Race the Route: Run Snowdonia's Eryri Trails Yourself

This is a Race the Route companion guide — pairing live race coverage with trail guides for athletes.

Snowdonia — or Eryri, as it is known in Welsh — is where British mountain running began. The peaks are not high by Alpine standards, but they are steep, technical, and exposed to Atlantic weather that can change in minutes. The terrain builds a different kind of runner — one who is comfortable on rock, confident in wind, and untroubled by rain.

Here are the trails that make Eryri one of the great running destinations in Europe.

The Snowdon Routes

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) has six paths to the summit, each with a different character:

Llanberis Path — The longest and most gradual (9km, 1,000m gain). This is the ERYRI 25K race route and the best option for a first summit run. Mostly good trail with some rocky sections near the top. Busy in summer but quieter early morning.

Pyg Track — Shorter and steeper (5.6km), starting from Pen-y-Pass at 359m. Rocky and technical in places, with the famous zigzags near the summit. A faster but harder option for runners.

Miners Track — Starts alongside Pyg Track but takes a lower, more scenic route past Llyn Llydaw and the old copper mines before joining the Pyg Track for the final steep section. Beautiful and varied.

Snowdon Horseshoe — The classic ridgeline traverse connecting Crib Goch, Snowdon, and Y Lliwedd. This is scrambling, not running — exposed knife-edge ridge with genuine exposure. For experienced mountain runners only. One of the great mountain days in Britain.

Beyond Snowdon: The Glyderau and Carneddau

The Glyderau range — Glyder Fawr (1,001m) and Glyder Fach (994m) — offers wilder, quieter running than Snowdon. The Devil's Kitchen route from Cwm Idwal climbs through a dramatic boulder-filled cwm to the ridge. The Bristly Ridge scramble adds a technical ascent for those comfortable on rock.

The Carneddau to the north are the most remote mountains in Snowdonia. Rolling grassy ridges, wild ponies, and far fewer people. The Carneddau horseshoe takes in Carnedd Llewelyn (1,064m) and Carnedd Dafydd (1,044m) — a long but runnable ridge traverse with views across Anglesey and the Irish Sea.

For a 6-8km run that captures the essence of Snowdonia, the Cwm Idwal circuit is hard to beat. Starting from the Ogwen Valley, the trail climbs to Llyn Idwal — a glacial lake surrounded by cliffs — before looping around the cwm on rocky paths. It is dramatic, accessible, and rideable in under an hour.

Logistics and Tips

Getting there: Llanberis is the main trailhead town, accessible by car from the A55. Capel Curig and Betws-y-Coed are also good bases. No direct train service — car or bus from Bangor.

Accommodation: Hostels, B&Bs, and bunkhouses are plentiful. Book ahead on UTMB race weekends.

Gear: Waterproof jacket mandatory — Snowdonia weather changes fast. Trail shoes with rocky terrain grip (Inov-8, Salomon Speedcross, or similar). Carry a map — cloud can descend quickly and trails become hard to follow.

When to go: April to October for the best conditions. May and June offer long days and wildflowers. September and October bring autumn colours and cooler temps. Winter running is possible but demands mountaineering experience.

Find Trail Runners in Snowdonia on ZealZag

Snowdonia has a devoted trail and fell running community. Connect with athletes on ZealZag who know these mountains — they will tell you which routes are in condition, where the bogs are worst, and which cafe in Llanberis does the best post-run breakfast.

Read the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia ERYRI 25K preview. Also this week: Giro Stage 7 at the Blockhaus and the WSL at Raglan.