The Snowdon Mountain Railway has been carrying passengers to the summit of Wales's highest mountain since 1896, running on a rack-and-pinion system up 7.6 kilometres of steep track from Llanberis to the summit at 1,085 metres. The journey takes about an hour each way, with views that open up dramatically above the treeline — on a clear day you can see Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Wicklow Mountains.
The railway runs from late March to early November, weather permitting. Historic steam locomotives still operate on some services alongside modern diesel trains. Book well in advance in summer, especially for steam departures. The summit station has a modern café and visitor centre. If you want to walk up and take the train down — or vice versa — you can book a one-way ticket.