Llabed two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

This is a moderately challenging walk, which rewards with absolutely stunning views of both sides of the mountain.

It's really a walk of thirds -
The first section takes you up and out of Llanberis and covers pretty much all of the uphill steps you will take. We started out on tarmac roads through the town, up and past a lower section of the Snowdon mountain railway and the spectacular Ceunant Mawr waterfall. After a small hop across some easy going fields, we returned to a fairly level gravel path/bike trail, heading gradually upwards towards the mountain. The incline then increases quite a bit before you reach the top of the pass and as someone who hasn't been very fit before taking this on, this was the section I found the most challenging....But, it was still very achievable by taking small pauses and making the most of the epic views!
Just over the top of the pass was an excellent place to pause, refuel and take in the even more spectacular views down across towards Rhyd Ddi and Llyn Cwellyn and back across
to Yr Wyddfa.

The second third of the hike, takes you down over a tall stile and through some varied but often boggy ground. Between the softer more boggy sections (which thankfully has some welcome slate stepping stones at points) we also passed through the remnants of one of this area's former slate mines, which is steeped in history and really spectacular to see. The trail then continued down to Ryd Ddi village and the mountain/railway car park, where there was a good opportunity to use the local facilities. This section of the walk is much more wild and takes a little more navigating (there isn't always a clear path to follow, although there are some trail markers to follow at various points). I was glad to have a guide here, but it certainly wouldn't have been impossible to find my way alone with a map or app to guide me.

The last section of the walk was fairly easy walking in terms of both incline and navigation. a clear track leads you to a boardwalk across the side of the lake and onwards towards the beddgelert forest trail. There are lovely views of a very different kind here and this section of the hike is much more sheltered from the elements than the previous.

We had started our day by leaving our car at Beddgelert and taking the bus up to Pen-y-pass and then a second bus down to Llanberis (a very beautiful and easy trip in itself! highly recommended) so we were then able to travel directly home after finishing our hike; however there were a couple of fabulous looking places to eat in Beddgelert had we wanted to end our day with some well deserved treats!

All in all, this is challenging at times, but definitely one of the most beautifully scenic walks.

The most direct route between Llanberis & Beddgelert, this Slow Way has incredible scenery, through the foothills of Yr Wyddfa and the Hebog range through Beddgelert forest. The route begins walking through lanes and footpaths (don't miss the waterfall) to join a very well made cycle trail, climbing gradually to Bwlch Maesgwm - a saddle between the peaks of Foel Goch and Moel Cynghorion, where it then descends over rough and in places very boggy ground, to the village of Rhyd Ddu, with toilets and a pub.
If you want to use the toilets then you can rejoin the route without having to backtrack - and avoid the road section - by crossing over at the toilets / car park / train station towards the lake. The walk is then much easier going again on lakeside and forest tracks until Beddgelert. All the while you'll be accompanied by the whistles of the two steam trains, and you'll also pass through some incredible old slate workings. All in all, a fantastic walk in its own right.
As we were going out specifically to walk the Slow Way, we took the bus from Beddgelert to Llanberis (changing at Pen y Pass).
A fantastic day out!
You will need good boots, preferably waterproof for this route, and ideally hillwalking kit.

Great walk, especially Beddgelert to Rhyd Ddu which is wheelchair possible with good views of Snowdon. Second part can be wet underfoot and not suitable for wheels. Good low level route round Snowdon.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.