What can I say? Snowdonia is one of the most breathtaking places we’ve ever visited. My partner, Ben, and I first travelled to North Wales a few years ago for a holiday—and it completely stole our hearts. Since then, we’ve returned nearly every year. The landscapes, the lakes, the historic sites—everything about it is exceptional.
We’ve previously gone for week-long trips or long weekends, but over New Year’s 2024, we made the decision to plan something more special: a full 10-day adventure in September 2025.
I’m quite the planner when it comes to travel there’s nothing, I dislike more than waking up with no idea what the day holds. So, in true form, I created a full itinerary weeks before we left, making sure we had a balance of adventure, relaxation, and exploration.
With everything in place, we set off for 10 days of hiking, stunning views, and exciting activities. We arrived on a Friday afternoon and had a relaxed evening to settle in before heading to Zip World the next day. There, we experienced the Fforest Coaster, which was a brilliant start to the trip!
Later that day, we revisited Llyn Ogwen, a lake we’d fallen in love with on previous visits. We took a gentle walk up one of the surrounding hills to enjoy views of the lake and the Snowdonia peaks. Right on cue, the rain arrived—and unfortunately, it didn’t seem to want to leave. That wasn’t ideal, especially since we had booked a car park for a 5:30am start to climb Mount Snowdon the very next morning.
Still, we’re not ones to let the weather hold us back. With waterproofs and woolly hats at the ready, we pressed on.
Attempt One – Sunday 7th September
Sunday arrived with a disappointing weather forecast, but having already paid for the car park, we decided to give it a try. We left the car at 5:30am and were greeted with a chilly but stunning sunrise over Snowdonia. There was hope.
Unfortunately, that hope was short-lived. The rain returned, followed by intense winds so strong they knocked me over. We had made it about three-quarters of the way up the Miners’ Track, but with the most physically challenging part still ahead, we made the difficult but necessary decision to turn back.
By 10am, cold and slightly wet, we were back at the base. We warmed up with a hot drink at Pen-y-Pass café, feeling a bit deflated. We’d climbed up Snowdon before—via train—and descended on foot via Llanberis and Miners’ Track but never done a full hike to the summit and back.
For me, the uphill sections are particularly tough due to breathlessness and health challenges. I’d always told Ben that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do both up and down on foot. Still, I had wanted to try. My biggest fear was failing. But we reminded ourselves: the mountain beat us that day—it wasn’t a failure, just an incomplete chapter.
And so, we returned.
The Summit – Thursday 4th September 2025
Coincidentally, it was exactly two years to the day since we had last taken the train up the mountain and descended via Miners’ Track. This time, we were determined to hike the whole thing.
We started at 6am, just as the world was waking up. The sun was rising behind us, casting a beautiful golden light over Snowdon—it looked like a scene from Mars. Absolutely stunning.
Before long, the rain returned light, but persistent enough to make the climb more challenging. Despite the conditions, we pressed on. As we reached the summit, we rose above the patchy clouds to views that made every step worth it.
We reached the summit at 9:50am, after many breaks, inhaler stops, and breath-catching moments. I was so proud of myself for pushing through.
At the summit café, we enjoyed a hot chocolate and learned that it was over 15°C colder at the top compared to the base no wonder we were freezing!
The Descent – PYG Track
At 11:30am, we began our descent via the PYG Track, not quite realizing how technical and scrambly it would be. There were parts where we had to climb over small waterfalls, and at times I found myself sitting down to shuffle over rocks. I was exhausted. I couldn’t help but feel frustrated—I wanted to stroll down like everyone else, but with the limitations I live with, it’s never that simple.
Eventually, after a long, draining descent, we made it back to the car at 3:45pm.
A Personal Milestone
I had done it. I had climbed Mount Snowdon something I had only ever hoped I might one day be able to do. I was overwhelmed with pride. At the bottom, I celebrated with a well-earned glass of Coke (I was craving sugar!), while Ben opted for a Shandy. We sat again at Pen-y-Pass café, where we struck up a conversation with a fellow hiker who was planning his ascent the next day. Sadly, we didn’t exchange details—he had so many great hiking tips to share!
Final Thoughts
What an experience. What an achievement.
This journey meant more to me than just ticking off a mountain. It was about persistence, resilience, and proving to myself that I could do something I had long believed was out of reach.
A huge thank you to Ben my rock, my motivator, and my greatest supporter who waited at every stop, listened to every frustration, and reminded me every step of the way just how far I had come.
