Organised Events on Yr Wyddfa
The following relates specifically to Organised Events on Yr Wyddfa.
All routes to Yr Wyddfa’s summit are challenging mountain hikes.
Even the paths sometimes described as “easier” are still tough and should not be underestimated. You should be confident in your fitness and mountain skills before setting out. Eryri National Park grades all routes to the summit as “Hard / Strenuous.” Your participants should be suitably equipped and provisioned for a full mountain day and no less. Kindly visit the recommended links below for further information.
- Any large events on Yr Wyddfa should consider ascending and descending the mountain using the Llanberis Path. For other routes see full details on the links below:
Out of season (late Oct to May), there are no facilities available on the summit of Yr Wyddfa but please note that even in the summer months the café and railway service may be closed due to poor weather so never assume that this facility will be available at all times. So plan and make allowances for this and encourage people to use toilet facilities before you set off and carry adequate provisions for food and drink and additional clothing.
In the event of some participants being tired do not assume that train is available to descend from the summit. All trains are usually booked as returns and no seats will be available.
For those activities planned for the night-time such as, walking or cycling there are no facilities available between 6pm and 9am even in the summer months. The small café half way up the Llanberis Path offers limited food and drink during the day only. This means no indoor shelter, no cafe and importantly no toilets.
For those events using the Llanberis path for night-time activities then this means you will need to walk through residential areas. Please respect local communities and keep noise and lights to a minimum at night and also when returning early morning. Do not attempt to use those residential areas as parking or drop off points – this is highly disruptive to local residents. Please arrange drop-offs on the main road (A4096) at a suitable and safe location.
*Do not allow or encourage any participants to walk up or down any part of the Yr Wyddfa Mountain Railway line or beneath it especially near the summit at any time of the year. This is illegal and dangerous.
Parking & Sustainable Transport
The National Park Authority encourages event organisers to consider sustainable transport and to use the Sherpa Bus service mini buses, buses and consider car sharing for groups rather than participants arriving in individual vehicles.
The Sherpa Bus service runs from Llanberis to Pen y Pass via Nant Peris and is highly recommended for smaller groups as an alternative to parking in Pen Y Pass. The Sherpa picks up passengers from Llanberis and Nant Peris on its way to Pen y Pass.
Please note that Pen y Pass operates as a pre-book only between April and November (exact dates change annually so check before hand).
Pre-booking is not possible at any of the other car parks including, Cwellyn/Snowdon Ranger, Rhyd Ddu, Nant Peris and Pont Bethania.
Drop-offs are permitted at Pen y Pass, offering a convenient option during busier times.
However, space is very limited, especially during the day in areas where Sherpa buses, large coaches, minibuses, and taxis need to turn around. To help prevent congestion, be ready to exit the vehicle promptly upon arrival. Have your bags packed, your hiking boots on and laced, and be fully prepared to start your walk before reaching Pen y Pass. Please note that National Park staff may ask your driver to move on, if necessary, to avoid blocking the road and to keep traffic flowing.
Parking on the road leading to Pen y Pass from both directions is strictly prohibited and actively monitored by police. Cars have been towed from this area in the past for obstructing traffic and creating a hazard to other road users, so please avoid parking here.
Please note: the maximum vehicle length permitted in the car park is 5 metres.
Yr Wyddfa Voluntary Cycling Agreement
Event organisers and participants should be aware that the Llanberis track is a bridleway and therefore is available to cyclists, walkers and horse riders. However, this route is subject to a seasonal voluntary cycle access agreement restrictions and is not available to cyclists between 10 am and 5pm between 1st May and the 30th September. More information can be found on the National Park website link below.
Note* Pedestrians and horse riders always have priority on any bridleways so by law cyclists must
give way to them at all times (as prescribed by Sect. 30 of the Countryside Act 1968).
The Miners track is available to cyclists only as far as the old mill near the Llyn Llydaw causeway (SH629545) and no further at any time.