The Hike: Hot, Hazy, and Totally Worth It

We set off from Llanberis as the evening cooled slightly, with my Garmin watch clocking around 9.5 miles for the full round trip. The air was still heavy with heat—temperatures hovering in the high teens even after dark—and a sticky humidity hung over the trail. We were definitely feeling every step of that incline. But going in a small group of three, with plenty of chatting made is a dream of a hike!

By the time we reached the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) just before sunrise, it was still warm—especially for that elevation. As we sat waiting for the sunrise, we layered up, and boy was it needed. If I did this hike again, I'd certainly take even more layers.
And the conditions? Let’s just say it wasn’t one for the postcards. It was busy and breezy, so I didn't fly my drone at the top! Nevertheless I did whizz 'Dynamite' (the drone) out a little lower down, with multiple strong wind messages - I wanted to capture something!

Sunrise at the Summit (Sort Of)

We were hoping for a picture-perfect sunrise over the peaks, but nature had other ideas. Thanks to a solid wall of heat haze, the views were seriously muted. The golden hour glow was there—but the vast mountain vistas you normally get from the top of Snowdon were swallowed up in a soft, blurry mist. Still stunning to see, but not the picture perfect moment I envisioned!

It wasn’t dramatic or Instagram-able, but it had its own strange, dreamlike beauty.

Weather Conditions – Friday 21 June 2025

The heatwave was in full force. In the lower valleys like Llanberis, the temperature hit around 28°C during the day, dipping to around just 17°C overnight. Even up on the mountain, we never needed a jacket. There were some light evening showers (that missed us) and humid conditions all through the climb. Visibility was Clear enough even with the haze, and gentle breezes offered little relief.

If you're planning your own sunrise hike up Snowdon in summer, go in light layers and plenty of water, ensure you pack plenty of layers for the peak! — you’ll need it.

Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely. Even without the killer sunrise, this impulsive overnight adventure in Snowdonia reminded me why I love dropping everything and heading for the hills. There’s something magical about moving through a sleeping landscape, with only your headtorch and instincts guiding the way. The lack of views in the dark of the night, in contrast to the decent with all the scenery to take in!

And that swim? Honestly, it made the whole thing. If you’re in Llanberis on a hot day, don’t skip the water — you won’t regret it.