Coch, another small lake, is linked to the Tylwyth Teg (fairies).
Images for kids
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Part of the queue for the summit pillar in August 2020
See also
In Spanish: Snowdon para niños
