[Closed] Snowdon up the Llanberis

I've only been up it twice with a bike and that was via the Llanberis path with an XC hardtail. I seem to remember being able to ride about 75% of it up and 95% down. Others on big bouncy DH bikes managed to ride a bit less up and 100% down. Going up, there are two really steep sections; the first few hundred feet from the valley bottom and for 100 yards well over half way beside the railway.

Hi,

You can ride up about 95% and down 100%.

There is one or two definite walking sections with a bit of shouldering or pushing.

Down hill did it both on HT and full bounce.

Just don't get too silly and you will be fine.

Cheers!
I.

I'd say the only bits that aren't rideable up are the steps in the middle (but there may be enough track at the side, I ended up shouldering - the bit between the two bridges) and some of the steps at the end, unless you like trials-y bits - I rode the rest of it. Except for the bit covered in snow near the top in March. I can't see anything that would have presented a problem going down. Fully rigid you may have to be more cautious than I was on an Enduro bike though.
However, I went down the Rangers path, which was far more fun than the Llanberis looked like it would be - I'd do that if you can. As long as you can bunny hop to avoid the water bar thingies.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the replies.

It's more my fitness that's a concern, certainly more so than the capacity of the bike. I'd not like to have to stop every ten minutes to rest/push.

I did it over 20 years ago on a fully rigid XC bike with cantis in the wet. On the way up it was just a fairly normal climb, it just took a long time.

It is a fair 'ole hike.
Took us just over 2h including stops, snacks and occasional chats with other people.

Rangers is much more entertaining going downhill, but also much more technically demanding...

Cheers!
I.

I would add that just because the voluntary curfew is coming to an end, it will still be crammed with walkers. Therefore, riding down without stopping will be difficult.
You have a better option returning along the ranger’s path as it's a path less trodden and more fun.

There's a couple of sections that might be "fun" aerobically and a few short sections of technical fun.

The first section of road to get to the start of the path is chuffin' steep. Shortly after the path itself starts there's a technical section. Then it's mostly steady to Halfway House, just a few rocky bits here and there. After HH it begins to steepen, at a sharp left turn it definitely steepens for about 100m (looking on Geograph.org.uk this section has been pitch stepped) then eases to where it passes under the railway at the head of Cwm Hetiau. The next 200m or so is (or was) steep and has a gritty surface. Eases for a while then there's a technical finish to the station/summit.

This is pretty much my back garden and i second the advice that it will still be rammed with walkers. A lot of people dont really understand the cooperative use of space and both riders and walkers can be the culprits here.

Coming down the Ranger then up to the col and down telegraph road is the best way down. Its most fun and very much quieter.

If its the weekend, then it will just be too busy at the mo to ride up or down the llanberis path unless its super early. Thet would involve riding up in the dark really. Which is amazing.

Ian

I did the Llanberis path a couple of weeks ago. I reckon it's about 75% rideable going up. Got to the summit at about 8.15am, and on the descent there was a steady flow of walkers starting to come up already. Any busier, and it would have spoilt it.

Coming down, the first section is very technical (steep steps, large boulders, then steep loose scree) which can be avoided by following the railway track (no trains at that time) until the fun bit which starts by the highest of the two railway bridges. Then it's 100% rideable.