This mountain bike route guide covers all the
bridleways on Snowdon and gives three options for
descending from the top. Before attempting any of
these routes you must remember, even though it is
covered in tourists Snowdon is a big mountain, don’t
be lulled into a false sense of security. The majority of
the riding is made up of steep, bouldery trials that will
test your riding skills to the limit. I have based the
percentages on what is ridable on a very fit rider
comfortable with Scottish level black runs. Whichever
route you choose there will be a certain amount of
hike’a’biking, so you must be happy with pushing and
carrying your bike. Also, please adhere to the times
of the voluntary bike ban.
1. Start from the car park by Llyn Padarn in Llanberis
(GR577607). Turn left onto the main 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 a gate on the right hand bend. Once
bridleways on Snowdon and gives three options for
descending from the top. Before attempting any of
these routes you must remember, even though it is
covered in tourists Snowdon is a big mountain, don’t
be lulled into a false sense of security. The majority of
the riding is made up of steep, bouldery trials that will
test your riding skills to the limit. I have based the
percentages on what is ridable on a very fit rider
comfortable with Scottish level black runs. Whichever
route you choose there will be a certain amount of
hike’a’biking, so you must be happy with pushing and
carrying your bike. Also, please adhere to the times
of the voluntary bike ban.
1. Start from the car park by Llyn Padarn in Llanberis
(GR577607). Turn left onto the main 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 a 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 for 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 very difficult 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 though is when it gets a bit too much you can have
a rest and take in the awesome scenery. Continue following the Llanberis trail all the way to the summit (GR610544).
After you have taken photos and soaked in the views, if you are lucky enough, the mountain has to be descended.
2. This sign directs you through a gate for 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 very difficult 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 though is when it gets a bit too much you can have
a rest and take in the awesome scenery. Continue following the Llanberis trail all the way to the summit (GR610544).
After you have taken 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........
mountain. There are three options which are 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 still a very technical prospect. There are
big boulders, steep scree slopes, large rock steps and fast flowing sections to
tackle. Make sure you have enough pressure in your tyres and decent brakes.
There is definitely the potential for a 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’s best to find a
time when foot traffic is light or you could be slowing down every 10 meters.
to be 100% ridable and great fun. It is still a very technical prospect. There are
big boulders, steep scree slopes, large rock steps and fast flowing sections to
tackle. Make sure you have enough pressure in your tyres and decent brakes.
There is definitely the potential for a 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’s best to find a
time when foot traffic is light or you could be slowing down every 10 meters.
The Snowdon Ranger
Descend from the summit back down the Llanberis trail to the standing stone at
the view point at top of the Pyg Track on the right (GR607548). On the opposite
side of the Llanberis Trail from the standing stone follow the start of Snowdon
Ranger down to the railway 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 hand bend the trail comes to a steep section where things start to
get really technical, with the rocks becoming increasingly larger. The greater
rockiness is combined with chutes, steps and tight switchbacks, proper pick your
way down stuff. This ends with a section of about 30m of big rocks that I couldn’t
ride. When the rocks finish the trail flattens out a bit for a fast gravely trail with a
great view of Snowdon on the left. Don't get distracted by this, you can wait till the
gate a little further on (GR586556). After the gate the trail becomes a bit boggy in
the view point at top of the Pyg Track on the right (GR607548). On the opposite
side of the Llanberis Trail from the standing stone follow the start of Snowdon
Ranger down to the railway 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 hand bend the trail comes to a steep section where things start to
get really technical, with the rocks becoming increasingly larger. The greater
rockiness is combined with chutes, steps and tight switchbacks, proper pick your
way down stuff. This ends with a section of about 30m of big rocks that I couldn’t
ride. When the rocks finish the trail flattens out a bit for a fast gravely trail with a
great view of Snowdon on the left. Don't get distracted by this, you can wait till the
gate a little further on (GR586556). After the gate the trail becomes a bit boggy in
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).
5. Once through the gate take the rocky track descending down the left hand side of the valley. This trail is good fun,
even with the amount of water bars on it. Towards the bottom of the descent the trail bears left before ending at a lane.
Follow this lane to a junction where the road turns right and straight ahead is a gate (GR573591). Turn right and descend
the lane, past Llanberis YHA, and back into Llanberis. At the junction with the main road in Llanberis turn left and ride to
the junction with Pete's Eats on the corner. Turn right and return to the car park.
Follow the grassy trail up to the gate at the top (GR572558).
5. Once through the gate take the rocky track descending down the left hand side of the valley. This trail is good fun,
even with the amount of water bars on it. Towards the bottom of the descent the trail bears left before ending at a lane.
Follow this lane to a junction where the road turns right and straight ahead is a gate (GR573591). Turn right and descend
the lane, past Llanberis YHA, and back into Llanberis. At the junction with the main road in Llanberis turn left and ride to
the junction with Pete's Eats on the corner. Turn right and return to the car park.
Rhyd Ddu
Finally there is the extremely technical descent of 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, which is mainly a
push and carry. There happened to be a couple of inches of snow when I took the photo’s for this route guide to make it
of the cafe from the summit trig point (GR609543). Ahead the track can be seen traversing a thin ridge, which is mainly a
push and carry. There happened to be a couple of inches of snow when I took the photo’s for this route guide 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 350m sheer drop with the other I wouldn't advise
you to go this way. Fortunately not much height is lost on the ridge.
