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Sorry but the search function is not functioning. Is the traditional loop to take the Llanberis path up and the Rangers down? Are there any other "legal" (outside of the curfew times) routes worth doing like Miners or Rhyd-Ddu? We tend to be better at descending than climbing if that makes a difference. Recommendations for places to stay and eat/drink would also be welcome.
LLanberis up, Ranger's down seems to be the most recommended route. There is a trail to link back to Llanberis. This is the route I have earmarked to do in a couple of weeks time.
It is possible to go up Ranger's, but don't know how ride-able that is.
Rhyd-Ddu is recommended by some as a descent, but involves some hike-a-bike down the first section. I'm not sure how long that section is.
Not sure how legal the Miner's track is, or how happy people would be if you ride it.
The climb up Llanberis, aint too bad , a good portion can be ridden, and i’m not a big fan of climbing.(was on a h/t though),down using rangers is cracking ride, well worth the effort. Petes eats cafe post ride,seems to be traditional cafe.wasn’t overerly immpressed tbh
The Llanberis, Ranger and Rhyd Ddu tracks are the only legal BWs on Snowdon. The Miner's track is a BW as far the old mine buildings at Llyn Llydau, but you could drive a car to that point!
What sort of ride-ability are Miners and Pyg as a Descent ?
A while since I've been on them (walking) but there'll be a mixture of steady and very technical ground. The common section at the top, known as the zig-zags was resurfaced about 20 years ago. I don't know if any of this work has been done further down.
Unless you do them very early in the morning then you'll spend as much time avoiding walkers as riding.
Thank you - very useful.
If it's your first time then I'd definitely suggest up from Llanberis - down Rangers - down Telegraph Valley to Llanberis (don't miss it or you have a long stretch of road to get back). I've been toying with the idea of having a crack at Rhyd Ddu, but I'm not sure it would be that fun (plus it's a couple of years since I've done the Rangers, so if I get the chance I'll probably do that).
A slightly alternative route would be to park at the Rangers Station, ride up to the Telegraph turn off, down to Llanberis then up to the summit and all the way down the Rangers right to the bottom. Doesn't add anything particularly essential but it limits the chance of missing the turn off!
What ever you do, don't ask the esteemed Mr Guy Kesteven for directions down the Rangers Path (nice vid of the Rhyd Ddu though)
"What sort of ride-ability are Miners and Pyg as a Descent ?"
Given the national park are threatening to pull ALL bike access from Snowdon at the moment, I'd suggest totally not worth it. Walker's 'getting in the way' or not.
Exactly what I was about to say james.
Start off with climbing the bottom section of the Ranger (100% rideable as it's been 'improved').
Turn left, climb up to the gap and descend Telegraph Valley into Llanberis.
Eat cake
Climb to the summit via Llanberis path.
Descend via the Ranger back to where you started.
We did this one evening a few weeks back, but parked at Rhydd-Ddu and descended via that path. Not recommended unless you really enjoy the techy stuff (see vid linked above). Whilst there are good bits, not enough was rideable (by me at least - I reckon I rode about as much as the fella in Kesteven's vid) to really enjoy it.
Also it took a while and the pub had stopped serving food ☹️