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Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Wales => Topic started by: Bucket on 18:23:01, 28/07/17

Title: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Bucket on 18:23:01, 28/07/17

Hi all


After receiving some great responses to a recent post I thought I'd try my luck again. My partner and I are walking Snowdon in a few weeks as part of a Charity event organised by her employers. We are hoping to park at Pen Y Pass early on the morning but we are unsure of the Charges and Payment methods accepted. Can anyone offer some assistance?


Regards Steve
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Bucket on 19:28:34, 28/07/17

Also, If anyone would be interested in sponsoring the event it can be found here


https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rvwpugh
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: ninthace on 19:31:52, 28/07/17

According to Parkopedia  £5 for 4 hrs, £10 all day, £250 for a year.
See also
http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/visiting/local-information/car-parking


A general tip for walkers - Parkopedia is a good source of information when you are looking for a jumping off point for a walk. GoogleEarth can also show small parking areas where people pull off the road. Useful for Dartmoor. Exmoor, Lakes etc but less so for Snowdonia which is inhabited by sabre toothed traffic wardens who will have you if you stop where you aren't supposed to.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 19:42:10, 28/07/17
Here is a great bit of advice.


Avoid Pen Y Pass, as their parking charges are a downright disgrace, a crisp £10 note, that's if you can get a parking place that is, and it fills up almost at the crack of dawn.


The payment warden, in his tiny hut on the left of the carpark, is so vigilant in possible payment dodgers, that he is up and down like an angry guard dog.


Ascend Snowdon from Llanberis, its still the same mountain your aiming to climb, and in doing so will add another tenner to your worthy charity cause,  and here is a special place to park for free, and its as safe as houses.

Not that i want you to avoid paying the sometimes excessive parking charges starting to emerge in and around Snowdon.


Just up the road, past the large Royal Victoria Hotel, you will come to a small row of cottages, and a now disused chapel, on the left hand side of the road, if your approaching from the Mountain Railway station side, and right hand side, if your coming from the Pen Y Pass daylight robbery side.

On the very corner, about 80yds past the last little cottage currently for sale, just opposite the slate sign saying Llanberis ( left side from Pen Y Pass- Right side llanberis), which will be on the right hand side of the road, there is a small opening down a rather unkempt tarmac hill, which leads to a parking area under some trees.

Currently there is a serious fly tipping issue there, but there's enough room to park around six or seven vehicles, and its totally free, and as safe as houses.

As its a public right of way, leading to a series of walks in and around llanberis, Gwynedd council have little option, but to leave this access open,  and its almost an impossibility to levy any parking charges there ( that's the situation at the moment)

Not many people are aware of its existence, that included me, until early this year, and ive been parking within a 100yds of it, for well over twenty years,without knowing it was there, but i now use it regularly.

Why should i pay excessive parking charges to a council, who already levy enough council tax off me, for living in Dyffryn.

During last months very hot weather, the huge carpark opposite the Llanberis Mountain Railway station, was full to the gills, annoyed visitors wanting to park, were turned away.

Less than half a mile down the road, in my little free car parking area, there was one solitary vehicle.

Now you know of its existence, make use of it, as in the past few years, tariffs for Britains most popular mountain, are heading towards the summit.

£10 for Pen Y Pass, £5 for the Llanberis supermarket sized area, and a fairly affordable £4 in and around the mountain.


Where does all this significant revenue go ?, into Gwynedd councils pockets,  and more likely than not, not  in the maintenance of the paths up you know where.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Glyno on 21:45:30, 28/07/17
I got some very useful advise from the girl serving in the cafe at Pen y pas regarding parking, and charges in the car park  ;)
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Bucket on 12:02:41, 29/07/17

I got some very useful advise from the girl serving in the cafe at Pen y pas regarding parking, and charges in the car park  ;)


Care to share this useful advice?
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: fernman on 13:14:19, 29/07/17
Here is a great bit of advice.

Found this on the map, thanks to your detailed directions.

