Summiting Snowdon via the Pyg Track was the perfect way to close out 2025 ~ snow season, in good company, with my camera and a landscape that always puts things into perspective.

We set off from the Wirral at 7:45am and headed down the A55. We parked at the Park & Ride at Pen y Pass and took a cab up to the Pyg Track car park, saving our legs for the climb itself.

The opening 45 minutes of the Pyg Track are tough ~ steep and straight into work ~ but once it begins to level out below Bwlch y Moch, as the path skirts Llyn Llydaw, the gradient eases.

Once the views opened up, we stopped for a refuel and took it all in before pushing on. I’ve walked Snowdon all year round and while every path has its own charm, we tend to favour the Pyg over the Llanberis Path. It’s quicker, more direct, and the views come sooner ~ though honestly, all the routes up are lovely in their own way.

This was Brad’s first time summiting. Last time, snow season stopped him ~ no spikes, no summit. The scenes as we hit the snow covered ridges were unreal ~ frozen ground and that chill you only get in winter. It took us around 2.5 hours to reach the summit, and a little less on the way back down.

At the top, we took the standard summit photo, had another bite to eat, then started the journey back down. The Summit Visitor Centre was closed ~ so having a warm & full Stanley was heaven.

A few words of caution ~ winter on Snowdon demands respect. Ice, snow, and fast changing weather are standard this time of year. Spikes are an absolute must. It was wild to see people attempting it without them.

If it’s your first time, and depending on the path, a guide can make a big difference. Sobriety & Summits & True Summit Adventures are friends of Arclett, and there are plenty of other local guides online too.

This summit was a fitting end to 2025. Quiet, cold, beautiful ~ and exactly where we wanted to be.

~ Type of Walk: Mountain track, winter conditions.
~ Parking: Snowdon Park & Ride, shared taxi to Pyg Track car park.
~ Equipment: Winter boots, spikes, waterproofs, warm layers, snacks, Stanley & camera.
~ Best Time to Visit: All year. Winter brings snow ~ but only with the right kit.
~ Company: Brad, Snow, Ridgelines & a well-earned summit stop.

Photography & Words: Scott Woolley, Shot on Leica Q1 ~ December 2025.