Views from the summit
Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) stands 1,085m (3,560 feet) high. When visibility and conditions are good, the summit is a stunning place.
In addition to views of the adjacent lower, surrounding peaks, when conditions are perfect it is possible to see as far as Merrick in Scotland, the Peak District and the South Pennines in England, Pembrokeshire in Wales, the Isle of Man, and the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland. It was said as far back as the 19th century that it’s possible to see a total of 24 counties, 29 lakes and 17 islands from the summit, although we think this is stretching it!
On top of the summit pillar is a brass toposcope naming 100 peaks and features which can be seen in all directions when visibility is at its best.
(To read about the full detail on the toposcope, see this blog.)
The summit pillar and toposcope
Panoramas
The following excellent panoramas were drawn by cartographer Chris Jesty in the 1970s, but are every bit as applicable today. They show in great detail what can be seen in ideal conditions in each of the four directions. We thoroughly recommend that you have a close look at all the amazing detail and other facts on these.
(We are grateful to Chris for inviting us to reproduce these. His website can be found here.)
The view from north to east: (Zoom in to enlarge, or for the original resolution click here.)
The view from east to south: (Zoom in to enlarge, or for the original resolution click here.)
The view from south to west: (Zoom in to enlarge, or for the original resolution click here.)
The view from west to north: (Zoom in to enlarge, or for the original resolution click here.)
A less detailed, lower resolution whole panorama in two sections: (Zoom in to enlarge, or for the original resolution click here.)
A view of Scotland
The following photo was taken by Kris Williams in 2015. It shows (on the horizon) the Isle of Man and Scotland, taken from just below the summit.
The graphic below provides a little more detail: the three peaks on the left are on the Isle of Man; those on the right are in Scotland. (The figures indicate distance in miles from Snowdon.)
A view from Ireland
The following photo was taken in January 2021 by Niall O’Carroll in Howth, County Dublin. It shows a large part of a snow-covered Snowdonia, with Snowdon itself near the middle, some 85 miles / 137 km away.
