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Tourist train · Conwy, País de Gales
Snowdon Mountain Railway
The rack railway that has climbed from Llanberis to the summit of Yr Wyddfa since 1896, operated with steam and diesel locomotives, in a journey of about 1 hour to the Hafod Eryri visitor centre in season.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Snowdon Mountain Railway
The Snowdon Mountain Railway is the only public rack railway in the United Kingdom. It opened in 1896 and climbs about 7.6 km from the village of Llanberis to near the summit of Yr Wyddfa, the highest mountain in Wales, gaining around 950 metres of elevation. The tracks have a rack in the middle that meshes with the locomotives' pinion wheels to overcome steep gradients.
The ascent takes about 1 hour, with stops to pass other trains, and passes waterfalls, sheep pastures and the rocky slope, with views over the lakes and valleys of Eryri. Some services use steam locomotives from the late 19th and early 20th centuries with carriages modeled on the originals, while others use diesel or hybrid locomotives. At the top, the station is next to Hafod Eryri, the summit visitor centre, with a café and large windows.
The train typically runs from spring to early November, with advance booking. During some periods of engineering work and in bad weather it only goes as far as Clogwyn, about three quarters of the way up, from where you cannot continue by train to the summit. Return tickets include around 30 minutes at the top; there is also the option to go up by train and descend on foot, subject to availability.
The Llanberis station is on the village's main street, near Lake Padarn and the Museu Nacional da Ardósia, which shows the area's former quarries.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 2.5 hours round trip, with around 30 minutes at the top.
Best time
In season, preferably on a clear day, on the early morning services. Check when booking whether the train will reach the summit or only Clogwyn on that date.
How to get there
The station is in Llanberis, about 40 km from Conwy, roughly 45 minutes by car. By bus, services run from Bangor and Caernarfon to Llanberis, and the Sherpa'r Wyddfa bus links the park villages.
Tip
Book in advance and, if available, opt for a steam service. On the return, visit the Museu Nacional da Ardósia on the shores of Lake Padarn in Llanberis.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Snowdon Mountain Railway
Does the Snowdon train operate year-round?
No. It usually runs from spring until early November, with advance booking.
Does the train always go to the summit?
No. During maintenance periods or bad weather it only goes as far as Clogwyn, about three quarters of the way up. Check when booking.
How long does the journey take?
About 1 hour to go up, with around 30 minutes at the top and the return.
Can you go up by train and descend on foot?
There are one-way tickets for that, subject to availability.