When I have ridden Snowdon I have always started
from the same place. Coming into Llanberis from the
Caernarfon direction on the A4086 there is a car park
on the left as soon as you enter the town, by the Llyn
Padarn (GR577607). This route guide gives the three
options for descending the mountain after climbing the
Llanberis Trail.
1. To start the ride turn left on the road and follow it
to a junction just after the Snowdon Mountain Railway
station (GR583596). Turn right and get your legs
ready for the first short climb where the road becomes
steep with a capital 'S'. Go past the house on the left
at the top of the climb and continue along the lane to
the gate on the right hand bend. Once through the
gate follow the lane right, up a short climb, to the sign
on the left indicating the start of the Llanberis Trail.
2. This sign directs you through a gate that is the
start of the off road ascent (GR582589). The first
parts of the trail gives a good indication of what is to
come with some tricky rock sections. What follows is
very challenging, with a mixture of boulders, loose
from the same place. Coming into Llanberis from the
Caernarfon direction on the A4086 there is a car park
on the left as soon as you enter the town, by the Llyn
Padarn (GR577607). This route guide gives the three
options for descending the mountain after climbing the
Llanberis Trail.
1. To start the ride turn left on the road and follow it
to a junction just after the Snowdon Mountain Railway
station (GR583596). Turn right and get your legs
ready for the first short climb where the road becomes
steep with a capital 'S'. Go past the house on the left
at the top of the climb and continue along the lane to
the gate on the right hand bend. Once through the
gate follow the lane right, up a short climb, to the sign
on the left indicating the start of the Llanberis Trail.
2. This sign directs you through a gate that is the
start of the off road ascent (GR582589). The first
parts of the trail gives a good indication of what is to
come with some tricky rock sections. What follows is
very challenging, with a mixture of boulders, loose
scree and some flatter rocky hardpack. There are some sections that are always a push, mainly in the top third, but in
good conditions the trail is about 70% ridable. The bonus here though is when it gets a bit too much you can have a rest
and take in the awesome scenery. Once you reach the top (GR610544), taken the photos and soaked in the views, if you
good conditions the trail is about 70% ridable. The bonus here though is when it gets a bit too much you can have a rest
and take in the awesome scenery. Once you reach the top (GR610544), taken the photos and soaked in the views, if you
are lucky enough, the mountain has to be descended.
3. This is where a choice has to be made on which descent to take off the mountain. There are three options which are
as follows........
as follows........
The Llanberis Trail
The simplest option is to go back down the Llanberis Trail. I have found this trail
to be 100% ridable and great fun. It is not easy though. There are steep scree
slopes, large rock steps and fast flowing sections to tackle. Make sure you have
enough pressure in your tyres and some decent brakes. There is definitely the
potential for loss of control at high speed so brake fade is the last thing you want.
It is also a popular place with walkers so it is best to find a time when foot traffic is
light or you will be slowing down every 10 meters.
to be 100% ridable and great fun. It is not easy though. There are steep scree
slopes, large rock steps and fast flowing sections to tackle. Make sure you have
enough pressure in your tyres and some decent brakes. There is definitely the
potential for loss of control at high speed so brake fade is the last thing you want.
It is also a popular place with walkers so it is best to find a time when foot traffic is
light or you will be slowing down every 10 meters.
The Snowdon Ranger
After touching the trig point (GR610544) descend back to the standing stone at
the view point and look left towards the railway track for the top of the Snowdon
Ranger (GR607548). Ride down to the rails then turn right and follow the track for
a few 10s of meters. Turn left over the rails and descend on the fast, sweeping,
loose trail. After a long left turn the trail comes to a steeper section where things
start to get technical with the rocks becoming increasingly larger. The greater
rockiness is combined with chutes, steps and tight switchbacks, proper pick your
way down type of stuff. This ends with a section of about 30m of big rocks that I
couldn’t ride. Following this the trail flattens out a bit on a fast gravely trail with a
great view of Snowdon on the left. Don’t get distracted by this as you can wait till
the gate a little further on (GR586556). Through the gate the trail becomes a bit
boggy in sections but still very ridable. After a while a drystone wall comes in from
the view point and look left towards the railway track for the top of the Snowdon
Ranger (GR607548). Ride down to the rails then turn right and follow the track for
a few 10s of meters. Turn left over the rails and descend on the fast, sweeping,
loose trail. After a long left turn the trail comes to a steeper section where things
start to get technical with the rocks becoming increasingly larger. The greater
rockiness is combined with chutes, steps and tight switchbacks, proper pick your
way down type of stuff. This ends with a section of about 30m of big rocks that I
couldn’t ride. Following this the trail flattens out a bit on a fast gravely trail with a
great view of Snowdon on the left. Don’t get distracted by this as you can wait till
the gate a little further on (GR586556). Through the gate the trail becomes a bit
boggy in sections but still very ridable. After a while a drystone wall comes in from
2/3rds it is possible to get back on and ride. Follow the grassy trail up to the gate at the top (GR572558).