It's a wonder the council haven't put a barrier across the entrance. Let's hope they don't see this thread!
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 20:01:01, 29/07/17
Feel free to tell your mates about this handy little parking area.
Somehow i recon the National Park and Gwynedd Council, have forgotten all about this parking area, as the fly tipping there is very distressing to behold.
I parked there one week, during the terribly hot and humid weather, and there was long standing litter strewn around the place.
Two weeks later, i used the same parking area, and there were two, full to capacity small carrier bags thrown on the ground.

This parking disgrace, is a designated area for a right of way to a delightful walk behind llanberis.

Somehow i think Gwynedd Council and the National Park, cannot place a barrier across the location, if they could, it would have been done years ago.

The Snowdonia National Park is generally a very clean advertisement for the beauty of Wales, but it was very distressing to see such a large amount of litter.

If i had spent the afternoon cleaning the rubbish myself, which i did think about, i know full well, it would be back to its sorry state within a few weeks.

If i draw Gwynedd Council and the Park to its present state, i may risk drawing it to their attention, and who knows what will happen.

It still remains a hidden corner to park ones car, when exorbitant parking charges are just round the corner.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: alewife on 20:26:27, 29/07/17
Theres a guy who collects the money, there may be a machine too, I can't remember. You will need to get there early if its a weekend to beat the crowds and guarantee a space as some bits seem to be for minibuses only (peeps start parking from 4am in summer!). The guy seems like a decent sort of bloke so no actual issues other than finding a space.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Glyno on 20:40:50, 29/07/17
to be honest, I'd feel a bit uneasy about leaving my car in the area described by DA - A secluded area up a narrow track hidden by trees and frequented by criminals?
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 21:02:32, 29/07/17
No need for any worries there Glyno.
I am especially careful where i park my cars, like yourself, i value my car, and would not park anywhere where i did not feel comfortable with.

There is constant traffic passing the area, and its not so secluded to allow a would be thief to try and break into your vehicle.
On more than one occasion, walkers have passed me going through the gate to the wooded walk, its a fairly busy right of way, so any opportunist thief would have to be desperate to break into a car.


Like yourself, i never leave anything of value in my car, even on display, or in the boot.


A car thief wants an easy picking, they see the item of value on full display, and if the theft will take them longer than a minute, they will move on to the next car.

Anyway, over the several months ive been using this parking area, ive been parked next to some seriously nice cars.
I remember talking to a couple from Manchester who had turned up in their 15plate Audi RS3, in gorgeous Red.

They had no qualms parking there, and its not as secluded as you think, its just an area most visitors do not know about.

My beloved Fiat 500 Abarth, has been parked there several times, once for over six hours, and it was constantly in my thoughts all day long.

Its not that i object paying parking charges, but i can see in the not too distant future, llanberis adopting the £10 parking charge.

Snowdon is such a magnet, that almost within reason, walkers would pay any sum.

Several years ago, i would have said, no way, £10 to park your car in Pen Y Pass, it will deter visitors.

I bet they could raise it to £20, and there would still be a full car park every day.

Special free parking places, are very few and far between, let's take advantage of them, as once their gone, its yet more expense, on a already expensive day out, for most of us.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: photonut on 10:17:07, 30/07/17
Hi DA,

A very informative and very helpful post - thank you.

[/size]Special free parking places, are very few and far between, let's take advantage of them, as once their gone, its yet more expense, on a already expensive day out, for most of us.

I agree whole-heartedly with you on this.  Car parking costs do seem to be on the up and are getting ridiculous, which as you point out add quite a bit of extra expense to a day out.

I'm always on the look out for safe free parking places, but they do seem to be getting harder and harder to find, so it's good when someone can point you in the right places.  Thanks once again for posting your parking info.

Cheers
Lee
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Ridge on 10:39:37, 30/07/17
As this has slipped in to a discussion about parking I am going to say something a bit controversial.


I have no problems paying for parking.


