From the City to the Country Side, Snowdon YAP

Introduction

Before I start this YAP, I just wanted to thank everyone who has tuned into the website, although this is only a project it is something I found myself enjoying and I hope that anyone who reads these blogs gains something from it. A quick disclaimer: I just want to repeat that these blogs are opinionated and are based on my experiences in different places, these are merely to give you an idea of what to expect and whether it is worth visiting. Anyway, this week's YAP will be a bit different from last time since this week we will take a journey away from the Cities and through the beautiful mountains in the Welsh region.

A Sea of Green

Now I get that walking isn't everyone's cup of tea but if you have ever felt like you wanted a different change of scenery then this is the place you need to visit. The 1,085-meter mountain is the second largest in the UK just between Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike. Climbing is certainly a challenge and maybe quite scary for some but in the midst of it, you will certainly enjoy the rewards, as you will see on the photos page of this website there are some breathtaking views. From Luscious green to a white blanket of snow you will not have to look far to find some of these hidden beauties.

Journey to the top

With the staggering hike and almost endless trails, you will be in for quite the challenge when you try to scale this mountain. It is estimated that it is an 8-mile trek to the top but depending on which path you decide to take will depend on how long your journey is. From my experience of Snowdon both times I went I took two different paths, the easiest being the Rangers Path which is the longest, and the hardest being the Watkins Path, which will be discussed in the next two paragraphs. Another measure you will have to take into account is the weather, it is highly recommended that if you are thinking of going to go in the summer where temperatures are a lot warmer. You may also want to check the weather for rain and wind as it may be better to go when the skies are clear so you can make the most of your day there.

The Rangers Path

The Rangers Path can be looked at as the main path to take for most people as it is the most straightforward and you still get the amazing views that you would any other. However, do not take this path lightly it is just as difficult as the rest, The Ranger's path can be seen as a test of endurance due to the length and steepness of some of the hills. Fortunately, no climbing is involved in this path so all it will take is a bit of motivation to go the extra half a mile, as said before the trail is very straightforward with arrows to show you the way.

The Watkins Path

Say you want a challenge, and you look at the paths and think what about the Watkins Path, let me prewarn you that when they say this is the hardest path they are not lying. The walk starts off pretty straightforward like The Rangers Path, you follow the trail through the South Slate quarry and you will get to some steep hills. But as you delve further into the mountains you will find that the steepness doesn't really end and that isn't even the difficult part. Once you have got to the top of the south mountain then you begin your summit to the top, this is where you will go from walking to climbing. As navigation can be quite difficult depending on the weather you will have to find your way to some stone steps which are about halfway up the summit, this is by far the most difficult part due to the lack of navigation and the steepness of the hill which is why you may have to result to climbing. Although it's tough once you scale the mountain and get to the Watkins Stone the views are stunning.

Alternative routes

There are of course other ways to get to the top of Snowdon, there are other paths that will take you to the top, you could even try and create your own path if you are daring enough. But don't think that the only way to go is by walking, there is also a train that could take you to the top so maybe if you don't feel like walking you could instead ride to the top and still see some extraordinary sights. Traveling to Snowdon can be quite the challenge depending on where you are from but there are plenty of car parks around the area, depending on where you park can also depend on the route you end up taking.

Finding the motivation

With Snowdon being in the countryside you might think to yourself there's not much to do other than walk, well you are not wrong but there are more ways of enjoying your journey well you are there. Sometimes all it takes is that bit of motivation from someone who may challenge you to make the adventure seem a lot more thrilling. Especially when it comes to events like the 3 peaks challenge, or maybe you feel like pushing yourself to go the extra mile. For me the first time I went the decision was completely spontaneous, when it came to the second time it was more for the challenge of tackling the hardest path. Either way, however you decide to take on this adventure is completely up to you, for most people who go they realised that they got more out of going than they thought.

Conclusion

In conclusion to this YAP, I do believe that Snowdon is truly a test for a lot of people but to everyone, it is certainly an adventure whether you enjoyed it, or you hated it. Although Snowdon isn't a bustling city with bright lights fancy restaurants and bouji nights out it is certainly something to admire. It may not hit the vibe for most people, but it definitely hits it for me which is why I would rate it a 7 out of 10 and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is thinking about going.

Thank you for reading.

Matthew

YAPVibe Blogger