Llanberis Pass - rugged road and climbing challenge
Extending for just over 5 miles from Llanberis to Pen-y-Pass, the Llanberis Pass in Snowdonia has been the star of many a car advert due to the impressive backcloth of a drive along this dramatic open road.
It’s a rugged landscape from the moment the road leaves Llanberis. It then passes through the hamlet of Nant Peris amid a boulder-strewn, lunar-like landscape. Cliffs and buttresses tower above the road on both sides, many speckled with the bright colours of kitted-out rock climbers. There are a few lay-bys to pull into, but parking and stopping are generally limited. There are some great walking routes around here, however.
Attractions include the steep north face of Crib Goch, best viewed to the left when driving up from Llanberis to Pen-y-Pass.
The popularity with rock climbers led to the British 1953 Mount Everest expedition training in the area, based at the Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel at the eastern end of the pass.
At Pen-y-Pass there is a car park and a cafe, and three different footpaths set off up Snowdon, as well as two others to the east leading to the summits of Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach.
Further reading
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