Last week I paid £8 to park in Coniston for the day. I could possibly have found cheaper or even free parking but it is only £8 which, compared to the cost of the petrol to get there or even my boots, is not a lot. We brought everything with us so didn't spend another 1p in the town Anything else I do will cost entrance fee or I will at least buy coffee and cake.


On our recent 5 days in the Lakes we spent about £25 per person per day on accommodation and food, that is all that went in to the local economy, worth every penny.

Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: jimbob on 11:12:35, 30/07/17
I agree with Ridge wholeheartedly.  The extra numbers of people going to these places create huge problems for local authorities.  A decent , safe car park for the day is a weight off anybodies mind and helps a wee bit towards the local economy.  At £8:00 for up to 24 hours is not exorbitant by anyone standards when compared to the price of a bag of chips and a nice icecream.

( I used the chips example because I was charged £3:00 for 20 chips at the Heckington Village Fair yesterday.)
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: fernman on 11:29:34, 30/07/17
to be honest, I'd feel a bit uneasy about leaving my car in the area described by DA - A secluded area up a narrow track hidden by trees and frequented by criminals?

Do you mind? You're describing where I live!

Seriously, I've had my car 12 years from new and apart fom paying the council £110 a year (currently; it goes up every year) for parking outside my house I'm proud to say I have never paid to park anywhere. There's always somewhere free if you look for it, even if it's a bit further to walk back. Take Llangollen as  one example - I can't remember what the charge is for the big car park but if you continue up the road you'll find a free space in one of the back streets. So £8 for Pen-y-pass is out for me, I simply rule that out as somewhere to start a walk from and I choose somewhere else, e.g. Beddgelert where I can leave my car on the road.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Ridge on 11:47:34, 30/07/17

Even further off topic but...

( I used the chips example because I was charged £3:00 for 20 chips at the Heckington Village Fair yesterday.)
15p a chip! I've nothing to say that the forum won't censor.

Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Penygadair on 11:57:14, 30/07/17
Well said Ridge - about parking - not about chips.  O0
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 19:47:44, 30/07/17
Its not so much the parking charges that worry me, but what Gwynedd Council do, with the substantial revenue generated by parking tickets and pay & display revenue.
It was only recently we were discussing the terrible lack of available revenue, to maintain the many paths up and around Snowdon.

Just google the article about Powys council purchasing a very expensive new automatic Audi for its chief executive.

For some reason, he wanted an automatic car, befitting his senior position on the council.

Local rate payers were really unimpressed, when council revenue went to the purchase of a stunning black new Audi auto, for the Chief Exec.


That's were the parking revenue is going, and as i am already a ratepayer in Gwynedd, i object having to pay exorbitant parking charges, when i know the revenue is being squandered.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Penygadair on 16:05:22, 31/07/17
OK, this is a waking forum rather than a political forum but.....



The situation with the car for the chief exec of Powys council is totally unconnected with parking charges or Council Tax in Gwynedd. My Counci Tax bill includes a levy for the Park Authority which is inadequate for their needs in maintaining the footpath network in Snowdonia.
Additional funding has to be found from somewhere and the visitor is fair game just as i am when I visit a city


I could gripe about those who drive from the Midlands park at one of the Cader Idris car parks for £4, climb the mountain and drive home without making any contribution to the local economy., but that's the way it is and will remain so unless someone can devise a means of extracting money from them.


You imply that Gwynedd squander money. Our Council tax is far lower than in most English counties yet we have to fund social care for an increasingly aged population many of whom have only recently moved here yet spend their days whingeing and moaning.


Sorry, rant over, but some things need to be said.





Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 22:01:01, 31/07/17
I totally disagree, as a similar thing happened with a Gwynedd councillor many years ago, receiving a totally inappropriate vehicle, paid with rate payers money.
Its what Gwynedd authority chooses to do with its substantial parking revenues.
The Snowdonia National Park attracts millions of visitors annually, and the National Park authority and Gwynedd Council are two separate authorities in the same area of NW Wales.

Funding for the National Park, comes from the WAG in Cardiff, and their in constant turmoil in trying to gather sufficient funds to repair the paths up Snowdon.

