Hiking North Wales: Snowdon via Watkin Path & Conwy - Panoramic 4K views and guidance

Snowdon Peak via the Watkin Path
**Starting Point**: Pont Bethania car park, Nant Gwynant, off the A498
**Start Time**: 6:00 AM
- **Daily parking rate (up to midnight)**: £6 (card payments only - ‘chip & pin’ or contactless)
- **Rate for up to 4 hours**: £3
- **Pre-booking**: Not available
- **Disabled parking**: Single blue badge/disabled space available
If the car park is full, including the parking on the toilet side, there is usually space on the adjacent verges. Be sure to park legally and considerately, avoiding areas marked with cones.
**Car Park Popularity**:
On warm, sunny days, the car park is popular with people visiting the nearby waterfalls, so arriving early helps secure a spot and avoids the crowds.
**Route Description**:
The Watkin Path (Llwybr Watkin) is one of the longest and more challenging routes to the summit, starting at just 60m above sea level with a total ascent of 1,025m (3,330 ft). The path is named after Sir Edward Watkin, a Liberal Member of Parliament who purchased a large part of this side of the mountain in 1889 and improved the track beyond the slate quarry.
**Scenic Highlights**:
The hike offers a rich variety of natural scenery, initially winding through woods, past waterfalls, and over pastures before leading to the open mountain. Once past the waterfalls, the path becomes quieter and more serene. About halfway up, the path steepens significantly and culminates in a challenging rocky and scree section.
**Distance and Time**:
- **Distance**: 4¼ miles (7 km) to the summit one way, 8½ miles (14 km) for a round trip if returning by the same route
- **Time**: Allow between 2½ and 4 hours each way, depending on your level of fitness
Starting early is highly recommended to avoid the peak crowds and enjoy a more peaceful ascent. The climb maintains a relatively steady incline until you reach the Watkin Path sign, where the scramble begins. Be cautious of loose rocks during this section.
**Weather Considerations**:
Choosing a sunny, clear day is crucial to fully appreciate the stunning views and surroundings. This is why we always plan a minimum of three days in Wales, allowing us to adjust our schedule based on the weather conditions. Missing out on the views due to poor weather would be a great loss.
**Peak Experience**:
Upon reaching the peak, you'll find many people gathering to touch the summit sign. Having done this hike eight times, we skipped the queue and enjoyed a leisurely late breakfast, soaking in the breathtaking views.
CONWY:
Our first stop is the seaside, where we’re on the hunt for a very special landmark-the smallest house in Great Britain.”
We make our way to the quay, the camera panning to the tiny red house nestled among the larger buildings. This quirky little house is just 72 inches wide and 122 inches high. It was last occupied in 1900 by a fisherman who was 6 feet 3 inches tall-can you believe that?”
Conwy Marina circular walk - picturesque route offers beautiful views of the marina and the Conwy River.
One of the highlights of Conwy is walking on the castle walls. These walls, dating back to the 13th century, are incredibly well-preserved. The best part? Dogs are allowed, and it’s free to explore! The views from up here are just fantastic. You can see the entire town, the river, and even out to the sea.
Conwy Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in the UK. Unfortunately, we couldn’t go inside today because it’s not dog-friendly. Despite not being able to enter, the castle is still a sight to behold from the outside. Built by Edward I during his conquest of Wales between 1283 and 1289, it’s a testament to medieval military architecture.
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