Is Scafell Pike Harder than Snowdon?

Climbed and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and looking for your next challenge? Considering the Three Peaks and want to know which is the most challenging peak?

You’ve come to the right place. With plenty of experience climbing both Scafell Pike and Snowdon, we have plenty of insight into how they match up and which is the tougher trek. While Yr Wyddfa is the taller of the two mountains, size isn’t everything, and a range of factors influence the difficulty level. In this article, we explore these considerations and help you come to an informed conclusion.

Distance and elevation

While distance and elevation statistics can be reductive and do not necessarily tell the whole story, they are a valuable starting point. Situated in the spectacular Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park in North Wales, Yr Wyddfa tops out at 1,085 metres. In comparison, England’s tallest mountain, Scafell Pike, reaches 978 metres. So you climb an extra 100 metres to make it to the top of Yr Wyddfa.

As there are several routes up both mountains, putting a precise figure on the distance you have to cover is tricky. Arguably, distance is not the best indicator of difficulty anyway. For instance, the easiest and most popular route up Yr Wyddfa, Llanberis Path, is a 14.5 km round trip. The much more challenging Pyg Track is only 11 km. In this instance, the extra distance on the Llanberis Path mellows the gradient, making it a little easier overall.

On Scafell Pike, the Wasdale Route is an 8.6 km round route, whereas the Borrowdale route is approximately 15 km in total. As you can see, distance and elevation are not always the best way of determining difficulty. Especially when you can choose between several route options.

Your choice of route

Your choice of route will have an outsized impact on how difficult you find the climb. In this respect, comparing Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa is an interesting exercise. In our opinion, the “easiest” route up Scafell Pike – the trail that departs from Wasdale Head – is a tougher proposition than the Llanberis Path. With steeper gradients and rougher terrain, the Scafell Pike is just a little more testing than the relatively shallow gradients and well-sculpted trails of Llanberis Path.

On the flip side, Scafell Pike has nothing that can compare to the challenge presented by Yr Wyddfa’s famously exposed ridgeline scramble – Crib Goch. The main takeaway is that you can tailor the difficulty to your desired level by opting for more or less challenging routes on both mountains.

Navigation

The physical challenge isn’t the only determinant of difficulty. In the mountains, navigation is also an issue. In this respect, Scafell Pike is probably the more challenging of the two mountains. Yr Wyddfa trails tend to be fairly easy to follow, are well marked and often have more walkers on them. But this does not mean you should take things for granted – all walkers should carry navigation aids and be comfortable using them.

In contrast, Scafell Pike’s trails are less established and there are spots where you can lose your way. This is particularly true of the summit, where walkers can become disorientated and have trouble navigating back onto the right path. When misty conditions set in, reduced visibility exacerbates the problem.

Weather and conditions

If you lack experience in the mountains, it is easy to underestimate the speed with which conditions can change. What starts as a beautiful sunny day can quickly turn to cloud, rain and fog, changing the climb substantially and adding to the difficulty. Similarly, the weather at the base of both mountains may not reflect the conditions at the summit. Temperatures will often be much lower, wind strength can increase dramatically and clouds can move in quickly.

Both Yr Wyddfa and Scafell Pike are renowned for changeable weather. So it’s not like one is worse than the other. But walkers must check the forecast before ascending – we recommend the MWIS and Windy – and ensure they are adequately prepared with appropriate clothing and equipment. Adverse conditions make everything – from the slippiness of the terrain to visibility – more difficult and, consequently, more dangerous.

Feel on the trails

There is also something to be said about the psychological impact of the two mountain environments. In general, Scafell Pike can feel more isolated, as the trails are harder to follow and less busy. This can be a positive for people seeking a more solitary mountain experience. However, those who enjoy a more social experience and draw confidence and comfort from the presence of others may prefer the more established (and often slightly busier) trails up Yr Wyddfa.

Scafell Pike vs Yr Wyddfa – the conclusion

We know you probably came here for a definitive answer. But there are so many variables that a direct comparison between Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa is almost impossible. While the physical challenge will depend on the route, weather, navigation and what kind of walking you enjoy will also influence the difficulty.

If we had to come to a conclusion, we would probably argue that, in good conditions, Scafell Pike’s Wasdale Head route is more difficult than the Llanberis Path up Yr Wyddfa. These being the two “easiest” routes up the mountains. However, we would add the caveat that Yr Wyddfa presents a greater challenge for those with the confidence, experience and skills required to take on Crib Goch or the Snowdon Horseshoe.

Climb Scafell Pike

At Climb Scafell Pike, we make the most of our local expertise and extensive training to organise and deliver enjoyable, empowering and memorable mountain experiences. Offering guided walks on both a group and private basis, as well as facilitating charity events and testing endurance challenges, we ensure you get the most from your visit to Scafell Pike. By helping you navigate the mountain, keeping you safe and providing fascinating insight into the natural environment, we take the pressure off and build your confidence in the mountains.