Review Date
November 14, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: alex777 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
My first go at proper mountain biking, was on holiday and a friend and I felt like a challenge. Some tough riding on the ascent but definately worth it for the downhill.

Recommended Route:
Unlike anyone else who has written a review we started from the Beddgelert side up the 'bridle' path at the ranger station. this steeper path takes a shade under two hours with about a half hour stretch of carrying the bike between 600-950 metres. Some quality biking mid-ascent when you cross the relatively flat plain after the initial calf straining zig-zag. Down the llanberis path (amazing) with a stop in the most interesting tea room just above llanberis. Back to Beddgelert by road (16 miles)

Our rented hardtails were fairly light and no bother to carry however if your not up to carrying your bike up a damn steep path for half an hour this route is not for you.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Didn't have time to do much else but intend to explore more fully one day.

Review Date
January 5, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: smurf , from cambs

Summary:
Anyone who says you need full suss for this is a wuss. Me and my girlfriend did it at new year, me on a hardtail, and her on a fully rigid.
Yes it's a slog up. The weather was arse, we rode up most of it, and shouldered the rest.
The descent is awesome, yes technology may help you go fast, but there's no substitute for ability, and this is not for the feint hearted!
The walkers we encountered were excellent, offering encouragement on the way up, praise at the top, and were in awe on the way down.
observe the voluntary restrictions, crack on, and a pint of tea in pete's eats at the bottom is well earnt.

Recommended Route:
up and down llanberis path

Other recommended trails in the same area:
MBR route, karimoor route at coed y brenin, and the marked trail outside betws y coed

Review Date
December 25, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Please Select

Reviewed by: Jake , from shropshire

Summary:
sounds good (havent ridden it yet) but does anyone know if you can take bikes up the railway now as it would be ace (i know that you couldnt about 5 years)

Other recommended trails in the same area:
freeride down the south face (hehehe)

Review Date
December 12, 2002

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: David Jacobs , from Gwynedd

Summary:
Snowdon is great, but there are far better things to see and do in N. Wales

Recommended Route:
I think the best way to ride this route, is UP the Llanberis and down the Rhyd Ddu path's. All though I would prefer that people ride on the purpose built paths in Betws and Brenin if possible. I think Snowdon is a chellenge - there are more challenging routes to be found without 'riping up' this popular summit!!!!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
There is nothing more spectacular that an early misty morning ride around the challenging single tracks of Betws-y-coed, the views are amazing - if you can take your eyes off the track....

Review Date
November 22, 2002

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Please Select

Reviewed by: Tony , from Stevenage

Summary:
What's all this talk of full suspension, disk brakes and body armour??? First rode this route ten years ago on a fully rigid Cannondale, with canti's and no more protection than an open face helmet and gloves. My mates were on a Kona Explosif and Specialized Stumpjumper (both rigid). It took 2 hours to get up and we rode all the way, it was October, weather was foul with low cloud and high winds and it took us 40 minutes to get down including the time to fix two punctures! I'm not trying to boast, just to point out that there is perhaps too much reliance on technology. If you want to experience what is after all a classic British Route, don't think you need a downhill bike to do so. Knowing you have the skill and the right attitude is more important than the bike, not to mention having respect for other users. So how come we did it so quick then? As I said it was October so very few people around, the weather was shite and even most of the sheep were off the hill and yes we did comply with the voluntary access agreement, so make sure you do too! (Lecture over)

Recommended Route:
Llanberis - Snowdon Bridleway