Is Snowdonia safe?
Very low crime. The real danger is mountain weather and unprepared hikers on Snowdon and the ridges.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-07.
- Homicide rate in United Kingdom: 1.1 per 100,000 people (2021, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United Kingdom: 3.2 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999 · All emergencies 999.
Safety in Snowdonia at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Occasional car break-ins at trailhead car parks. Violent crime against visitors is very rare. |
| At night | Villages are very quiet and safe after dark. Pavements are short and roads unlit; taxis are few, so arrange rides. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women, including hikers. Tell your accommodation your route and return time. |
| Other risks | Fast-changing mountain weather, mist and cold on Snowdon; Winter ice and snow on summit paths; Slippery rock and steep drops on Crib Goch |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake holiday-cottage listings asking for deposits upfront
Take care
- Valuables left visible in cars at trailheads
- Hiking without map, layers and a charged phone
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Riding a private e-scooter on public roads or pavements is illegal; only official rental schemes are allowed.
- Carrying a knife in public without good reason is illegal, including locking or long folding blades.
- Cannabis is illegal, and drinking alcohol is banned on London public transport.
How Snowdonia compares in United Kingdom
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Edinburgh | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Oxford | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Bath | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Cambridge | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Scottish Highlands | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Isle of Skye | 5/5 · Very safe |
| York | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Lake District | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Cornwall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Cotswolds | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Snowdonia | 5/5 · Very safe |
| London | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manchester | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Liverpool | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Glasgow | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Brighton | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bristol | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Belfast | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cardiff | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Newcastle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Leeds | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Birmingham | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Snowdonia safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women, including hikers. Tell your accommodation your route and return time.
Is Snowdonia safe at night?
Villages are very quiet and safe after dark. Pavements are short and roads unlit; taxis are few, so arrange rides.
What is the crime rate in Snowdonia?
Occasional car break-ins at trailhead car parks. Violent crime against visitors is very rare. Nationally, United Kingdom records 1.1 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2021).
What number do I call in an emergency in Snowdonia?
Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999 · All emergencies 999.
More about Snowdonia
Going to Snowdonia solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Eryri National Park Authority
- Transport for Wales
- Snowdon Mountain Railway
- Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.