As the train travels up the mountain, you’ll experience awe-inspiring views and uncover the mountain’s hidden secrets, from viaducts, waterfalls and gorges to the remnants of abandoned farms, chapels and medieval settlements.
Your journey to the summit starts at the picturesque Llanberis Station, where you can soak up the sights and sounds of billowing steam and relax, shop, eat and drink in our flower-lined forecourt before you make your ascent up through the clouds.
Soon after you leave Llanberis Station, the train crosses the first of two viaducts across the Afon Hwch River, where the Ceunant Mawr waterfall plunges majestically into the gorge below. You’ll then pass by Waterfall Halt and see a building that was originally a cottage residence once occupied by a local family.
The train next passes Hebron Station, named after the nearby Hebron Chapel. In 1833, the poor families in this valley joined together and raised enough money to build themselves a chapel. This would become their spiritual and cultural centre and was still habitable in 1966 when it was bought for just £450. Nature has now become its final tenant but its name still lives on.
Halfway Station is where the steam engines stop to refill their water tanks, ready for the final ascent. The original Halfway Hut, which blew down in a gale, was famous for its lemonade made from a secret recipe. From here, you can see the walkers down on the Llanberis Path to the right.
As the train leaves Halfway Station and the lush green valley below, it approaches the dramatic, sheer edge of Rocky Valley, a rock-littered landscape offering incredible views. Cars can be spotted like small ants down on the Llanberis Pass to the left, and to the right, views of the Llyn Peninsula become visible in the far distance.
Clogwyn Station is as high as the trains can go in early spring when ice or snow prevents trains from reaching the summit. Located on an exposed ridge overlooking Llanberis Pass and Clogwyn du’r Arddu, the station’s unsheltered viewing platform offers spectacular views. Nearby lies a group of huge boulders that once tumbled from the cliffs above, which is rumoured to be the home of a child-hunting witch named Canthrig Bwt.
One of the world’s greatest panoramas is revealed on arrival at Hafod Eryri, the UK's highest visitor centre, on the summit. From here, you can venture to the cairn, where, on a clear day, the views stretch out as far as Ireland. Standing here on the summit, young and old can embrace the invigorating atmosphere of Eryri - Land of the Eagles.
The current building, Hafod Eryri, on the summit of Snowdon first opened in June 2009. The name derives from the Welsh word for a summer dwelling on the mountain. It welcomes over six hundred thousand visitors a year and it’s not hard to see why, on a clear day the views can stretch as far as Ireland.
On arrival at Hafod Eryri you are welcomed into a modern, contemporary environment where you can relax and take in the incredible views to the valleys below. During your 30-minute stopover, you can venture up to the cairn which, at 1085m above sea level, is the highest point in Wales and England!!
Within the building is a café area serving a selection of ‘grab and go’ food and beverages to enjoy whilst taking in the panoramic views. Hafod Eryri is the UK’s highest re-fuelling station! Our gift shop stocks a range of unique souvenirs, clothing, and local produce; you can even send a postcard from the summit post box!
Hafod Eryri has no mains water or electricity supply, water is taken to the building by train and harvested from the roof. On average 9,000 litres a day are used throughout the summer months! All power for the building is produced by generators at the summit and fuel for these is also delivered to the building by train. It really is a remarkable operation!
Enjoy an authentic experience on our heritage trains. The Snowdon Lily and The Snowdon Mountain Goat are accurate reconstructions of the Snowdon Mountain Tramroad & Hotels Co Ltd. observation carriages, built on the original chassis and bogies from 1896 and pushed by original Swiss steam locomotives.
Seating only 34 passengers with a central aisle, our Heritage Steam Experience is ideal for passengers who prefer a little more room. Steam trains run from the 10th of June to the 13th of September (weather permitting), with departures running on weekdays only.
Travel in style in one of our contemporary carriages, pushed by a traditional diesel locomotive from 1985, which run to the summit from the 15th of May to the 27th of October and to Clogwyn Station ¾ up the mountain during the early season from the 23rd of March to the 14th of May (weather permitting).
Our diesel carriages can seat eight passengers per compartment. An Early Bird discount is available on the pre-booked 9:00am return service throughout the season, offering the best value for money.
