Five incredible trail running ascents of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

If you’re looking for challenging trail running, lots of ascent, knife-edge ridgelines and thundering descents, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) should be a destination high on your list. Yr Wyddfa is the highest peak in England and Wales, and the jewel of Eryri (Snowdonia National Park). It’s a trail runner’s mecca with a fine network of well-maintained mountain paths and something to suit everyone: the best horseshoe route in Britain; fast and rocky running on the Pyg and Miners Tracks; the long, grassy roller-coaster ridge of Moel Eilio followed by the quad busting descent of the Llanberis path; steep, scrambly sections on the South Ridge; and the wilder Rhyd-Ddu and Ranger loop.

There are six main trails to the summit, all with different characteristics. From the straightforward tough simplicity of the Llanberis Path and the relative ease of the Miners Track (it’s still challenging) to the wilder and longer Rhyd-Ddu. All the trails make a good out and back run, but combining some to form loops, and adding a few more technical variations, showcases Yr Wyddfa’s massive running potential.

This collection features some of our favourite loops that summit Yr Wyddfa. They are all challenging routes, ranging from 7.6 miles (12.2 km) with 2,231 feet (680 m) of ascent to 13.7 miles (22.1 km) with 4,462 feet (1360 m) of ascent. The paths are sometimes rocky and steep but they are all well maintained and easy to follow, as long as the visibility is good. Look out for the handy carved finger stones at the base of the paths and near the summit, pointing the way.

The classic Yr Wyddfa Horseshoe route includes sections of Grade 1 scrambling. In good conditions the moves aren't hard, but the consequences of a slip could be serious, or even fatal. Most of the hardest bits can be avoided by staying off the crest of the ridge but the difficulties and exposure can’t be entirely eliminated, so only try these routes if you're experienced and competent on mountain terrain. There are excellent running guides operating in Eryri if you’d like to run with an expert.

In good conditions these routes are fun days out in the mountains. Choose running shoes that grip well on rock and offer good underfoot protection. It's always a good idea to carry waterproofs, spare warm clothing, basic first aid, an emergency bivi bag, whistle, torch, compass and some spare food just in case. If the weather looks bad, and especially if it’s windy, the routes with exposed ridgelines are best avoided. In winter conditions with ice underfoot all of these routes are mountaineering challenges rather than trail runs, requiring specific skills and equipment.

There are car parks at the base of each route, so if you're driving use these and pay a little back to the National Park Authority, which maintains the trails. An excellent Sherpa bus service stops at the base of all five routes and runs from several of the local towns. The Sherpa bus is particularly good for the routes starting at Pen-y-Pass where parking is very limited and expensive. The closest train stations served by the Sherpa bus are in Bangor, Betws-y-Coed and Porthmadog.

Eryri is one of the outdoor centres of Britain, so you're spoilt for choice when it comes to adventure-friendly cafes, accommodation and of course outdoor shops. The main villages closest to these routes are Llanberis and Beddgelert. The Pen-y-Pass youth hostel and the National Trust Hafod-y-Llan campsites are both well placed for running these routes.