The train would be a last resort, or maybe just for getting back down. The Mrs. is determined we’ll hike up. A bit unfair perhaps, as while I’m sitting at a desk all week she is out with her friends hiking the Appalachian Trail through the Bald Mountains in Tennessee.
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I’ve been up several times but not by every possible route (there are several main paths). The Llanberis Path is the longest but less steep (that’s not to say it’s not steep at all - the second half has a couple of gruesome bits!) and is probably the busiest path.
I’ve also been up via the Miner’s Track and the PyG Track - both technically shorter than the Llanberis Path and both of these involve even steeper sections but they do take you past wonderful lakes.
I’ve been about halfway up the others - the Rhyd Ddu, Watkin and Snowdon Ranger paths. Again, shorter and steeper than the Llanberis Path.
The other option of course, as I’ve just noticed Aran beat me to saying, is the train. 
Whichever walking option, experienced walkers would enjoy any of the paths with the proper gear - the weather at the bottom is almost always different to the weather at the top! 
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Siaron, my thanks. I’ve been kind of leaning toward the Miner’s Track/Pyg Track option from the things I’ve read so far. We don’t mind a bit of steep, and my wife has been saying that she doesn’t think any of the routes will be too difficult compared to the mountains she has already climed in New England. Of course, I have not yet seen those mountains and have only those in Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia for comparison. I guess we’ll see. Thanks again.
Just something to bear in mind - if you did use the train for getting back down but didn’t go up via the Llanberis Path, you may want to carefully plan your transport to the start of whichever other path you chose - wouldn’t want you to find out you were in Llanberis whilst your vehicle was somewhere the other side of the mountain!
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Syniad da. Diolch.
I’ve been up Snowdon a few times, and always suggest the Pyg track to anyone who hasn’t climbed it before. It has a more steady gradient than the Miners track, without being as long as the Llanberris path.
If you do have a car, for the Pyg track, you can park at Pen-Y-Pass which feels as though you are half way up already. But that does cost £10 for the day, and you’ll need to arrive early in the morning to get a space. Alternatively there is a park and ride scheme from further down the valley towards Llanberris.
Crib Goch is an option if you take the Pyg Track, but this is for more experienced walkers only - Google it before you try it!
Rhyd Ddu path is a good option. It’s much quieter than nearly all the other paths, with good views all the way (weather dependent obviously!) and their is a handy car park at the bottom. There is also a train station for the Welsh Highland railway at the start and there should be a bus route too. If you do choose this path, bear in mind there may not be many people around to help you if the mist/clouds descend, and getting the train down will land you on the wrong side of the mountain!
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Thank you, Warren. Those are all good things to know, I think. Crib Goch…is it more difficult because of being steep or narrow or is it a scramble? Perhaps a combination?
Um… wild horses wouldn’t get me up Crib Goch… my brother likes it, but he’s a competitive climber…
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I’ve done Crib Goch - once, many years ago, and for me that was enough (I was even a member of a mountain rescue team at the time!) It’s a knife edge of a ridge. Very scary. Sadly, also an area of frequent rescue call-outs. In my opinion, only to be attempted by experienced mountain walkers with good kit, good head for heights and in best of weather conditions - but if those criteria are met, it can certainly be a stunning and exhilarating experience.
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Goodness! Imagine the weather closing in when you were up there …
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Wow!!
I got dizzy just watching that!! I have never been able to manage with thin air on both sides!! On little Gower cliffs, on one narrow bit, I always put my back against the highest side and crabbed along! Mind, my ‘brother’ took one look and told me we’d have to go back the way we came, as there was noway he was ‘going up there’! I felt quite brave after that!! And had to be brave as going back involved having my right hand side to the sheer drop and I prefer my left to be there!
That video must have been in high summer! At that height, most of the year, the Vladimir Putin look would lead to frost bite, surely?!!
Edit: Just watched a bit of @mikeellwood’s post, which comes next. I had to give up watching!!
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Apparently, it gets worse …
Edit: But for a slightly more optimistic view, check out “Brave Dave’s” videos. Amazing!
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Even more terrifying than the man walking the ridge is knowing that the person behind is doing it while holding a camera! Eek!!
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I think I’ll let my wife have a look at that. She traversed something like it, I believe, called the Knife Edge at the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. I’m not sure how this compares, thought the pictures and videos she brought back look rather similar. I do know it looks narrower and more sheer than anything I’ve been on be before. That lad is really moving too. Thanks, Siaron.
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Oh mercy, that looks even worse than the other one.
Terribly beautiful it is nonetheless.
Really and truly and terribly beautiful. I felt a bit ill watching that second video. I think I’d be a candidate for the train 
Indeed - but remember, on a good day, all the paths have stunning views, so you don’t have to do Crib Goch! 
When are you planning to be here? Just a thought, but in case it affects any plans, the International Snowdon Race 2016 takes place on July 16th. This involves hundreds of athletes running up and down Snowdon (and they use the Llanberis path). It’s a great atmosphere in the village but it does mean the area is rather busy (parking can be a nightmare!). The start points at other paths will be quieter of course, but the village and the summit are busier than usual!
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We were there last year because my brother-in-law was running - brilliant fun. But traffic wardens have a field day - they must make a fortune!
yes, the traffic wardens are usually out in force on race days and it’s a bit of a bug-bear for the organisers but they can’t do anything about it. I work with the TV crew on the coverage, so I always make sure I’m there early to get a legal space!
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