7 min read
7 min read
If you’re planning a visit to Wales’ highest mountain, you’ve probably come across both Snowdon and Yr Wyddfa. You may also have seen Snowdonia and Eryri used to describe the surrounding area.
So, are they all the same place?
The short answer is no – although they’re closely connected. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or simply curious about the names, this guide explains the difference, the history behind them and answers some of the most common questions people ask.
Yes. Snowdon and Yr Wyddfa are two names for the same mountain:
Both names have been used for centuries, and you’ll still see both in everyday use. Some organisations now use the Welsh name exclusively, while others use both together to help visitors recognise the mountain.
No matter which name you use, you’re talking about the highest mountain in Wales.
This is one of the most common points of confusion.
Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) is a single mountain.
Snowdonia, known in Welsh as Eryri, is the national park that surrounds it.
While Snowdon is the park’s highest peak, Eryri National Park is home to many other mountains, lakes, forests, valleys and villages.
The Welsh name for Snowdon is Yr Wyddfa
If you’re visiting North Wales, you’ll hear many local people use Yr Wyddfa in conversation, and you’ll increasingly see it on signs, maps and visitor information.
Pronunciation: Ur WITH-va
The Welsh name for Snowdonia National Park is Eryri
Pronunciation: eh-RUH-ree
Like many Welsh place names, it can look unfamiliar at first, but once you’ve heard it spoken a few times it quickly becomes recognisable.
The name Yr Wyddfa is generally translated as “the burial mound” or “the tumulus”
The name is linked to Welsh mythology. According to legend, the giant Rhitta Gawr was defeated by King Arthur and buried beneath the summit, forming the mountain itself.
Whether viewed as folklore or simply part of Wales’ rich storytelling tradition, the legend has become an enduring part of the mountain’s identity and adds another layer to its remarkable history.
The English name Snowdon comes from the Old English words meaning “snow hill”
Its height means the summit has often experienced snowfall long after lower ground has returned to spring, making the name a fitting description.
Like many places in Wales, the mountain has both Welsh and English names that have developed over hundreds of years.
Yes and no.
The mountain has always had two names: Yr Wyddfa in Welsh and Snowdon in English. However, in recent years, the Welsh name has become the preferred official name used by many organisations, including local authorities and national bodies.
In 2022, the former Snowdonia National Park officially adopted its Welsh name, Eryri National Park, and the use of Yr Wyddfa for the mountain has also become increasingly widespread.
This does not mean the mountain itself has changed or that the name Snowdon has disappeared. Many people still recognise and use Snowdon, particularly visitors who know the mountain by its English name.
Whichever name you use, Snowdon and Yr Wyddfa refer to the same iconic peak.
Yr Wyddfa stands 1,085 metres (3,560 feet) above sea level. It is:
Its height, dramatic landscapes and far-reaching views have made it one of Britain’s best-known peaks.
Yr Wyddfa is located in Gwynedd, in North Wales, within Eryri National Park.
The mountain can be reached from several different starting points, including:
Each route offers a different experience, whether you’re walking to the summit or enjoying the scenery from lower down.
Yr Wyddfa is not owned by a single organisation. The mountain is made up of different areas of land with various ownership and management arrangements.
The Eryri National Park Authority plays an important role in protecting and managing the mountain, working with landowners, communities and organisations to care for this much-loved landscape. The Authority is responsible for the protection and enhancement of the National Park and works with partners to manage the challenges that come with welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
The summit area also includes facilities and infrastructure managed by different organisations, including the visitor centre at the top of the mountain.
Caring for Yr Wyddfa is a shared responsibility, helping to protect its landscape, wildlife and heritage for future generations.
Whether you know it as Snowdon or Yr Wyddfa, one thing remains the same: it is one of Wales’ most iconic landscapes.
Some visitors challenge themselves by walking to the summit. Others prefer to take in the scenery at a gentler pace, enjoying the changing landscapes as they travel through the heart of Eryri.
For those who would rather experience the mountain without the climb, Snowdon Mountain Railway offers a unique way to enjoy the scenery, travelling from Llanberis towards the summit while learning more about the mountain’s history along the way.
Whichever way you choose to experience the mountain, it’s worth planning ahead. Weather conditions can change quickly, even during summer, and popular dates can book up well in advance.
Is Snowdon now called Yr Wyddfa?
Yr Wyddfa has always been the mountain’s Welsh name. Snowdon remains the English name, and both are still widely recognised.
Are Snowdon and Snowdonia the same?
No. Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) is the mountain, while Snowdonia (Eryri) is the national park that surrounds it.
What does Yr Wyddfa mean?
The name means “the burial mound” or “the tumulus” and is linked to the legend of the giant Rhitta Gawr.
How do you pronounce Yr Wyddfa?
A close English approximation is “Ur WITH-va.” Welsh pronunciation differs slightly, but most Welsh speakers will appreciate visitors making the effort to say the name.
How high is Yr Wyddfa?
Yr Wyddfa is 1,085 metres (3,560 feet) high.
Where is Yr Wyddfa?
The mountain is located in Gwynedd, North Wales, within Eryri National Park.
