Camping near Snowdon and walking up it

[EazyDuz]

Hey.
I'm looking at riding to snowdon and camping for a night or two in a near by camp site.
Been reading about walking routes up the mountain, and i feel the Pyg track and down via the Miners track seems the best for my abilities (fairly fit, no athlete).
So can anyone recommend a good, cheap camp site to stay at? Also with these routes, do they both start and end in the same car park? Just how hard are they? Any tips/advice?
Thanks
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[chickenstrip]

There is a very large campsite at Beddgelert I've used a few times that's not far from Snowdon (Yr Wydffa). A little on the pricey side, but good facilities and because it's so big, you don't feel so crammed in with all the other campers. I actually got the bus to Rhyd Ddu, which is a nice, fairly easy path that not so many people use. Then came down the Pyg track - much better than the miner's track as you stay higher for longer and get great views down the Llanberis pass. The miner's track descends fairly quickly and is the most popular route (though God knows why); it can become very congested and you may end up queueing to get down.

Both the Pyg and miner's tracks come out at the café at Pen-y Pass, which has a car park (can't remember if there's parking at Rhyd Ddu), but you can get a bus back to Beddgelert from there too. There is a small tourist office in Beddgelert too, where you can get maps, bus timetables and advice on all the routes.

There is also a good little hotel/B&B in Beddgelert I've used that wasn't too dear - sorry, can't remember for the life of me what it's called! Might be more expensive in season too, I used it in about May.

I would actually suggest Cadair Idris further south as a more enjoyable climb - a little less busy than Snowdon, and there is a stone-built shelter (bothy) at the top that you can stay in overnight if not too busy - can't count on that though I suppose. Bit more strenuous a climb too, though I did it with about 60lbs on my back - nearly killed me! There is (or was) a small farm campsite right by the foot of the route up I used.

[Itchy]

Dunno have you made any political enemies lately?
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[toadoftoadhal...]

there is a really good YHA just opposite the car park where you start the walks.
Go on, treat yourself.
Will be doing similar early September, Snowdon Horseshoe.

[EazyDuz]

[Paris2]

I did the miners track up and down a couple of years ago. Fairly easy going most of the way, though towards the top it gets pretty steep and a bit more interesting. All in all quite an easy and enjoyable climb, shouldnt cause you too much trouble if your are relatively fit
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[tactical_pancake]

I did the miner's track up and the pyg track down, weekend before last with the gf.

The miner's track is actually fairly flat for the first half going past a few lakes on a good surface. The 'climb' is just a short scramble over a steep section then you join the pyg track which zig zags up. Most of it is fairly easy there's just a few (5 or so?) sections where you have to use your hands to help you over. Would probably be more slippy in the wet.

We were expecting the lower section of the pyg track to be easier than the miner's, but it is not, there are quite a few scrambling sections and it is all climbing back to the car park (takes a lot longer), whereas the miner's is effectively a stroll for half the length.

This pic I took from first section of miner's track:
https://i57.tinypic.com/suvjnd.jpg

The car park was pretty rammed (we were in car) so had to park at the next car park and get the bus up to where the walks started (make sure you have some coins for car park / buses).

There is a train but don't expect to get the train down if you are exhausted / injured / chicken as most of the people coming on it have return tickets. Not to mention it costs 25 quid. I say this because rather than being exhausting, the climb can aggravate niggling injuries like knees, and in my case the gf developed vertigo and wanted to be air lifted off the mountain (she was fine walking down in the end) ...

This is train track near the summit:
https://i57.tinypic.com/2nhm5g0.jpg

[EazyDuz]

Wow looks awesome. Don't bikes park free, are there even motorcycle spaces? I'd probably ride from the camp ground, change into my walking boots and go from there
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To shreds you say? Tss tss tss

[chickenstrip]

The car park at Pen-y-Pass isn't very big considering how many people use it (including coaches). I've had trouble finding space for a bike before, but they don't charge for bike parking - no motorcycle specific spaces, though. That wouldn't put me off trying, as people are coming and going all the time, and you'd probably find a spot if you wait a little while.

I found the Pyg track pretty easy coming down, but I'd got quite fit by that point (started walking at Chepstow ). But I really don't recall any particular difficulties on it. I don't recall any scrambling either, but it was a while ago, so memory could be faulty. Nothing too difficult if you're of reasonable fitness, I'm sure.

[tactical_pancake]

[EazyDuz]

Looks pretty empty when that PIC was taken .
I'll be going in the week so hopefully not too bad. Any opinions on local camp sites would be good
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[EazyDuz]

And also gear and stuff to take? Not really walked up a mountain before so not sure how taxing it would be.
And clothing, am i alright in jeans and a t shirt, with a jumper in my bag incase?
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To shreds you say? Tss tss tss

[chickenstrip]

It's generally accepted that jeans/cotton clothing isn't a great idea. If it gets wet, you get cold quickly and stay cold cos it doesn't dry out quickly. Synthetic materials like Coolmax and lightweight cargo-style trousers are better if you don't want to spend on expensive specialist clothing. Go Outdoors, Millets etc will usually have something at reasonable cost that would be more suitable. On Snowdon in summer you'll probably have no worries as there'll be plenty of people about if you do get into difficulties - this isn't the Himalaya after all. But yes, take a warm pullover even if it starts out a hot day. If the sun does disappear it can get cold real quick. You should take a windproof top/light rain jacket too.

Take something drink too - you lose a lot of fluids through perspiration climbing these hills, and with it you lose energy. Fresh orange juice, 2 or 3 of those little cartons, isn't a bad idea, cos it also replaces the salts (potassium etc) that you lose through sweating, and you'll feel the energy lift immediately. A coupla choccy bars or something like that would be worth carrying too.

Ideally you want a pretty sturdy pair of hiking shoes as well; something ankle height is ideal, as the going is very uneven and rocky in places. People do it in all sorts of gear and get away with it, but you also hear about those who suffer cos they cut corners with the kit.

Walking Snowdon isn't a really big deal in summer in good conditions (though you'll enjoy it and the views make the effort well worthwhile). But at any time of year, the weather can turn very quickly, even in Britain's little hills, so be prepared - hopefully you'll come down thinking "what did I take all that for?", but if you're sensible about it, you'll enjoy it even if the wind gets up and the rain comes down.

[CieL]

[ocatoro]

nant gwynant campsite is very good... can have fire too.. which is rare these days. it's just north of beddgelert.
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Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600

[EazyDuz]

Thanks for the informative replies. Just need to decide exactly when I'm going, summer seems to be in the way out already
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To shreds you say? Tss tss tss

[ocatoro]

having gone up snowdon in jeans during what turned into a "severe weather warning"... i can vouch for the fact that you definitely should NOT wear jeans. they'll be heavier than lead by the time you come down. wear something light and comfy and carry some waterproof overtrousers. even if it's sunny. the rain can and does come in frighteningly quick and is nasty up there.
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CBT - 17/09/12 * Theory - 23/10/12 * Mod1 - 05/03/13 * Mod2 - 25/03/13 * BOSH!
Current - None but shed project H100 (first bike )
Past - ER5, '93 ZZR600, '92 CB400 SF, ZZR600 (again), yellow Monster 620, Blackbird - black Monster 620ie - '96 ZZR600

[MetalTrack]