5. Through the gate take the rocky track descending down the left hand side of the valley. This trail is quite good even
with the amount of water bars on it. Towards the bottom of the descent the trail turns to tarmac. At the point where the
road turns off to the right and straight ahead is a gate (GR573591) follow the road right, past Llanberis YHA, and back into
Llanberis. At the junction with the main road through Llanberis turn left and ride to the junction with Petes Eats on the
corner. Turn right and return to the car park.
5. Through the gate take the rocky track descending down the left hand side of the valley. This trail is quite good even
with the amount of water bars on it. Towards the bottom of the descent the trail turns to tarmac. At the point where the
road turns off to the right and straight ahead is a gate (GR573591) follow the road right, past Llanberis YHA, and back into
Llanberis. At the junction with the main road through Llanberis turn left and ride to the junction with Petes Eats on the
corner. Turn right and return to the car park.
Rhyd Ddu
Finally there is the Rhyd Ddu track. The top of this track can be found by the far corner of the cafe from the summit trig
point (GR609543). Ahead the track can be seen traversing a thin ridge and is mainly a push and carry. There happened
to be a couple of inches of snow when we did this to make it even more interesting. If you don't like walking along a 6 inch
point (GR609543). Ahead the track can be seen traversing a thin ridge and is mainly a push and carry. There happened
to be a couple of inches of snow when we did this to make it even more interesting. If you don't like walking along a 6 inch
wide track holding on to rocks with one hand and holding your bike over a couple of 100
meter sheer drop with the other I wouldn't go this way. Fortunately not much height is lost
on the ridge.
4. Just near the end of the ridge section (GR604537) the trail splits into two. To the left a
little summit (not descending straight away as on the map link) and to the right the trail
carries on descending. It is the right hand direction which is the correct one, don't look
down though as the hole is very big. At this point your bike can be remounted as the trail
comes to some fencing and through a number of switchbacks. With these negotiated the
ground flattens out slightly and eventually comes to a gate in a drystone wall. Through the
gate the trail parallels the ridge for a while before dropping off to the left. With the left
comes a steepening in the trail and the start of some serious rock gardens. They go on for
ages and are a good test of skill and nerve. After a short walk down the last particularly evil
section the trail flattens out and the boulder fields disappear. This point seemed as good as
any to take on some food, mine being an experiment with hot cross buns and hot mango
meter sheer drop with the other I wouldn't go this way. Fortunately not much height is lost
on the ridge.
4. Just near the end of the ridge section (GR604537) the trail splits into two. To the left a
little summit (not descending straight away as on the map link) and to the right the trail
carries on descending. It is the right hand direction which is the correct one, don't look
down though as the hole is very big. At this point your bike can be remounted as the trail
comes to some fencing and through a number of switchbacks. With these negotiated the
ground flattens out slightly and eventually comes to a gate in a drystone wall. Through the
gate the trail parallels the ridge for a while before dropping off to the left. With the left
comes a steepening in the trail and the start of some serious rock gardens. They go on for
ages and are a good test of skill and nerve. After a short walk down the last particularly evil
section the trail flattens out and the boulder fields disappear. This point seemed as good as
any to take on some food, mine being an experiment with hot cross buns and hot mango
buns and hot mango chutney (quite nice actually). The trail from this point on is mainly
paved with big uneven slabs where some speed can be gained. There are still some steps
and tight corners to catch you out. I was glad of having full-sus but even so at the bottom
my arms were tired from the pounding of the constant lumps.
5. Having reached the gate at the end of this section (GR582525) take a right on the gravel
track crossing your path and descended to Rhyd Ddu. Unfortunately there are a few locked
gates to negotiate on this BW. Near the end of the descent turn left at the junction at the
gate with the farm off on the right. Once across the railway take the track off to the right,
around the back of the houses, then turn left at the end onto the A4085 (GR569527). After
turning right follow the road for roughly 1.5miles to the Snowdon Ranger YHA.
