Europe’s best viewpoint is in North Wales – two reasons make it hard to reach

The best viewpoint in the whole of Europe is in North Wales. That’s the finding from research for the Premier Inn hotel chain.

They looked at two factors – the distance and sights people can see from a viewpoint – and also the potential for a clear view. When you consider the first metric it’s easy to see why the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) has come out on top across the whole of Europe.

The vista from the peak takes in the other mountains of Eryri and across to Ynys Mon (Anglesey) and the Llyn Peninsula. On a very clear day people can see even further afield – like across the Irish Sea to Ireland.

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The second factor is cloud cover. People who know the summit will be aware that the stunning view is not guaranteed with the weather at 1,085m in Wales highly unpredictable.

But the strength of the first metric has kept Yr Wyddfa top in Europe and third across the whole world – only Grouse Mountain in Canada and Cerro Otto Panoramic Deck come above it globally.

Given its height and the often inclement weather conditions reaching the summit is a challenge – and sometimes underestimated, unless of course you take the train. And then when you reach the top of the highest point in Wales there is also the second issue if you want the view from the actual summit point. That’s the queues that form to reach that final point – with waits of over an hour possible at busy times due to the fact 600,000 make this climb annually.

However once there and if you’re lucky enough to have a clear day – or even a clear 30 minutes – then you’ll get what judges reckon is the best viewpoint in Europe.

Pen y Fan in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park was sixth on the list.

Premier Inn said: “With the summer holiday season in full swing, many of us are starting to think about itineraries for upcoming city breaks and day trips. Holidaymakers are keen to make the most of their time in a new location – ticking off all of the major landmarks, seeing the best destination views and taking photos to remember the amazing trip.

“One of the most popular things to do on city breaks is going to the top of one of the tallest attractions for a bird’s eye view of your destination – not just to get your bearings, but to soak up the scenery. And it’s not just cities!

“The world is full of spectacular scenery, with hikes designed to take walkers around lakes, through forests and up mountains to treat them to some of the most breathtaking views.

“European destinations are among the most visited in the world, and with a perfect mix of city, mountain and coastal destinations, there really is something for everyone when it comes to capturing a stunning view.”

They added: “Ranking in the top three on the overall list, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in Wales takes the top spot for Europe. With many visitors flocking to Eyri national park each year, and the train offering a family friendly and accessible way to reach the viewpoint as well as hiking, it’s easy to see why around 600,000 visitors hike to the summit each year.

“Situated among several other jagged peaks, the summit of the mountain offers views over Anglesey, Pembrokeshire, and Ireland on a clear day. There are six different tracks to choose from to hike up to the top too! Alternatively, the Snowdon Mountain Railway runs from mid-May until the end of October.”

The full European list: