A quieter walk up Snowdon from the ‘far’ end if you’re travelling in from the East. Starting off from the tranquil Cwellyn, it initially gains some rapid height by way of the zig-zags before some well earned respite. Then you reach the proper zig zags and this is a relentless pull to the top that has enough interest to keep it from being a pure slog.

There’s a Welsh Highland Railway station at the start of the walk, and you could conceivably plan your walk around the trains. This is an ideal first ascent as it is more interesting than the Llanberis path (so’s drying paint) and avoids the relentless steps that you find on the Pen y Pass paths.

OS Map Required Explorer 017, BMC Map, Landranger 115

Difficulties None

Start / End  Snowdon Ranger YH - Snowdon Summit

Facilities Pub with excellent ales in Rhyd Ddu.

Public Transport Sherpa Buses and WHR to Rhyd Ddu.

The Route The path after the zig-zags crosses a reasonably flat area as you contour past Moel Cyghorion. The path is a little eroded in places and beware the drainage pipes crossing the path as i kept slipping on these. It’s easy going until you reach the col of Bwlch Cwm Brwynog and the climb starts in earnest along even more zig zags.

The route starts to the side of the Youth Hostel, up  track and along the railway before crossing it. Follow this track uphill to a farmhouse, then take the signposted path right. Now the path zig-zags endlessly, or at least till the skyline is reached and you are rewarded with the view of Yr Wyddfa. It was at this point, i decided i was definately going for the top regardless of how much daylight i had remaining. The Llanberis path would be a doddle with a head torch anyway.

The path follows a blunt ridge that has Clogwyn Du’r Arddu to one side and a gentler slope that the path climbs. It is steep, but gets you up quickly. I was accompanied by a helicopter flying back and forth, transporting material to the new summit cafe, or Hafod Eryri as they call it.

After a hard hour or so’s climbing, the path eventually relents, and the railway and other paths come into view up ahead – you know you’re finally on the home stretch. Just as the railway is reached, I had to start jogging as the helicopter wanted to land there. That warmed me up a bit as it was cloudy on top and very cold, it wasn’t August up here. Despite that, there were loads of people up here, but i had the summit almost to myself.

If you’re using this route as a descent, then keep an eye out for the upright stone that indicates the top of the Ranger Path.