4. Near the end of the ridge section the trail splits in two (GR604537). To the left is a little
summit (not descending straight away as on the map link) and to the right the trail carries on
descending. Follow the right hand track but don't look down as there is now a 350m sheer
drop on the right. At this point your bike can be remounted but think carefully about the big
drop and the cost of an error. The singletrack traverse finishes and comes to some fencing
which the trail follows for a while through a number of loose and very steep switchbacks.
Once these have been negotiated the ground flattens out slightly for a very rocky track that
follows the line of the ridge and eventually comes to a gate in a drystone wall. After 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 very technical but rideable rock gardens. They
go on for a long time and are a good test of skill, nerve and your forearms. After a short
with one hand and holding your bike over a 350m sheer drop with the other I wouldn't advise
you to go this way. Fortunately not much height is lost on the ridge.
4. Near the end of the ridge section the trail splits in two (GR604537). To the left is a little
summit (not descending straight away as on the map link) and to the right the trail carries on
descending. Follow the right hand track but don't look down as there is now a 350m sheer
drop on the right. At this point your bike can be remounted but think carefully about the big
drop and the cost of an error. The singletrack traverse finishes and comes to some fencing
which the trail follows for a while through a number of loose and very steep switchbacks.
Once these have been negotiated the ground flattens out slightly for a very rocky track that
follows the line of the ridge and eventually comes to a gate in a drystone wall. After 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 very technical but rideable rock gardens. They
go on for a long time and are a good test of skill, nerve and your forearms. After a short
walk/scramble down the last particularly evil section the trail flattens out and the boulder
fields disappear. Follow the trail straight ahead and descend the dirt track. This soon gives
way big uneven boulder paving where some speed can be gained. There are still big steps
and tight corners to catch you out. Even with a full-sus your arms will be burning at the
bottom from the pounding of the constant lumps. The trail ends with a short climb to a gate
(GR582525).
5. After the gate turn right and descend the wide gravel track to Rhyd Ddu village.
Unfortunately there are a few locked gates to negotiate on this BW. At the next junction
near the end of the descent, with a gate to a farm on the right, turn left. Directly after
crossing the railway take the track off to the right, around the back of the houses, then turn
left to come out at the A4085 (GR569527). Turn right and follow the A4085 for roughly
1.5miles to the Snowdon Ranger YHA.
6. Directly after the YHA follow the Snowdon Ranger BW, sign posted off to the right
fields disappear. Follow the trail straight ahead and descend the dirt track. This soon gives
way big uneven boulder paving where some speed can be gained. There are still big steps
and tight corners to catch you out. Even with a full-sus your arms will be burning at the
bottom from the pounding of the constant lumps. The trail ends with a short climb to a gate
(GR582525).
5. After the gate turn right and descend the wide gravel track to Rhyd Ddu village.
Unfortunately there are a few locked gates to negotiate on this BW. At the next junction
near the end of the descent, with a gate to a farm on the right, turn left. Directly after
crossing the railway take the track off to the right, around the back of the houses, then turn
left to come out at the A4085 (GR569527). Turn right and follow the A4085 for roughly
1.5miles to the Snowdon Ranger YHA.
6. Directly after the YHA follow the Snowdon Ranger BW, sign posted off to the right
(GR565551). This comes out at the railway where it turns left and comes to a
crossing point a little further down. Turn right over the railway and climb to the
houses. Just behind the houses follow the trail right (GR565552) where the off
road begins again. This track climbs steeply 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. Take this left for 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.
crossing point a little further down. Turn right over the railway and climb to the
houses. Just behind the houses follow the trail right (GR565552) where the off
road begins again. This track climbs steeply 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. Take this left for 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). Once through the
gate take the rocky track descending down the left hand side of the valley. This
trail is good fun, even with the amount of water bars on it. Towards the bottom of
the descent the trail bears left before ending at a lane.
8. Follow this lane to a junction where the road turns right and straight ahead is a
gate (GR573591). Turn right and descend the lane, past Llanberis YHA, and back
into Llanberis. At the junction with the main road in Llanberis turn left and ride to
the junction with Pete's 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
gate take the rocky track descending down the left hand side of the valley. This
trail is good fun, even with the amount of water bars on it. Towards the bottom of
the descent the trail bears left before ending at a lane.
8. Follow this lane to a junction where the road turns right and straight ahead is a
gate (GR573591). Turn right and descend the lane, past Llanberis YHA, and back
into Llanberis. At the junction with the main road in Llanberis turn left and ride to
the junction with Pete's 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,extremely difficult and
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.
To find out what the conditions are like check out the Snowdon webcam
All of these routes can be plotted on OS Landranger 115.
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.
To find out what the conditions are like check out the Snowdon webcam
All of these routes can be plotted on OS Landranger 115.
sections, not too much through. After a
while a drystone wall comes in from the
left and leads to another 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,
while a drystone wall comes in from the
left and leads to another 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,
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