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Snowdon Sunrise Hike: Guided Night Ascent of Yr Wyddfa in Eryri - Llanberis

Snowdon Sunrise Hike: Guided Night Ascent of Yr Wyddfa in Eryri

Llanberischallenging

Difficulty

challenging

Duration

6–8 hours

Fitness Level

Comfortable hiking uphill for several hours with sustained elevation gain and uneven, rocky terrain.

Overview

Climb Wales’s highest peak under starlight and greet the day from the summit of Yr Wyddfa. This guided sunrise hike pairs unforgettable views with smart pacing, local history, and practical, safety-first mountain sense.

Snowdon Sunrise Hike: Guided Night Ascent of Yr Wyddfa in Eryri

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Hiking

The mountain sleeps in silhouette as you step onto the trail, breath a quick cloud in the cold and headlamps pricking the dark like a quiet constellation. Yr Wyddfa—Snowdon—waits overhead, its ridges easing you upward while the night thins toward blue. Your guide sets an unhurried rhythm, checking footing on stone steps, calling a brief halt where the wind hurries through saddles and urges you onward. By the time the horizon glows, the mountain stirs with light; llyn pools turn to polished metal, and the summit cairn greets you just as the sun lifts and spills across Eryri National Park.

Adventure Photos

Snowdon Sunrise Hike: Guided Night Ascent of Yr Wyddfa in Eryri photo 1

Adventure Tips

Start warm, stay warm

Layer up from the car park—wind at the summit can be fierce even in summer, and you’ll cool quickly during summit stops.

Trust your light

Bring a headlamp with fresh batteries and a spare; keep it on a medium beam to pick out rocky steps without blowing night vision.

Mind the footing on descent

Wet rock and tired legs make for slips—use poles or shorten your stride on the steeper upper sections.

Plan your transport

Pen y Pass parking must be pre-booked; the Sherpa’r Wyddfa buses run early from Llanberis during peak season.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Red-billed choughs and ravens riding the morning thermals
  • Hardy mountain goats and grazing Welsh mountain sheep

History

Llanberis grew around slate quarrying that roofed the industrial age, while the Snowdon Mountain Railway has carried day visitors since 1896.

Conservation

Stick to established paths to limit erosion on fragile alpine vegetation. Pack out all waste and avoid disturbing grazing livestock.

Adventure Hotspots in Llanberis

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Headlamp with spare batteries

Essential

Night navigation and hands-free lighting are critical for the pre-dawn ascent.

Waterproof jacket and trousers (breathable)

Essential

Weather shifts quickly; staying dry and windproof preserves warmth and energy.

Insulating midlayer (fleece or light down)

Essential

Early starts are cold; add or shed as the climb warms you.

spring specific

Sturdy hiking boots with good tread

Essential

Rocky steps and wet stone demand ankle support and reliable grip.