If you’re planning to climb Snowdon via the Pyg Track, Miners’ Track or Crib Goch, you’re going to need to know about Snowdon parking at Pen-y-Pass.
These popular routes to the summit of Snowdon all start from Pen-y-Pass (roughly translating as head of the pass as this is the highest point on the A4086 between Llanberis and the world famous Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel). There’s not much at Pen-y-Pass other than the car park for Snowdon, the Snowdonia National Park warden’s office for Snowdon, a small cafe, some toilets and on the other side of the road you’ll find YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass. Pen-y-Pass is a little under six miles from Llanberis and will take around 15 minutes to drive.
You’ll find the Snowdon car park at Pen-y-Pass at LL55 4NU or ///brush.ringers.recline.
Parking at Pen-y-Pass has always been problematic due to its limited capacity. On weekends throughout the year and on busy summer days, the car park would often be full before 8am. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the Snowdonia National Park Authority who who manage the car park have made some changes to how the car park operates. The key change being that from around Easter to October, you must pre-book parking at Pen-y-Pass. You won’t be able to just turn up and pay. In addition, your booking must be made at least four hours in advance (this is done to deter people just turning up).
The minimum price for Snowdon parking at Pen-y-Pass is £18 for up to eight hours. If you need slightly longer, for eight to 12 hours it’s £25 and over 12 hours will cost you £40. You’ll need to know what vehicle you’ll be driving on the day as you have to provide the registration number during booking. Vehicle amendments are not permitted. There’s no overnight camping allowed in the car park and the maximum vehicle length is 5m.
IMPORTANT: There is no other parking available in the immediate area around Pen-y-Pass. The section of the road around Pen-y-Pass is a clearway meaning you cannot park or even stop your car for any reason other than an emergency. The Police regularly patrol the area. If you get caught you’ll be lucky to escape with a ticket as cars regularly get towed away at great expense and inconvenience.
How to pre-book your Snowdon parking at Pen-y-Pass
Pre-booking your Snowdon parking Pen-y-Pass is handled by JustPark. You’ll need to enter your arrival and departure date and time and JustPark will check availability. Beware it’s not unusual for busy weekends to be fully booked weeks in advance! If there’s no availability showing it’s worth fiddling with the times a little and this can often show extra slots. You’ll then be able to pay and secure your parking slot instantly. Keep your email confirmation safe in case there’s any issue on arrival.
Are there any alternatives to parking at Pen-y-Pass?
If you don’t want to pay to park at Pen-y-Pass then roadside parking is available on the A498 just up from the Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel at LL55 4NT or ///spun.rail.ulterior. These bays are managed by Gwynedd Council and are regularly monitored so don’t forget to get a ticket from the machine. Don’t be tempted to squeeze in if there’s no room as the Police regularly ticket cars with a wheel over the white line.
Don’t be tempted to walk back up the road to Pen-y-Pass. It’s dangerous and cars might not see you until the last second. Instead, there’s a lovely permissive footpath that takes 20-30 mins. Look for the blue footpath sign labeled ‘Llwybr Pen y Pass Footpath’.
Is there a Snowdon Park and Ride service to Pen-y-Pass?
Yes, and it’s really rather good! The small village of Nant Peris at the bottom of the Llanberis Pass sits in between Llanberis and Pen-y-Pass. Here you’ll find a large car park operated by Snowdonia National Park Authority near to LL55 4UF or ///websites.affirming.subtitle where a frequent park and ride service will take you up to Pen-y-Pass. Parking costs £5 for the day and payment is accepted by cash or card using chip and pin or contactless. The Shuttle bus is part of the Snowdon Sherpa service. Tickets are bought on the bus and contactless payment is accepted. Tickets cost just £2 for an adult single or £3 for an adult return (£1 for a child single and £1.50 for a child return) with a Snowdon Sherpa ‘hop on hop off’ day ticket costing £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. Dogs are welcome on all Snowdon Sherpa services.