The majority of the National Park resides in Gwynedd, and its extremely questionable how much of the parking revenue returns to path maintenance.

Parking charges are alway's a thorny issue, and with charges as high as £10 being levied to access the mountain, how much of the substantial revenue is funnelled back for future generations?
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Mel on 22:24:22, 31/07/17
After following ninthace's link (which actually answered the original poster's question), I'm curious to know why the parking fee at Pen y Pass is double that of the rest of Gwynedd  ???
 
 
Anyway, even further off topic, I'm glad to see that the usual suspect has managed to thread hijack.... yet again  ::) 
 
 
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 22:55:50, 31/07/17
All carparks around Snowdon, are owned and run by the Snowdonia Park authority, but because Pen Y Pass proves to be one of the most popular routes up the mountain, the parking charges reflect this.
The parking fee is a crisp £10, simply because in conjunction with Gwynedd authority, parking is strictly monitored around the mountain.
Forget to pay your parking fee in any of the main carparks, or outstay your welcome, and the yellow tickets are issued with a vengence.

Some years ago, a blind eye was shown to poorly parked cars, especially up the llanberis Pass, but no more.

The only true safe area, for the lazy or unwary motorist, is a hundred or so yards beyond the PenY Gwyrydd hotel, where Gwynedd meets Conwy.

Policing Mt Snowdon, is big business, and who knows how expensive parking will become in the future.


Years ago, i could never have envisaged it costing £10 to park in the confined area of Pen Y Pass, but its popularity is increasing year on year.

If Conwy eventually join Gwynedd and start charging to park within walking distance of the mountain, then who knows where it will end.


More reason to seek out those rare forgotten hiding places that both National Park and Gwynedd council have forgotten about, they are certainly a rare commodity around the mountain.

Car insurance, tax, fuel etc, costs the average walker dearly, soon only the well heeled will be able to access the mountain.
Cannot afford the parking charges, make way for those who can, and are willing to pay.



Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Mel on 23:07:53, 31/07/17
..., but because Pen Y Pass proves to be one of the most popular routes up the mountain, the parking charges reflect this.

I find it difficult to believe this is the reason.  Do you have any proof this is the case?
 
PS.. It's not "Mt" Snowdon.... it's just "Snowdon"  O0
 
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 23:15:19, 31/07/17
No proof is needed.
Pan Y Pass, Bryn Gwynant, Rhydd Ddu, and more likely than not, the large carpark opposite the llanberis Mountain railway, are all owned and operated by the Snowdonia Park authority, based in Penrhyndaedraeth.
They have complete control over their maintenance, and levy of parking tariffs, for those who choose to use them to access the mountain.

If its £10 to park at Pen Y Pass, the only reason for it being so, is that the Park authority have set it at such an inflated level.


Access their main website, and there is a job application form for the employment of a revenue collector at Pen Y Pass, with a sallary of £19000.


The Park authority with their famous logo, of Snowdon capped in snow, is clearly visible throughout the national park, and especially at Pen Y pass.

The charges are not set by the Welsh Government in Cardiff, or Gwynedd Council.

All ownership and maintenance of the car parks is undertaken by the park authority, and they set the prices.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Penygadair on 16:35:02, 01/08/17
.
Its what Gwynedd authority chooses to do with its substantial parking revenues.


But then you go on to say that the Park Authority have the revenue from parking around Snowdon.


Yes, £10 is expensive for what you get. Put it up to £20 and Pen y Pass would still be full by dawn. Reduce the charge and it would have no impact. Park legally and securely in Llanberis or Nant Peris for £4 or in Betws y Coed for free and use the Sherpa bus.


One moment you say that path maintenance is necessary to protect the mountain for future generations (agreed) yet you seek to deprive the Park Authority of the means to fund this. You ignore the fact that much of Snowdonia is owned by the National Trust who also contribute to footpath maintenance. And for the record Gwynedd Councils contribution to the Park Authority both last year and this is £962k. You will find that figure on your Council Tax bill.


