Snowdon Ranger

The walk starts by the shores of Llyn Cwellyn and gains height quickly through a set of lower zigzags on rebuilt path, then eases across the flank of Moel Cynghorion. You pass Llyn Ffynnon-y-gwas near Bwlch Cwm Brwynog before the climbing turns serious over rough, rocky ground high above the cliffs of Clogwyn Du'r Arddu. The path merges with the Llanberis Path near Bwlch Glas, then follows the final summit approach to the top. As one of the two western approaches and one of the earliest six main routes on the mountain, it offers views that far fewer walkers see, looking out west over Llyn Cwellyn and the country beyond.

This is a demanding mountain day rather than a family outing. The profile is honest about it: from roughly 150 m at the lake to just over 1,000 m near the summit, with the lower half comparatively gradual and the upper half steeper and rougher. Good fitness matters, and so does pacing, because the hardest continuous climbing comes when you are already several kilometres in. The return is the same ground in reverse, which means a long steady descent on tired legs.

Expect steep hillside and genuinely rough country, with loose rocky sections and the possibility of light scrambling on the upper path. Full hill walking gear is essential, and specialist winter equipment may be required in cold conditions. Navigation skills are essential too, because the higher ground is open and featureless in cloud and the route merges with the Llanberis Path near Bwlch Glas. Note where you joined that path so you can find your turn on the way back.

The start and finish is Llyn Cwellyn Car Park, off the A4085, grid reference SH 564 551. Facilities at the car park are very limited. Sherpa'r Wyddfa buses stop at Snowdon Ranger, with the most useful connections from Caernarfon and Porthmadog, which makes arriving without a car a practical option.

Dogs are welcome on the public rights of way and open access land along the route. Keeping them on a lead is the safest practice throughout: a lead of 2 m or shorter is required on open access land between 1 March and 31 July, dogs should be kept under close control on public rights of way, and a short lead is important anywhere near livestock.