Big changes to parking access in Snowdonia as from today.

[PaulB]

At a loose end and want to go up Tryfan or another of those peaks in Gwynedd? You'll probably be out of luck. This has some benefits but also some big drawbacks.

The days of turning up on a whim and expecting to park are over. You have to pre-book and if all spaces are taken, you'll have to find somewhere else to go. That has the benefit of keeping the poorly prepared off the big hills and we should stop seeing that sprawl of badly parked hazards you always see up there in good weather. Another thing that will keep people away is the cost. It's £20 for up to eight hours, £30 for between eight and twelve hours and £40 for all-day parking. If it's a 1-2 peak bagging trek then £20 will see you through but if you want all the 3,000ers in one go, cough up £40 or move v fast between hills.

 

[oxoman]

Ouch. That will have a big impact on visitor numbers in Wales for sure. There loss though.

 

[fossyant]

The problem is the idiot parking though. The main roads on the passes are not wide, and folk dump cars everywhere, making it very dangerous. We did Snowdon a few years back, midnight hike - the car parks were empty. We're off to Llyn Padarn on Friday morning and camping at the new Arosfan, if we can get on - if not it's upto Nant Peris and camp near/at the Vaynol Arms, or head home. Rules are self contained, so water and a loo - we can do that in the van. No chairs etc, but we'll go to the edge of the lake for swimming/paddle board.

Peak season, then we avoid the mountains and the bank holidays.

 

[Gwylan]

What makes you rich will make you poor

 

[fossyant]

What makes you rich will make you poor

Quite, it's restricting it to people who can afford those prices, but it's come in because of all the selfish parking. If you want a space, get there early, very early. As a regular visitor, the local press shows the state of the bad parking on a regular basis.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Just one car park that is changing: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/major-change-snowdon-car-park-31358421

The car park: https://eryri.gov.wales/visit/snowdon/pen-y-pass-car-park/

 

[PeteXXX]

It was a tenner for the day at Pen Y Pass last time I visited.. As we were staying at the YHA it was free as long as we departed by about 09:00 from memory.. That's when the car park attendant turned up.
It's a pre-book Just Park now.

 

[fossyant]

Just one car park that is changing: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/major-change-snowdon-car-park-31358421

The car park: https://eryri.gov.wales/visit/snowdon/pen-y-pass-car-park/

Makes sense, but the lazy buggers will continue to clog the roads up there.

 

[T4tomo]

Just one car park that is changing: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/major-change-snowdon-car-park-31358421

The car park: https://eryri.gov.wales/visit/snowdon/pen-y-pass-car-park/

exactly and there is a park and ride just 3 miles down the road Nant Peris so its hadly the end of civilisation. Just a sensible measure to stop people turning up to small car park that is likely to be full and adding to the general congestion.

 

[wiggydiggy]

I'm fortunate enough to have gone up up a few times, both walking and by train! On a day like we're having at the moment I can only imagine how good the views will be from the top so I'd say there are going to be some dissapointed people arriving over the next few days.

Theres a whole network of busses that run, personally I'd be tempted to park up at Bangor where its cheap for parking and get the bus from there. https://www.sherparwyddfa.wales/map.shtml

 

[SpokeyDokey]

£30 for 8-12 hours is a lot of money, imo.

Been up all the big mountains in that area, many several times. Last time was Crib Goch en-route to Snowdon just before the Pandemic.

Can't say I have ever seen much of a parking problem in four decades of Welsh hill-hoofing up to that point. Always needed to get there early, though.

Maybe it has changed?

 

[fossyant]

Can't say I have ever seen much of a parking problem in four decades of Welsh hill-hoofing up to that point. Always needed to get there early, though.

Maybe it has changed?

Bit of sunshine and it goes crazy. Some very badly prepared people too. Lots of silly instagrammers/social media types.

 

[Ian H]

I believe there are buses.

 

[matticus]

£30 for 8-12 hours is a lot of money, imo.

Compared to what? Two people visiting a museum, or any decent restuarant? (neither of which will last anywhere near 8 hours!) Let alone price with +2 kids for an activity ...

We've* got used to free access to many things in this country ...

*where WE means motorists.

 

[DCLane]

I believe there are buses.

When I walked up Snowdon last July I parked down at Nant Peris for about £6 for the day and caught the bus for about £6 for an all-day ticket. The bus took me to Pen-y-Pass and I walked up the Pyg Track:

Then after a coffee and cake at the top (none of that on Ben Nevis / Scafell Pike!) I went down the tourist path to Llanberis for lunch. Then a bus back to the car; a lovely circular journey. Oh, and it wasn't wet all day:

Little did I know I'd be back three times within the next six weeks after son no. 2 had a car mechanical nearby.