6. Directly after this the Snowdon Ranger BW is signed off to the right (GR565551). This
comes out at the railway where the trail turns left, following it to a crossing point a little
further down. With a right turn over the railway the trail climbs to some houses. Just behind
paved with big uneven slabs where some speed can be gained. There are still some steps
and tight corners to catch you out. I was glad of having full-sus but even so at the bottom
my arms were tired from the pounding of the constant lumps.
5. Having reached the gate at the end of this section (GR582525) take a right on the gravel
track crossing your path and descended to Rhyd Ddu. Unfortunately there are a few locked
gates to negotiate on this BW. Near the end of the descent turn left at the junction at the
gate with the farm off on the right. Once across the railway take the track off to the right,
around the back of the houses, then turn left at the end onto the A4085 (GR569527). After
turning right follow the road for roughly 1.5miles to the Snowdon Ranger YHA.
6. Directly after this the Snowdon Ranger BW is signed off to the right (GR565551). This
comes out at the railway where the trail turns left, following it to a crossing point a little
further down. With a right turn over the railway the trail climbs to some houses. Just behind
the buildings the trail is signed off to the right (GR565552) where the off road
begins again. This track weaves through a number of switchbacks and over a few
water bars.
7. Just after the trail starts flattening off look out for the BW back to Llanberis sign
posted off to the left (GR573553). If you descend left to a gate at a stream
crossing you have gone a little far, but not by much. This is a calf snappingly
steep carry up a grassy trail, thankfully not for too long. Follow the trail towards
the saddle and after 2/3rds it is possible to get back on and ride. Follow the
grassy trail up to the gate at the top (GR572558). Through the gate take the
rocky track descending down the left hand side of the valley. This trail is quite
begins again. This track weaves through a number of switchbacks and over a few
water bars.
7. Just after the trail starts flattening off look out for the BW back to Llanberis sign
posted off to the left (GR573553). If you descend left to a gate at a stream
crossing you have gone a little far, but not by much. This is a calf snappingly
steep carry up a grassy trail, thankfully not for too long. Follow the trail towards
the saddle and after 2/3rds it is possible to get back on and ride. Follow the
grassy trail up to the gate at the top (GR572558). Through the gate take the
rocky track descending down the left hand side of the valley. This trail is quite
good even with the amount of water bars on it. Towards the bottom of the descent
the trail turns to tarmac.
8. At the point where the road turns off to the right and straight ahead is a gate
(GR573591) follow the road right, past Llanberis YHA, and back into Llanberis. At
the junction with the main road through Llanberis turn left and ride to the junction
with Petes Eats on the corner. Turn right and return to the car park.
Going up and down the Llanberis Trail is about a 10 mile round trip. The Ranger
track route is 11.5miles long but a big step up in technical difficulty. Rhyd Ddu is
roughly 16 miles and is hard going and also very technical. Please remember
the trail turns to tarmac.
8. At the point where the road turns off to the right and straight ahead is a gate
(GR573591) follow the road right, past Llanberis YHA, and back into Llanberis. At
the junction with the main road through Llanberis turn left and ride to the junction
with Petes Eats on the corner. Turn right and return to the car park.
Going up and down the Llanberis Trail is about a 10 mile round trip. The Ranger
track route is 11.5miles long but a big step up in technical difficulty. Rhyd Ddu is
roughly 16 miles and is hard going and also very technical. Please remember
that you are going up the highest mountain in Wales where the conditions can change quickly, so be prepared. More
pictures of all the routes can be found on my Twin Peaks route.
All of these routes can be plotted on OS Landranger 115.
pictures of all the routes can be found on my Twin Peaks route.
All of these routes can be plotted on OS Landranger 115.
the left and leads to a gate at a stream
crossing.
4. After the gate follow the trail off to the
left. The trail soon bears right and just
after the slate water bars start take the
BW signed off to the right up the steep
grassy slope (GR573553). This is a calf
snappingly steep carry up a grassy trail,
thankfully not for too long. Follow the
trail towards the saddle and after
crossing.
4. After the gate follow the trail off to the
left. The trail soon bears right and just
after the slate water bars start take the
BW signed off to the right up the steep
grassy slope (GR573553). This is a calf
snappingly steep carry up a grassy trail,
thankfully not for too long. Follow the
trail towards the saddle and after
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