How Difficult is the Watkin Path? See For Yourself

Here I explore the notorious top section of the Watkin Path, a spot where many hikers turn back, despite being so close to the summit of Snowdon. Let me show you the ground conditions, steepness and route direction in this short guide. If you're planning on going up the Watkin Path for the first time, you'll like this insightful footage.

[robertmorison]

Just did the Watkin path yesterday in severe rain, fog and very strong wind. Navigation was definitely an issue and also not being able to see where to go… definitely a test as many had turned around at 700-800m … a very challenging day

[grahammethold]

Thanks for the video - really helpful for those that haven't completed it before. I wish I'd seen this before I went up it!

[markjones]

Nice view of the route, much easier than its reputation with the recent improvements, I think it's fair to say it only really has any difficulty for novices or the very unfit these days, to the experienced it's moderately easy.

[mindmusicdreamscapes]

The watkins path is a very scenic unusual path, starts off like oooo nice then it slowly turns into wanting to cry lol, theres a flat spot where it levels out half way and when you walk over to the edge the view of the lake is jaw droppingly beautiful and worth it, i would do it again for sure, im back there tuesday woop woop

[Tony_]

Me and my son came down Snowdon via the Watkins path 8 years ago there was no steps back then and path basically disappeared into the scree, we took our time and other than few minor slips onto backsides and hands made it down with nothing more than a minor cut to a knee.
One gentleman we passed wasn't so lucky, he'd taken quite a bad tumble and slide onto some sharp scree, his pants were in shreds and was bleeding in a number of places. He assured us he was ok and didn't need any help but we stayed and walked with him until the path levelled off anyway.
As we neared the waterfalls we were greeted with a St Johns ambulance helicopter parked near the path and the Sea King hovering over the waterfalls with a guy being winched down into the narrow gully below the falls, a girl had apparently been using the falls and rocks as a water slide and gone straight over the edge and was unable to move. The Sea King was the only one that had the equipment to get her out safely.
Both those events hit home to us that you have to treat places like Snowdon with the utmost respect.

[jameseastwood]

Hi Baldy. We've done the Watkins several times. First time was in fog were you described the path dissappearing. Many people were turning back. A really rewarding challenge. Be prepared to climb with your hands.

[marcus]

This is brilliant Dan. Most helpful. Thank you.

[justinz]

Went up the Watkins path today in horizontal rain and ferocious wind gusts with a mate. I’m 58 pretty fit but had only previously walked to the Pub 😁 Wasn’t to bad, besides the ease to wander from the path, but really didn’t fancy going down it so opted for a different route

[mattclarke]

Great video, I'm heading up in first weekend of March to do Watkins. Going Up Watkins and down Bwlch Main. This video was just what I was looking for in terms of seeing what the top section was like. I've done Crib Goch, Pyg and miners before but not this one.

[davidnyeste]

Really informative video mate. I'm looking to climb Snowdon via the Watkins path at the end of May as I'm staying at the Hafod Y Llan campsite. I've just subscribed and am currently checking out your other videos

[dang]

Nice video! Love climbing Snowdon! Good to see the normal view.. haha.

[RamblingRevRachel]

I did this path many years ago, a tough path but doable. Thanks for talking it through. I’m sure this be helpful for those considering taking this route.

[johnsuekid]

Completed this path 2 days ago. First time ever up snowdon and it was hard work but purely amazing

[JayChambers]

My most enjoyable walking route up there. It’s very serene and a bit more rewarding than the others. I’d say Watkin, Rhyd Ddu path or snowdon horseshoe via Crib Goch are the only ways I’d ever consider now. And NOT on a weekend, haha.

[tonyharley]

Ascended Watkins and descended via South Ridge to rejoin Watkins just 2 days ago. Got stuck approximately half way across the scree slope section. Very wet and slippy. We couldn't make out any path whatsoever and came across effectively dead ends. We persevered and got back on track after veering off above it slightly it turned out.
This path is hard work. Would have not enjoyed descending it.

[runtothetrails]

Great film and good advice. Thanks for uploading the video 😊

[thebaldscrambler]

Hi all; here's my kit and camera equipment list and also some other info:

[davidmclachlan]

That was a really good video, I was thinking of taking the Watkins Path in a few weeks time but though I'm fit I don't have a great head for heights, so perhaps I might give it a miss.... good video nonetheless.

[peterlewis]

For somebody who has climbed Snowdon on more occasions than i can remember, here are a list of the paths, in order of easiest to hardest routes to the summit

1- Snowdon Ranger Path - the oldest and by far the easiest route up the mountain, and probably the safest route in the depths of winter

2- Rhyd Ddu path, no difficulties, other than the very exposed nature of the path, as you approach the summit of Snowdon.
Its very open, and in the teeth of the prevailing winds and weather, there's nowhere to shelter or escape the weather if it turns nasty

3- llanberis Path, the longest route, at around 5 miles and just a steady slog, very easy for virtually its entire length, with only the steep gradient above Clogwyn station that may pose a nuisance in poor weather.

4- The Miners and Pyg tracks starting from Pen Y Pass.
They may be extremely popular, but in wet weather, the upper reaches of the paths, are very very slippery, and these routes are probably the most dangerous routes in the late autumn and winter, when there's the possibility of ice.

The infamous ZIZ ZAGs, near the very top of both the paths, is probably the most dangerous spot anywhere on Snowdon, as its always damp under foot, and tt has claimed numerous lives during the winter, as this section always gets iced up.

5- The South ridge, using the Bwlch Main approach, is very exposed, and like the Miners route, gets iced up in the winter months, and is pretty exposed in bad weather.

6- The Watkin Path, is by far the most challenging route to the top, because when you have reached Bwlch Y Saethau below Yr lliwedd, its a very loose and very tricky scramble up the side of Snowdon, with so much erosion, over the years, that the path is becoming steeper and steeper.

The Crib Goch Snowdon Horseshoe route is not really a recognised route up the mountain, as its not physically part of the mountain, its a separate ridge.

For a first timer up the mountain, choose either the Llanberis or Snowdon Ranger.

[donaldtrumpton]

I have walked up by the PYG track and down the Watkins path many years ago but I don’t remember this part at all. That was back in the late 60’s. Now I go up by the Llanberis train not path.