Walking Mount Snowdon Via The Pyg & Miners' Track. Snowdonia, North Wales.
The Pyg and the Miners Tracks start at the same point. The car park here gets very full, and an early start is essential. It is not known how the Pyg Track got its name - it could be as it passes over the Pigs's Pass (Bwlch y Mocl), because it is close to the Pen y Gwryd Hotel, or because pyg, in welsh, also means pitch, and part of the surface of the path looks like black pitch. Whatever the origin, this path starts 1170 feet above sea level which gives you a helpful start on the way. Much of this walk is rugged, and very challenging, but the scenery is interesting. The first part of this video shows views from the Pyg Track during the ascent to the summit. Once past the Pigs's Pass, the view down to the left shows the Miners' Track below. The Miners' Track is a good walk to try if you want to walk on Snowdon but don't want to try to reach the summit as the first part is fairly gentle. Views from the descent using the Miner's Track are featured. It was built during the 1800's to serve Britannia Copper Mines which were abandonned in 1917. Mine Manager Arthur Lockwood drove his car to Llyn Glaslyn, and the track to this point at the lake still resembles a road so is a good walking surface. The track does get considerably steeper towards the summit but was fairly easy on our descent.
Snowdon Wales North Wales Snowdonia Mountain Pyg Track Miners' Track Summit Trekking Walking Outdoors Scenery Wildlife Mount Snowdon
