Yr Wyddfa, known in English as Snowdon, is the highest mountain in Wales, rising to 1,085 metres (3,560 feet) at the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park in North Wales. It is also the highest point in the British Isles south of the Scottish Highlands. Crowned by a summit cairn and ringed by glacier-carved ridges and dark mountain lakes, it is one of the most loved and most climbed mountains in Britain, and a landscape that has drawn walkers, writers and artists for generations.
Where is Yr Wyddfa, and how high is it?
Yr Wyddfa stands in Eryri, the national park in the north-west of Wales more widely known in English as Snowdonia. The mountain gives its name to the surrounding massif, a cluster of high ground that gathers the bulk of Wales' tallest peaks into one compact, dramatic region. From the summit on a clear day the view reaches out across the ridges of Eryri to the sea, the Llyn Peninsula and, on the finest days, far beyond.
At 1,085 metres, Yr Wyddfa is not high by Alpine standards, but its setting gives it real mountain character. Steep crags fall away from the summit ridges, deep cwms (valley hollows) cradle still lakes such as Llyn Llydaw and Glaslyn, and the weather can change quickly, turning a gentle walk into a serious outing. It is a true mountain, not merely a tall hill, and it rewards anyone who treats it with respect.
What does the name Yr Wyddfa mean?
Yr Wyddfa is the mountain's Welsh name, and it is the name increasingly used on signs and maps across the region. It is often understood to refer to a tomb or burial mound, tied to old legend, which gives the peak a sense of deep history long before the first paths were marked. The English name Snowdon comes from a much older description of the high ground as snow-topped. Whichever name you use, you are talking about the same singular summit at the centre of Eryri.
The popular paths up Yr Wyddfa
There are six main walking routes to the summit, each with its own character. This is a general overview rather than a route description, so anyone planning to walk should consult an up-to-date guide, carry a map, and check the mountain forecast before setting out.
- Llanberis Path is the longest but gentlest of the routes, climbing steadily from the village of Llanberis on the northern side. It is the most popular way up and the kindest gradient for a first ascent.
- Pyg Track and the Miners' Track both begin at Pen-y-Pass and are often paired, giving walkers some of the finest views of the lakes and crags within the horseshoe of ridges.
- Snowdon Ranger and the Rhyd Ddu Path approach from the quieter western side, away from the busiest car parks.
- The Watkin Path rises from the south through woodland and waterfalls before a steep final pull to the ridge.
For experienced mountaineers, the famous Snowdon Horseshoe traverses the knife-edge ridge of Crib Goch and the peaks encircling the summit. It is a serious scramble in exposed terrain, and very different from the walking paths above.
Can you reach the summit without walking?
Yes. The Snowdon Mountain Railway, which first opened in 1896, climbs from Llanberis to a station near the summit, carrying visitors who would rather take in the views without the long ascent on foot. It is one of the reasons Yr Wyddfa is enjoyed by so many people of so many different abilities, from seasoned hillwalkers to families on a day out.
Why is Yr Wyddfa so loved?
Part of the appeal is simply that it is the highest ground in Wales, a natural goal and a rite of passage for walkers across Britain. But Yr Wyddfa is more than a number on a map. It sits at the centre of a landscape shaped by ice and weather over countless ages, where ridges and lakes and shifting light give the mountain a different face on every visit. It carries old stories in its Welsh name, it has inspired painters and poets, and it remains a working part of the living Welsh landscape rather than a museum piece.
That blend of grandeur, accessibility and deep cultural roots is exactly what we set out to capture in our Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) print, an original digital illustration of the mountain in its setting. If you are drawn to the high country of Eryri, you may also like our Cadair Idris print, a southern guardian of Snowdonia with its own commanding presence, and the wider collection of original British landscape prints celebrating the hills and landmarks of these islands.
Yr Wyddfa at a glance
- Nation: Wales
- Region: Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, North Wales
- Height: 1,085 metres (3,560 feet)
- Standing: Highest mountain in Wales, and the highest in the British Isles south of the Scottish Highlands
- Main walking routes: six, including the Llanberis Path, Pyg Track, Miners' Track and Watkin Path
- Step-free option: the Snowdon Mountain Railway from Llanberis
Frequently asked questions
Is Yr Wyddfa the highest mountain in Wales?
Yes. At 1,085 metres, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is the highest mountain in Wales. It is also the highest peak in the British Isles south of the Scottish Highlands, which is part of why it draws so many walkers each year.
Which is the easiest path up Yr Wyddfa?
The Llanberis Path is generally considered the easiest, as it climbs at the gentlest gradient, though it is also the longest. Whatever the route, the mountain demands proper footwear, suitable clothing and a check of the weather forecast, as conditions can change quickly at altitude.
Why is the Apollith Yr Wyddfa print an illustration rather than a photograph?
Our Yr Wyddfa print is an original digital illustration, drawn to bring out the form and atmosphere of the mountain rather than to record a single moment. It is printed on 225gsm matt photo paper in sizes from A4 to A1, available framed or print-only, with prices from £19. That lets us capture the mountain as a place you remember, not just a view you saw.
