Sherpa bus timetables – 2023 season
The Sherpa bus service is now running its high season timetable. This includes the Park & Ride service to/from Nant Peris, which will again see buses to Pen y Pass every 15 minutes (weekends and school holidays) and every 30 minutes to Llanberis. Download the new 2023 timetables here.
Trains due to return to the summit in 2023
The Snowdon Mountain Railway company has been running trains to Clogwyn (¾ of the way to the summit) since early April, as is normal. They are aiming to run trains to the summit from 24 June (a date pushed back from 13 May), weather permitting, which means that Hafod Eryri, the summit building, will be open for the first time since 2019. See more on the railway’s website here.
‘Yr Wyddfa’ (rather than ‘Snowdon’)
In mid-November 2022 a meeting of the Snowdonia National Park Authority confirmed their intention to only use the names ‘Yr Wyddfa’ for Snowdon and ‘Eryri’ for Snowdonia in the future. However, it will be a gradual transition, with their current policy (using the Welsh names first with the English names in brackets) continuing for the time being. You can read more about this on the National Park website. (By the way, you will see that the name ‘Yr Wyddfa’ appears on most pages on this website, and is the name of choice on our blog pages.)
Full fibre broadband at the summit
There is already a good 4G mobile signal at the summit, but BT Openreach are currently in the process of connecting Hafod Eryri, the summit building, to the Llanberis exchange with full fibre broadband, (Inside, the mobile signal is very poor.) This will run underground in a culvert as new poles are not permitted on the mountain.
Due for completion by the spring, it will allow the likes of contactless payments in the cafe, and a small mobile communications mast will provide emergency mobile coverage for mountain rescue services.
You can read a news report here.
A plastic-free Snowdon?
Yr Wyddfa‘s popularity means that litter and waste is becoming a real threat to the mountain’s sustainable future. Following a consultation period, the National Park Authority has appointed a ‘plastic-free Yr Wyddfa’ officer. The plan is to create a clear and ambitious strategy to reduce the amount of waste on Yr Wyddfa’s paths and help businesses to transition from single-use plastics. You can read more about the scheme and how we can all help, and watch a YouTube clip about it.
4G signal on its way at Rhyd Ddu?
A new 4G mast has been erected behind Rhyd Ddu station. The aim is to improve connectivity for the emergency services and allow 999 calls on this western side of the mountain. It is not clear when – or indeed if – it will ultimately be available for normal calls; such a move would considerably improve communications on both the Rhyd Ddu Path and Snowdon Ranger Path.
Improved signage for Crib Goch
Plans are in hand to place further signage near Bwlch y Moch on the Pyg Track to stop people accidentally heading up Crib Goch, thinking that it is the main route up to Snowdon. (This usually happens when people blindly follow those in front.)
Path maintenance on the Watkin Path
Funding is now in place to see the work continuing laying steps on the upper part of the Watkin Path. However, the contractor is currently working elsewhere so nothing will be happening immediately.
Path maintenance on Allt Maenderyn (the South Ridge)
A line of helibags has been placed near the top of Allt Maenderyn (the South Ridge) where the path here is being improved by the National Trust. Although not one of the 6 main paths up Snowdon, this route forms part of the Cambrian Way.
Path maintenance in Cwm Llan
The National Trust (the landowner) is currently upgrading the section of path between Bwlch Cwm Llan and the old tramway. A line of helibags marks the location. This route is used if returning from Allt Maenderyn (the South Ridge) to the lower Watkin Path, and forms part of the Cambrian Way.
Cwm Dyli pipeline maintenance
Walkers on the Miners’ Track between Pen y Pass and Llyn Teyrn will have noticed site works and the haul roads laid down to the hydro pipeline which runs from Llyn Llydaw to Cwm Dyli power station. This maintenance work (on the concrete supports and ‘saddles’) will take at least a couple of years, and after moving off-site over the winter, the contractor is now restarting works again.
Bwlch Maesgwm loop path upgrade
The Right of Way directly linking the bottom of the Llanberis Path to the Bwlch Maesgwm bridleway has recently been considerably upgraded and improved. To see more about this route and this specific section, see our Bwlch Maesgwm page.