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Snowdon Via the Llechog Ridge from Llanberis

By Dave Roberts   

Published – August 10, 2015

  3/5 (1)

Posted in Walk up Yr Wyddfa Snowdon from Llanberis, Walking Routes up Yr Wyddfa Snowdon

Snowdon Via the Llechog Ridge from Llanberis

Further Details

Route Summary:

Proof that you can walk up Snowdon from Llanberis and avoid the crowds – at least for some of the way. Makes an excellent descent as well.

Start and Finish:

Distance: 8.02 km

Ascent: 987 m

Time: 4 hours

Timings are approximate and depend on the individual. Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Before You Walk up Snowdon, ask yourself – Are you equipped? Do you know what you’re doing? Are the conditions safe? If you answer no to any of these, stay safe, don’t go! Check the weather forecast and make sure you know about walking up Snowdon in the Snow. If you lack experience – hire a Snowdon Mountain Guide.

Facilities:

Most local facilities available in Llanberis.

Public Transport:

Buses to start plentiful

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Parking: 

Plenty of options in Llanberis village.

Hazards:

Some Navigation.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Walk up Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon Safely Navigation and the Gear and Equipment you’ll need.

Check the Weather before setting out.

We reccommend  Met Office Snowdonia and MWIS and live conditions on Adventure Smart – live conditions

Snowdon Guidebooks:

Recommended Snowdon Maps: 

Snowdon Via the Llechog Ridge from Llanberis Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

Download file for GPS

Snowdon Via the Llechog Ridge from Llanberis

Avoid the Snowdon Llanberis Path crowds by walking parallel on this grassy ridge. You’ll probably see no one! The Llechog ridge looks like a series of minor summits from below, but they’re barely bumps on the ridge once there. That there’s no real summit along the way certainly keeps people away, but don’t let that deter you. Llechog is a lofty spot that beats anything the Llanberis Path can throw at you and the lower bumps make for pleasant enough walking. Although, in ascent you’ll find yourself treating them more like real summits considering the effort taken to get there.e you g

This makes a great alternative descent to the busy Llanberis Path, but while it involves walking parallel to the railway for a while, we do not suggest you follow the railway tracks at any point.

Starting in Llanberis, this is an off path alternative to the busy tourist path.

Note that the route follows the ridge and NOT the railway line. The railway line should NEVER be followed on foot. Yes, we’ve already said that, but it’s worth repeating!

1 The Llechog Ridge route can be started from a forestry track opposite the Royal Victoria Hotel, which brings you to the café at Pen y Ceunant. Unfortunately, you then need to follow the hoi polloi along the country track (turning left and uphill at the café, but that’s obvious) until you pass through a gate and a farm yard and a signpost for Snowdon soon after.

Walk up Snowdon Via the Llechog Ridge from Llanberis

2 Beyond this, the adventure is yours. You can set off for the first set of crags, just as the Llanberis path takes a 90° turn to the right. Though the terrain does have a fair bit of bracken to contend with. Or, an easier option is to take the path for a short distance and set off across the flat col just after Derlwyn .

Walk up Snowdon Via the Llechog Ridge from Llanberis

Likewise, this is a good time to join the Llanberis path on the descent, though walking across to Derlwyn just to catch the final view across Llyn Padarn makes for an even better ending.

Walk up Snowdon Via the Llechog Ridge from Llanberis

3 The rocky peak of Llechog is the high point of the route. As it’s a promontory it provides a view directly down into the pass.  Take your time here as soon after you’ll be back on the Llanberis Path.

Walk up Snowdon Via the Llechog Ridge from Llanberis

4 While you could follow the path easily to the summit, you’d be missing the opportunity to avoid that path like the plague. You join the path at Clogwyn Station and pass under the railway. You will need to follow the path along this short section of Rallt Goch, but you’ll need to veer off left and up a steep grassy slope as soon as you can. Keeping to the edge of the cwm, you’ll reach a flat area marked Gyrn Las on the maps, from where you can set off up the slope towards the summit of Garnedd Ugain.

Walk up Snowdon Via the Llechog Ridge from Llanberis

5 You’ll be joined here, mainly by those who have climbed up via Crib Goch, and you’d be wide to have your lunch break here if it’s a fine day and you didn’t either set off before dawn or if you’ve set off late in the day. And we mean, really late in the day, so that the sun will be setting as you arrive. Watch the crowds, and eventually join the crowds, knowing that there are some quiet routes up Snowdon that even if they don’t avoid the crowds completely do provide a bit of respite.

 

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

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