I can't find any job vacancies on the SNPA website today but I would not have thought that a salary of £19k for the Pen y Pass parking supervisor is excessive by today's standards given the flak and nonsense which has to be sorted out there with vehicles obstructing both the car and bus parking areas.


Those who belong to the "I want something for nothing" brigade or who have short arms and deep pockets should possibly avoid Snowdon altogether.

Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Mel on 21:33:57, 01/08/17
If its £10 to park at Pen Y Pass, the only reason for it being so, is that the Park authority have set it at such an inflated level.

All ownership and maintenance of the car parks is undertaken by the park authority, and they set the prices.

All very true but the question I asked was WHY is the parking at Pen y Pass double the price of the other car parks in the NP?  Perhaps I should have asked is "what justifies the difference in price?"  PyP being at the start of a popular route up is not a justifiable reason.  It's a rather churlish answer to say "because the Park Authority have set it at such an inflated level".  Where are you getting your information from please DA?
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 11:18:06, 02/08/17
I recon its because they know they have a never ending procession of walkers willing to pay it.
When someone has an almost monopoly on the parking in a specific region, they have total control over what tariffs are issued.

Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: snakehips on 17:19:30, 02/08/17
If I remember rightly they put it at that price to cover the cost of the new buildings that were built a couple of years ago plus the expense of the miners path being tarmaced the other point is the revenues from the national park car parks goes to the national park authority not the council and I for one think it's money well spent
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Penygadair on 19:11:19, 02/08/17
True. The tarmac on the Miners Path must have cost many thousands. Some might say it was a waste of money but it does allow the less able to have a taste of Snowdon.


The rebuild of the Miners from Llydaw to Glaslyn must have cost a bomb. Some years back i was talking to two guys from the then Upland Paths Partnership working on Cader Idris. At that date a single slabbed path was costing £100/metre. The Miners upgrade must have used at least 300 tonnes of granite @ £80/tonne plus helicopter delivery before thinking about skilled labour costs.


To bring all major paths in Snowdonia up to the standard required for the present visitor numbers will cost £milions
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Mel on 22:30:36, 02/08/17
If I remember rightly they put it at that price to cover the cost of the new buildings that were built a couple of years ago plus the expense of the miners path being tarmaced the other point is the revenues from the national park car parks goes to the national park authority not the council and I for one think it's money well spent

Thank you snakehips.  That seems like a much more sensible/rational reason  O0
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Charlieslater on 09:22:36, 04/08/17
Might be slightly off topic but I am going this weekend and have a question. Would like to get the Sherpa bus up, but, how do you get back. Do they run 24 hrs ? Would guess not.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Ridge on 09:25:29, 04/08/17
Timetable here


https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Residents/Documents-Residents/Parking,-roads-and-travel/Snowdon-Sherpa-Wyddfa-2017.PDF (https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Residents/Documents-Residents/Parking,-roads-and-travel/Snowdon-Sherpa-Wyddfa-2017.PDF)
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: fernman on 10:25:05, 04/08/17
Wow, that was really useful to me too! I might now make use of the Sherpa for a multiple-day walk I'm planning for next month. The problem was where to leave my car for 3-4 days when I couldn't go back to feed a pay-and-display machine each day. Dai's secret parking place is not on my planned route, nor would I be happy about leaving my car there overnight.
Now I can see I'll be able to park further away and get the bus in and back, so I've saved a copy of the pdf. Thanks for posting it Ridge.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 10:58:46, 04/08/17
It has nothing to do with the expense of bringing in the contractors to tarmac a section of the Miners path.
Its taken many years for the parking fee to reach £10, i can remember it being £5 for a very long time, its only in the past few years, that visitor numbers have gone through the roof.

If the tariff was raised to pay for expensive maintenance, why then has it remained at that level.

The tarmac section was completed two or so years ago, and the £10 charge still remains.

The only logical answer, is that most walkers are not prepared to park a considerable way from the mountain.

