By now, the groundbreaking technology behind Google Street View isn’t particularly new or groundbreaking. We’re all so used to being able to pound the streets of Rio, explore the highways of America or take a trip around the Arc de Triomphe and explore streets, roads and motorways in cities and towns across the world, all in glorious 3D technicolour and all from the comfort of our own sofa. Thanks to Google Street View, it has become possible to “walk” down most of the world’s roads and street with nothing more than a decent internet connection. No passport required….

Thanks to the team at Google Street View this vision has been a reality since 2007 when Google Street View was first launched and since then the project has gone from strength to strength. Used for sofa tourism, journey planning or simple curiosity (“is that my house?!”), it is a classic example of internet technology that has quickly become part of our everyday life.

Until recently, Google Street View was confined to roads – Google cars with cameras on the roof drive up and down the world’s roads capturing images of the streets and roads which are then stitched together to provide an easy mapping technology for the user. However, the technology has also been stretched to tricycles, boats and now to walkers, so that Google can bring Street View to far more than just our streets. Google have just launched Snowdon Street View!

Image by z22 via wikicommons

Volunteers recently walked to the summit of Snowdon (along with the highest peaks in Scotland and England), armed with backpacks containing Google’s special film cameras. This allowed the walkers to capture full 360 degree footage of our stunning mountain so that sofa surfers around the world can see what it’s like from the top, without lifting a foot! And it wasn’t just one route up and down that the walkers tackled wither – they recorded all the main footpaths to the summit, as well as other popular routes in Snowdonia National Park such as Cadair Idris, Cwm Idwal and the Mawddach Trail.

We wholeheartedly agree that using Snowdon Street View to see views from stunning Snowdon wherever you are in the world is a great advantage of modern technology, as well as being able to help walkers plan and prepare for their routes in advance. It’s a real case of ultra modern technology meeting ancient landscapes.

However, we definitely believe that there’s no feeling quite like conquering Snowdon for yourself, and witnessing the absolutely beautiful views with your very own eyes. So if Snowdon Street View inspires you to come and visit us here in Snowdonia, then Croeso, Welcome! We can’t wait to meet you, here at the Oakeley Arms.

And if you’re curious…. you can see the Snowdon Street View here (as well as lots of other local landmarks)

You could soon see gorgeous views like this – from your armchair! Image by John Lynch on wiki commons