A question that seems to crop up quite often is:

“Can I take my dog up Snowdon?” – The simple answer is YES.

It’s very common for people to bring along there four legged friend(s) when they decide to go for a trek up Snowdon. With that being said, you should know a few things before you go right for it, for both you and your dog’s safety.

Depending on your dog’s ability, breed, size, nature… etc. will depend on how easy the trek up Snowdon will be for them. Many smaller dogs that aren’t used to long walks and unpredictable weather may struggle in parts, where the rocky terrain or chilly wind may get the better of them!

The average fit dog will be fine on the majority of routes. If you and your pooch aren’t familiar with rocky, scramble routes, then it is generally advised to avoid the Crib Goch route. The range of Snowdon routes offer different challenges and different mountain experiences for you and your dog, so picking which ones you will take up and down is important.

There are certain areas where your pup may get a little stuck between rocks or struggle scrambling over rocks, so this is where you may have to help them. You should also remember that walking for hours on rock and slate bare foot can be a real killer on the feet! So it’s recommended for some dogs to bring along some dog boots or bandages to help them out if they get sore or cut.

Dogs which have undergone proper dog training are more likely to behave properly on the mountain.

Some dogs can get scared of heights in areas, so you have to be able to help them out should they experience this. There are zones of most of the routes up Snowdon that have sheep living openly across fields where the path cross through, so it’s often advisable that you keep your dog on a lead (especially in lambing season) if you think they could go chasing. Another benefit to keeping your dog on a long flexible lead and harness is to make sure they don’t go and fall off a small cliff or rock! (Unfortunately it happens!)

A basic list of what you should have prepared for any trek with a dog up Snowdon is as follows:

• A long flexible lead
• A spare short lead
• Dog coat (to keep them warm in colder months)
• Plenty of water (although there are streams, its essential that you bring along some water for your dog)
• Dog food, snacks and treats (Dogs need their energy!)

All in all – if you have a dog that’s used to a good walk, well behaved and seems fit enough for a day out walking, then there are no problems bringing them along to enjoy the incredible trek up Snowdon. Visit the Snowdon Facebook page or leave a comment below to ask a question or leave some feedback!