Once Pen Y Pass fills to capacity, which happens very quickly from May to September, walkers have no option but to park further down the road on the Capel Curig, Beddgelert road.

Just examine where the majority of vehicles get parked, on the Gwynedd side, nearer the Pen Y Gwyrydd.

Most visitors do not realise that Conwy do not charge for parking along the road, and ive regularly seen parking places closer to Capel Curig, when irate drivers cannot find a space in Gwynedd, they want to be as close to Pen Y pass as possible.

Gwynedd council and the Park authority, have sawn up the parking facilities between themselves, knowing that the majority of walkers want to park as close as possible to the mountain.

In high season, as soon as someone leaves the Pen Y Pass carpark, and there's an available space, its taken up quickly.

This is why its £10 to park there, as the revenue in high season, is considerable.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Charlieslater on 11:56:04, 04/08/17

Timetable here


https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Residents/Documents-Residents/Parking,-roads-and-travel/Snowdon-Sherpa-Wyddfa-2017.PDF (https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Residents/Documents-Residents/Parking,-roads-and-travel/Snowdon-Sherpa-Wyddfa-2017.PDF)


Many Thanks
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: fernman on 12:36:14, 04/08/17
I might now make use of the Sherpa for a multiple-day walk I'm planning for next month. The problem was where to leave my car for 3-4 days when I couldn't go back to feed a pay-and-display machine each day.

Slightly off topic again, but this might be helpful to other forum users.

I contacted SNPA yesterday about leaving my car in a car park for a few days, and this morning I received a reply suggesting I send them the make, colour and registration number of my car beforehand to forewarn them, and then when I start my walk I buy three full day tickets (at £5 per day in most of their car parks other than Pen-y-Pass) and display all three on my dashboard.

I hope this could apply to anyone, and that I was not being offered preferential treatment!
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: snakehips on 17:15:16, 04/08/17
So what's the problem if you don't like paying park somewhere else I can't imagine any locals parking there most park elsewhere and use the sherpa bus which is subsicised by the council. If you go to Liverpool,Manchester,or Chester shopping you will pay a dam side more than a tenner for the day.
Most of the users of pen y pass are 3 peakers that's why it fills up early so if they're willing to pay at least the money goes to maintain the mountain which it certainly needs with all the footfall on it
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 18:09:55, 04/08/17
Regarding the purchase of three independent parking tickets, to park ones vehicle for a full three days.
The ticket machines only issue a ticket for that particular day, with the time of arrival, and day of issue.
Unless Gwynedd Council and the National Park office, have issued directions to their parking officials, i would feel uncomfortable in placing three tickets with the same date stamped on them.


I cannot remember seeing this mentioned on any of their pay & display boards, around the park, but i suppose not many visitors would take advantage of such a facility.


If i received a yellow parking ticket, for overstaying my welcome, i wonder what their response would be, if i told them i had paid three times, on the same day.


Ignorance of the law, is never an excuse when trying to wriggle out of a hefty penalty fine, and where does it mention it, on their pay and display boards.


This is certainly a bit of National Park legislation, that very few visitors have heard about, but i suppose disclosing every tiny detail about your vehicle to them, would be the answer to this issue.

Next time i pass their offices outside Porthmadog, i would certainly love to have this clarified, as this is certainly an aspect of parking in and around the mountain, that few of us knew about, even if few of us would need such a facility.

Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: stuartpb on 10:02:07, 17/08/17
We were at Snowdon a couple of weeks ago and got to Pen y Pass about 0700hrs, after a 3 1/2 hour drive and it was full then. There is a park and ride car park just outside of Llanberis where you can catch a bus up to Pen y Pass or get a taxi as there is a rank there. My mate and I shared a taxi with 2 ladies and 1 child so it worked out at £2 each. The taxi drivers must be making a killing there!!  ;D


The park and ride car park was almost empty when we got there so there was plenty of room available.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: fernman on 10:17:22, 17/08/17
Regarding the purchase of three independent parking tickets, to park ones vehicle for a full three days.
The ticket machines only issue a ticket for that particular day, with the time of arrival, and day of issue.
Unless Gwynedd Council and the National Park office, have issued directions to their parking officials, i would feel uncomfortable in placing three tickets with the same date stamped on them.

