Spectacular Snowdon!

It's funny to think about Mt Snowdon being such a popular hiking destination when it isn't even as high as the North Shore mountains! But, as the highest peak in Wales and England combined, it is a goal set by many, far too many, for fund-raising events and bragging rights - a bit like the Grouse Grind! Here's a view of it from Llyn Cwellyn, the lake in front of the hostel.

Having spent a day and a half here with all the hills and mountains completely hidden in low clouds, imagine our excitement on getting up this morning to find beautiful mountains all around us outlined with blue sky and sunshine! What a bit of luck! We were out on the the trail by crack of 10......... well, we are on holiday after all!

We chose the Snowdon Ranger Path for our ascent, partly because it starts right beside the hostel, but also because it is on the quiet side of the mountain..........though we didn't fully understand the importance of this until we got to the top!

This graphic map shows the route of the path, with almost 1000m (3100ft) elevation in 6.5km (4 miles) with a steep start, a very steep second half, and a nice (too short!) level section in between.

We were in the full sun right from the start, and with no trees at all for shade it was a very hot climb! After the first 20 minutes we rounded a bluff and could see the entire mountain, and never lost sight of our destination, high above us urging us on!

We could also see the little trains that chug up and down from the other side all day long, full up with those who are unable to walk, or unwilling to put in the effort!

The views just got better and better the higher we went!

And the going got steep and rough - but the peak is still in view!

After 3 hours we sat down just below the peak to admire the views and eat our lunch. The view was stunning - across the Irish Sea in the distance we could almost imagine the coast of Ireland - apparently it is possible to see it on a very clear day!

Here you can see the more popular routes on the north side, hundreds of hikers were coming up from there.

The area around the peak was a madhouse with crowds of tourists getting off the train, or dragging themselves the final few feet to the top!

We start our descent.... I can hardly wait to get to that lake for a swim!

On the way down I spotted some local wildlife, and a peaceful view of our favourite railway station with the lake behind.........where I had a wonderful swim to cool me down after the day's exertion!