Rise to Eryri’s awesome summits – Snowdonia Way Mountain Route

Eryri is a truly ancient land of dramatic mountain ranges, exquisite valleys, sparkling llyns and magnificent wildlife. Its dynamic landscapes are the result of over 500 million years of geological upheaval that has seen mountains of Himalayan stature rise and fall. What remains is one of Britain’s most celebrated mountain regions, which was given national park status in 1951 and named Snowdonia.

Today, Snowdonia also goes by its Welsh name, Eryri (pronounced Eh-ruh-ree), which many believe to have originated from the Latin ‘oriri’, meaning ‘to rise’. This is fitting for a land that’s dominated by tremendous peaks that rise above its wild, sprawling moorland. I’d say it also describes the uplifting experience of hiking its mountains and the sense of elevated consciousness that comes with it.

Snaking through Eryri, from the great Afon Dyfi in the south to the Irish Sea in the north, is the Snowdonia Way long-distance trail. Launched in 2017, the Way is not one, but two distinct routes: the main, low-level route and the challenging Mountain Route.

This Collection follows the Mountain Route’s nine stages, as it traverses many of the finest ranges in the national park over its 122-mile (196 km) course. On its way between the historic towns of Machynlleth and Conwy, it visits many panoramic summits, including iconic giants like Cadair Idris, Glyder Fawr and, of course, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) itself.

It’s a journey that reveals new perspectives of Eryri, from the silent trails in the unfrequented south to the poignant ruins of the mostly abandoned slate industry. Cherish encounters with wildlife, whether it’s mountain ponies in the Carneddau, ravens circling above gnarly ridges or a rare glimpse of a stoat darting between the rocks. The high places are home to some stunning alpine flowers too, such as the rare Snowdon lily.

The Mountain Route is a very challenging yet rewarding undertaking, involving nine strenuous days out on the hills and requiring a good level of hillwalking experience. As it shares many of the same overnight stops as the low-level Snowdonia Way, there’s always the option to alternate between the two, depending on how you’re feeling on any given day. The towns and villages visited along the way are fascinating places and there’s often plenty to do if you fancy a rest day to break things up a bit.

North Wales is notorious for its inclement weather, so warm layers and waterproofs are essential, as is suncream when the sun does decide to show itself. Under winter conditions, much of this route becomes the preserve of equipped and experienced mountaineers only. During the off-season, many of the amenities en route are closed, too, including some transport links. With this in mind, spring through to autumn is the best time to attempt the route.

Every stage ends in a village or town with accommodation options, though these can be scarce, so advance booking is vital. There’s usually somewhere to eat and resupply too, but don’t take it as a given. See the Tour descriptions for precise details.

Getting to the route by public transport is relatively easy. Both Machynlleth and Conwy have train stations, while accessing many of the stages is possible by bus. Otherwise, there are local taxi services you can make use of. If arriving by car, you can get back to Machynlleth from Conwy by taking a train and changing at Shrewsbury.

For the Collection following the main, low-level Snowdonia Way, see: komoot.com/collection/2350242