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3. An MTB Guide to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

As the tallest mountain in Wales, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) doesn’t just attract walkers. It’s something of a pilgrimage destination for mountain bikers, too. Not everyone heads to the summit on two feet – more than a few prefer to do so on two wheels. This has required some compromise between various user groups – a compromise largely made by mountain bikers and one that has proven highly successful.

In this guide to mountain biking Yr Wyddfa, we touch on the Voluntary Cycling Agreement at the heart of this compromise, before turning our attention to all the information you need to know before you hit Yr Wyddfa’s legendary trails.

The Voluntary Cycling Agreement

The Voluntary Cycling Agreement was established in 2003 as a means of managing trail traffic and preventing accidents and conflict between user groups. It depends on cyclists not riding on the three main bridleways – namely the Llanberis, Snowdon Ranger and Rhyd Ddu paths – between 10 am and 5 pm from the 1st of May until the 30th of September.

Crucially, this means cyclists are voluntarily agreeing not to exercise their legal right to access these routes. Notably, it is a compromise based on one user group rescinding their right for the benefit of all. And that should be applauded.

A collaboration between Snowdonia National Park, Cycling UK, the International Mountain Bicycling Association, Gwynedd County Council and the Welsh Cycling Union, the agreement is an excellent example of how access can be managed effectively without resorting to hugely restrictive or one-sided practices. It’s this kind of collaborative, mutually-arranged effort that we want to see more of when it comes to access rights!

Climbing Yr Wyddfa

With that covered, let’s get down to the shredding. Well, nearly. First up is the climb. If you’re looking to pedal your way up the mountain and avoid lengthy hike-a-bike sections on the ascent, Llanberis Path is the main route to the summit. It’s the way almost every mountain biker will climb Yr Wyddfa, as the terrain allows for the most time in the saddle.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s an easy climb, though. Around 4 miles (6.5 km) long, with an average gradient of 13%, this is a proper off-road climb and will take most riders between two to three hours. While the fittest riders may be able to crank it out in around an hour, that requires serious climbing legs. The trail is mostly rideable but includes rocky and technical sections that will have many riders dismounting and pushing for short periods.

Choosing your descent

On the way back down, you have three routes to choose between, each of which offers a distinct riding experience and poses unique challenges.

Llanberis Path

Llanberis Path is the simplest and most direct route back down the mountain. It’s long, pretty straight and less of a technical challenge than either of the other two routes. However, the trail can get loose and you want to monitor your speed throughout, as grabbing a load of brake is the surest way to lose traction and hit the deck. There’s also a spicy extended staircase to contend with just above the Halfway House. This is one for less experienced or XC-style riders who aren’t as interested in a technical descent or who are prioritising speed and distance.

It’s also important to note that Llanberis Path is the busiest of the three possible routes. Your chances of a clean run are slim unless you descend very early or late in the day. Cyclists are required to give way to those on foot, so keep that in mind. Time it right though, and this is a thrillingly fast and long ride back down to the base of the mountain – one that the fastest riders are doing in around 12 minutes.

Snowdon Ranger Path

The Snowdon Ranger Path requires considerably more skill and experience, as it is a far more varied and technical route. It’s probably the route most riders descend by and includes a little bit of everything, from swooping cutbacks and small rock drops to steep, chunky sections that demand excellent bike handling.

As the path levels out at Llyn Ffynnon y Gwas, head right up to Bwlch Maesgwm. This stretch of woop-inducing singletrack is also known as Telegraph Valley (though the telegraph poles are long gone, so this doesn’t make much sense any more) and is smoother and more chilled than the preceding trail. Handily, it also takes you back to Llanberis village, where you most likely started your ride.

Rhyd Ddu

If you’ve tackled Snowdon Ranger and want to go even more technical and attempt a really challenging mountain descent, Rhyd Ddu is your next port of call. In reality, most riders will have to hop off their bikes for parts of the trail, as it does feature some serious exposure, big drops and a lot of boulders. The initial ridge scramble after the cafe is largely unrideable but after that, things get a little more sensible.

On a good day, when your bike is dialled and you’re in that flow state, Rhyd Ddu is simply unbeatable. But don’t be afraid to walk sections if you’re not feeling it. While the potential rewards are great, so are the risks. Riders can also link up with the Bwlch Maesgwm singletrack to get back to Llanberis toward the end of the ride.

Other riding in Eryri (Snowdonia)

While riding Yr Wyddfa is something every trail-loving MTBer should experience, there is a tonne of epic riding to be had elsewhere in Eryri, too. This makes it the perfect destination for a long weekend or seven-day MTB getaway. If you ride Yr Wyddfa on the Saturday, consider checking out one of these other destinations on the Sunday.

• • Coed y Brenin Trail Centre – the original trail centre and arguably one of the birthplaces of modern mountain biking. This iconic destination is home to trails suitable for all abilities.
• • Gwydir Mawr and Gwydir Bach Trails – the 25 km Gwydir Mawr trail incorporates the shorter 8.7 km Gwydir Bach trail, which can be ridden on its own in around 60-90 minutes. Climbing is predominantly on fire roads, while the singletrack descents range from rocky and technical to open and flowing. Beautiful views of the mountains and varied terrain make this a firm favourite amongst local riders.
• • Antur Stiniog Bike Park – more of a downhill-oriented venue (it’s uplift-only – so no pedalling required), Antur Stiniog has a well-earned reputation as one of the best bike parks in the country. With trails ranging from green to black, there’s something for everyone, too.
• • Penmachno Bike Trails – consisting of two long red-graded trails that can be combined into a super 30 km loop, Penmachno is ideal for those who prefer a remote ride, brilliant singletrack and a diverse range of trail features. However, it is known for being very wet, even in the driest of summers! So come prepared for the conditions.

For the latest information on cycling Yr Wyddfa, including restrictions, check out snowdonia.gov.wales. To walk your route before you cycle it, why not join an experienced mountain guide on one of our Climb Snowdon open days?