Snowdon / Wales – Third Summit of the Crown of Europe

Straight after Scafell Pike, I drove across the country to Wales – a 4.5-hour journey to reach Snowdon, the highest peak in the country. I had booked the car for just 24 hours, so my plan was tight: climb Snowdon early in the morning and return the car in Manchester before 11 AM.

I parked at Rhyd Ddu car park and slept in the car overnight, hoping for clear skies. But the next morning brought horrific rain — sideways, heavy, relentless. I waited and waited, but it only got worse.

Eventually, frustrated, I started driving toward Manchester — only for the rain to suddenly stop just 5 km away from the mountain. Without hesitation, I turned the car around, grabbed only my camera and phone, and ran straight back to Snowdon.

Racing the Clock

I took the Rhyd Ddu Path, starting late and knowing I had only 2 hours and 15 minutes to climb the mountain, descend, and drive back to Manchester to return the car. I pushed hard — and made the summit in just 1 hour and 15 minutes.

The top was chaos. The wind was fierce, the rain came down hard, and visibility was almost zero. I could barely stand at the summit. But there was no time to waste — I had to run back down, soaked and freezing.

I reached the car, changed quickly, and hit the road. Against all odds, I returned the car right on time at 11:00 AM in Manchester.

Helpful Links for Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa)

• 🔗 Rhyd Ddu Path Guide – WalkUpSnowdon
  A quieter and scenic route up Snowdon.
• 🔗 Visit Snowdonia – Official Info
  Trail options, weather warnings, and access tips.
• 🔗 National Park Authority – Snowdon Walks
  Info on all six main routes up Snowdon.
• 🌦️ Mountain Forecast – Snowdon (1085 m)
  6-day detailed mountain weather forecast.
• 🌤️ Met Office – Snowdonia Mountain Forecast
  Hour-by-hour wind and visibility updates.

Wrapping Up

Snowdon was absolute madness — weather swings, clock pressure, and a wild sprint to the summit. But I made it. Three peaks down in three countries, all within two unforgettable days.

The Crown of Europe is officially underway.