Dai, this is an exact copy of the reply I received from SNPA. Note carefully the second sentence:

"The best way forward for parking for your trip is to buy three full day tickets (£5 per day) and display all three on your vehicle  dashboard. If you could supply me with your vehicle make, colour and reg. no we will then be aware of what has happened."
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Penygadair on 11:26:52, 17/08/17
Sounds good but I would be inclined to take a photo of the tickets displayed on your windscreen. Just in case.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 13:28:17, 18/08/17
The easiest solution to all this getting ripped off to park business, is to simply park on Conwy's side of the mountain.
Granted it may be an extra mile or so to walk to Pen Y Pass, but if your really intent on blowing a tenner, pop along to either the Ogwen Mountain rescue hut, below Tryfan, or the rescue lads in llanberis.
I bet your donation would be well accepted.

Just imagine if only a small percentage of the visitors , who regularly use  Pen Y Pass refused to park there, and on their way home, donated that tenner to the gallant MR volunteers.

I bet none of that parking revenue reaches their coffers, and if some of it does, it will be a tiny fraction of what the Park authority take every year.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Mel on 18:32:44, 18/08/17
The easiest solution to all this getting ripped off to park business, is to simply park on Conwy's side of the mountain.
Granted it may be an extra mile or so to walk to Pen Y Pass, but if your really intent on blowing a tenner, pop along to either the Ogwen Mountain rescue hut, below Tryfan, or the rescue lads in llanberis.
I bet your donation would be well accepted.

Just imagine if only a small percentage of the visitors , who regularly use  Pen Y Pass refused to park there, and on their way home, donated that tenner to the gallant MR volunteers.

I bet none of that parking revenue reaches their coffers, and if some of it does, it will be a tiny fraction of what the Park authority take every year.



You can blather on 'til the cows come home about the whys and wherefores of what happens to the money taken at the PyP car park.  Top and bottom of it is.....if people are willing to pay the tenner to park at Pen y Pass, they will.  If they're not, they'll look for alternatives.  It really is that simple  O0
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 18:45:55, 18/08/17
It certainly is, i quite agree, but over the past decade, parking anywhere near the mountain without incurring any significant parking levy, is becoming almost impossible.
The numerous parking places along the stretch of the llanberis Pass, are now no go areas, when not that many years ago, you were left alone, if you parked in a small pull in.


Park there at your peril, today you will get a yellow ticket, its virtually guaranteed.
The entire road from the Pen Y Gwyrydd, almost as far as Beddgelert, is subject to some parking restrictions, and even the numerous pull ins, throughout the roads length, have limited stay periods.

You could park at the side of the road, opposite Llyn Gwynant, but its a heck of a long way to the top of the mountain and back, so thats not really an option.

The fact is, that few people are willing to seriously walk any distance, to gain access to Snowdon, and the National Park realise this.

Its already a significant expense to drive to snowdonia, so why should we be crippled by outraegous parking charges.

The vast majority of visitors to Pen Y Pass are clueless on where to park, other than the designated parking places, they have no option but to grin and bare the hefty price, if there's an opportunity to avoid downright commercialism, i will take it.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Mel on 19:16:49, 18/08/17
You're preaching to the converted on this forum DA.  You should post your musings on a day trippers adventure up Snowdon forum.
Title: Re: Pen Y Pass Advice
Post by: Penygadair on 19:38:13, 18/08/17
Snowdon is now one of the UK's major tourist attractions whether you are walking up or taking the train.


The adult return train fare is between £29 and £37 so a family of two adults and two kids will shell out £100 for the privlege of 30 minutes on the summit. And before anyone points a finger at the National Park, the railway is owned by a Gibraltar leisure company.


That puts parking charges in perspective. The bottom line is that if you don't want to spend a tenner, walk somewhere else.