The Ultimate Guide to the Snowdon Ranger Path

Published By: Daniel Woodley. Updated: 17th October 2023. Filed at: Hiking Routes. Disclosure: I may earn a commission from purchases made via links. Disclaimer: Mountain hiking can be dangerous, this route description does not provide step-by-step instructions. Read Disclaimer.

My name is Daniel and I own a popular YouTube channel where I publish videos of myself in Snowdonia and other mountain regions of the UK.

Welcome to my complete guide to the Snowdon Ranger Path, a route I’ve taken many times.

In a hurry? Watch the video version here:

Below you’ll find a route description, photos and other helpful information for this delightful hiking route to the summit of Snowdon.

Did you know that the Snowdon Ranger Path is the second easiest route up Snowdon and also one of the quietest?

Also, there is a path (recently created by the park authority) that links the Snowdon Ranger Path to the more popular and even easier Llanberis Path.

If you like the idea of doing a circular route and exploring two sides of the mountain in the same day, check out my 3 minute video here:

Snowdon Ranger Path Map

This map shows the route (white) to the summit of Snowdon.

Imagery © 2023 Google, Airbus, Bluesky, Infoterra, COWI, Cnes/Airbus, Getmapping PLC, Landset, Maxar Technologies

The 3 Sections of the Rhyd Ddu Path

Here are the three sections of the Snowdon Ranger Path:

1. The first 1/3rd of the route is a gravel path that I’ve always found easy to follow and not particularly steep.
2. The mid-section of the route is the most rugged, but no scrambling is required.
3. The final section is where I’ve seen people get lost as there are four paths that merge into one.

Section 1) Gravel Path From the Train Station

The first section of the route from the unmanned train station is well-marked, mostly gravel and wide.

Cross the train tracks at the gate at the end of the station and then follow the well-made gravel path northeast towards and around the house.

The start of the route with the house behind me.

The first section of the route is on a well-made gravel path that zigzags up the hillside:

The zig zag path.

Beyond the zig-zags, the steepness of the path eases and rises slowly with stunning views up to Snowdon (in cloud here):

Towards the mid section of the route, here the path eases.

Towards the end of the first section, there is a marked path that leads into the town of Llanberis.

If you want to try a circular route, I suggest going up the Llanberis Path and down the Ranger Path, then taking this route back into Llanberis.

This marker stone can be found here: https://what3words.com/standards.silently.news but the path is new so isn’t shown on the satellite map yet (as of August 2023)

Section 2) The Rugged Section

The rugged section isn’t particularly steep and I’ve seen mountain bikers come down this route – some of them had to dismount while some just about made it over the rocky section.

I’ve never seen anyone struggle on this section and I’ve seen plenty of dogs up here too.

The path narrows and there is a short rugged section ahead. I’ve never found this part difficult it’s just rocky and rugged.

The path is still easy to follow here.

I’ve seen mountain bikers come down this path – they just about made it!

At the top of the rugged section, the path levels off and cairns help with navigation in low cloud.

Section 3) The Final Section to the Summit

The final section of the path is easy to follow in good visibility, but extra care is needed in low cloud.

The path soon merges with the Llanberis Path until the summit, only a short distance away.

At this point, the other side of the mountain is now visible.

Here I step over the railway and onto the top of the Llanberis Path towards the summit.

The view down the other side of the mountain with the Pyg and Miners tracks visible.

Snowdon’s summit – all to myself 😉

Descent Options

From the summit, you have plenty of options, the most popular being:

1. The way you came, back down the Snowdon Ranger Path.
2. Down the Rhyd Ddu Path, which is more difficult and either walk along the road or get the bus back to the Snowdon Ranger car park.
3. Down the more difficult Watkin Path and get the bus back (you may need to change buses at Beddgelert).

If you go back down the Snowdon Ranger Path, make sure you don’t miss the fork in the path.

I have seen people get lost here, usually when they are distracted or in low cloud.

There are actually four routes in the image below:

1. Ranger Path.
2. Llanberis Path.
3. Crib Goch.
4. Pyg Track.

The easily missed fork on descent (take the left line (1) for the Snowdon Ranger Path)

Who I Recommend This Route To

The Snowdon Ranger Path is only marginally more challenging than the hugely popular Llanberis Path.

I recommend the Ranger Path:

• On fine weather days when visibility is good.
• To those who want to avoid the crowds on the Llanberis Path.
• Anyone who wants to try a circular route.

If you’re worried about getting lost on Snowdon, I suggest trying the Llanberis Path first, I’ve never seen it quiet and if you are unsure of where to go, there will likely be others around you can follow.

I have been up and down the Ranger Path before without seeing anyone and that could be a little daunting for a first-timer, especially in low cloud.