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New research finds that the best view in Europe is in Wales

03 Jul 2024 2 minute read
Sunrise on Yr Wyddfa (credit: Amanda Kemp)

A new study has revealed which viewpoints around the world offer the clearest view, and are least likely to leave visitors disappointed.

We all know how beautiful it is on top of Yr Wyddfa with incredible views stretching for miles on a clear day.

So it is no surprise to discover that the UK’s highest peak has been voted the best viewpoint in Europe – and third globally.

With the summer holiday season upon us, the study from Premier Inn analysed 2023 weather data for nearly 100 viewpoints, including cloud coverage and average visibility, for 98 popular viewpoints around the globe. Each location was then scored on a 1 to 100 visibility scale to crown the world’s clearest views.

With a visibility score of 91 out of 100, Grouse Mountain in Canada was revealed as the clearest view, with the five viewpoints on the mountain offering spectacular views of Vancouver’s skyline as well as the Georgia Strait, Cascade Mountain Range and British Columbia’s South Coast. The Cerro Otto Panoramic Deck in Argentina followed in second (scoring 82) and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) ranked third (scoring 75).

As we know the Welsh summit is very popular with hikers and non-hikers alike thanks to the many route options and mountain railway.

Sunrise on Yr Wyddfa (Credit: Amanda Kemp)
Sunrise on Yr Wyddfa (Credit: Amanda Kemp)

Despite Britain’s reputation for poor weather, Yr Wyddfa scored an impressive visibility score of 75 ranking within the top three. On clear days, the view from Wales’ tallest mountain extends to Bannau Brycheiniog in the south and the peaks of Ireland to the west.

Surprisingly, British views feature more prominently than any other country in the top 20. Nine British views make the top 20 in total, with Pen Y Fan in Bannau Brycheiniog coming in at number 10, offering glorious views of the Usk Valley, reservoirs Talybont and Llwyn-on, and even the Cambrian Mountains on a clear day.

Pen y Fan sunrise. Copyright: Rudy Matthews
World’s clearest views

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Y Cymro
Y Cymro
1 day ago

Wales for its size has amazing landscapes & vistas. We have towering mountains, luscious forests, lakes, hundreds of castles , ancient monuments and coastline that would give the best in the world a run for its money. Am I surprised at this research that Wales has the best view in Europe? Not really. We have a stunningly beautiful country. I wish we’d scream from the rooftops more and started promoting Wales rather than demoting.

Last edited 1 day ago by Y Cymro
boda wennol
boda wennol
8 hours ago
Reply to  Y Cymro

But do we really need even more tourists blocking the roads and pushing up house prices?

John Powers
John Powers
6 minutes ago
Reply to  boda wennol

Tourists don’t buy houses. And roads are only blocked when people only know one place to visit. Publicise the rest and spread it around.

Riki
Riki
7 hours ago
Reply to  Y Cymro

Indeed, unfortunately what those other countries don’t have is a neighbour who detests them and a media machine that will stop at nothing to make our country look terrible. And ofcourse the job of that media Goliath is to turn our heads into thinking we live in a sh*tehole. When we don’t! Definitely put Wales in the top 10 countries worldwide alongside the likes of Switzerland, Austria, Japan, New Zealand etc.

Gareth Rees
Gareth Rees
1 day ago

What’s happened to Ben Nevis?

D Evans
D Evans
15 hours ago

Wales highest mountain is about the 19th highest peak in the UK. There are about 18 Munros in Scotland taller than any Mountain in Wales. Wales has the highest Mountain in Wales which is taller than any mountain in England also.

Frank
Frank
14 hours ago
Reply to  D Evans

The article is not about “highest mountains” it is about “best views”.

Steffan ap Huw
Steffan ap Huw
13 hours ago
Reply to  Frank

True, but the article falsely claims Yr Wyddfa to be the highest peak in the UK.

Frank
Frank
14 hours ago

I had to chuckle when I read the list at the end of the article. Wales and Scotland have two each but England has none listed. I wonder if it is why Wales and Scotland are listed as “United Kingdom” views!!! Lots of uneducated or understandably quite innocent people around the world do identify the UK as England and would naturally think that the views were actually in England!!! Ah well….

Riki
Riki
7 hours ago
Reply to  Frank

Indeed, the entire countries of Japan and Korea will think it England as they use the same word for both. And the “British” Embassy refuses to correct them! Just think about that for a second. That says there is an agenda to make people believe that Wales and Scotland don’t exist, or worse still, are regions of England.

Steve kay
Steve kay
8 hours ago

Are we talking about Mount Snowdon. If so call it by its proper name and not some made up Welsh rubbish.

Catrin Dempsey
Catrin Dempsey
8 hours ago
Reply to  Steve kay

Well we could call you a carrot which you could translate into Welsh. Yr Wyddfa is not made up. But the comment is just showing ignorance. Granted the article should just be in Wales and England but the area is very beautiful and one worth visiting

Riki
Riki
7 hours ago
Reply to  Steve kay

English is “made up”. More than you know lol!

CapM
CapM
6 hours ago
Reply to  Steve kay

No.
You’ve got Yr Wyddfa confused with Earl Snowdon which is some rubbish that was made up by German ex pats.

Frank
Frank
5 hours ago
Reply to  Steve kay

We also have Welsh words for Scaffold Pikey and 💩 stirrer.

Nigel Bradshaw
Nigel Bradshaw
7 hours ago

Anyone who thinks this hasn’t traveled much

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