Pen y Pass is a popular and busy starting point for Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa). It is pronounced ‘pen uh pas’ (rhymes with ‘gas’) and means ‘head/top of the pass’.
Contents
Location
Pen y Pass is on the A4086, 5 miles up the Llanberis Pass from Llanberis.
- Grid reference: SH 647 557 (O.S. map Outdoor Leisure OL17)
- Postcode: LL55 4NU
- What 3 words: spud.salt.replaces
- Location of Pen y Pass on Google maps
Pen y Pass is the start of two major paths up Snowdon, namely the Pyg Track and the Miners’ Track. It is also the usual start for Crib Goch, which follows the Pyg Track for the first mile.
The Pyg Track starts at the far end of the top car park, leading though a gap in the stone wall. The Miners’ Track starts at the far end of the lower car park, through a large metal gate.
Parking at Pen y Pass
See our page on parking at Pen y Pass (it’s Pay & Display over the winter and pre-booking during the season) and options if it’s full.
Other facilities
- There are toilets at Pen y Pass.
- There is a café at Pen y Pass (open seasonally, though not always open mid-week).
- There is a touch-screen information panel to access bus information, weather details at the summit, etc.
- There is a small shop and information hub (open seasonally, though not always open mid-week).
- There is a drinking-water tap for filling bottles, etc.
- The Youth Hostel over the road has a licensed café and bar, and showers which can be used for a small charge.
- Free WiFi at Pen y Pass (there is no phone signal)
- Pen y Pass is served by Sherpa bus services S1, S2, S3 and S5 (which includes the Park & Ride buses) and local taxis.