Photo © Efan Thomas
Are you looking to Climb Snowdon but don’t have access to a car or would simply just prefer to use public transport? Well it’s actually quite easy to start your Snowdon walk using local buses.
The Snowdon Sherpa is a unique bus service that travels around the foot of Snowdon. It creates an essential connection between the six main paths up Snowdon as well as the main car parks, villages and tourist attractions in the area. It’s particularly useful for walkers or climbers wanting to start their journey from one place and finish at another, or indeed for anyone who wants to travel around Snowdonia leaving the car at home.
The best value bus ticket will cost you £5.70 with a 1bws ticket which gives a day’s unlimited travel on all buses in North Wales. You can buy your ticket using cash or contactless from the driver on your first bus.
So how do you get to the main Snowdon footpaths from local towns and cities?
Climb Snowdon from Llanberis using the Snowdon Sherpa Bus
If you’re heading up Snowdon along the popular Llanberis Path you’ll start from the village of Llanberis. There are a few bus stops in the village but get off at the ‘Interchange’ where it’s just a short walk past the Snowdon Mountain Railway Station and Royal Victoria Hotel to join the Llanberis Path. If you’re travelling from Bangor you can catch the S2 Snowdon Sherpa bus from the bus stands on Garth Road or from the railway station. The journey takes about 40 minutes from Bangor to Llanberis and is a very pleasant bus ride through local villages.
If you’re coming from Betws-y-Coed, Capel Curig, Caernarfon or Llanrug take the S1 Snowdon Sherpa bus. The journey from the beautiful Snowdonia village of Betws-y-Coed takes around 40 minutes. From Caernarfon you’ll need to allow 30 minutes. The S1 runs hourly every day (winter times vary).
Getting to Pen-y-Pass using public transport
The very popular Pyg Track and Miners’ Tracks and Crib Goch ridge scramble all start from Pen-y-Pass. Just as for the Llanberis Path, if travelling from Betws-y-Coed or Caernarfon take the S1 Snowdon Sherpa bus. If you’re coming from Bangor you’ll need the S2. From Llanberis or Nant Peris (Park & Ride), catch the S1, S2 or S5 buses. From Porthmadog you’ll need the S4. Check the timetable links for more information. Buses between Pen-y-Pass and Llanberis run as frequently as every 15 minutes on summer weekends.
Snowdon Sherpa buses for the Snowdon Ranger, Rhyd Ddu and Watkin paths
On the West side of the mountain you’ll find the Snowdon Ranger and Rhyd Ddu paths. Buses around this side of the mountain operate much less than around Llanberis so plan carefully. The Snowdon Ranger paths starts from YHA hostel of the same name whilst the Rhyd Ddu paths begins just outside the village at the Welsh Highland Railway station. The S3 Snowdon Sherpa bus from Caernarfon or Beddgelert will get you to both of these paths.
For the Watkin Path which starts from Pont Bethania (near to Nant Gwynant) you’ll need the S4 Snowdon Sherpa that runs between Porthmadog, Baddgelert and Pen-y-Pass.
All of MountainXperience’s Snowdon hikes are easily accessibly by public transport with the exception of our Snowdon Sunrise adventures due to their very early start. Book your Hike to the summit of Snowdon or Snowdon via Crib Goch adventures today!
