Summit Snowdon Challenge - Rhyd Ddu Path

Enjoy epic views following the lesser-traversed Rhyd Ddu Path on a group walk to summit Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) with a qualified guide.

Experience Type: Day Experience
Distance: Approx. 7.3 miles (11.7km)
Duration: Most groups complete this walk in 6-8 hours
Level: Active Plus (see Large Outdoors Experience Levels here)
Age: 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by a parent/guardian throughout)
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
Price: £45

In a nutshell:

Stunning views across Snowdonia, enjoying a quieter route.
Lots of laughs and camaraderie with a group of fellow walkers.
Walk led by a qualified and experienced Large Outdoors guide to ensure everybody is safe, comfortable, and having a great time - they’ll even take your finisher photos at the summit!

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How do we grade our walks?

Explore our experience levels here!

Suggested Itinerary

You’ll meet your Large Outdoors guide at 9am in the village of Rhyd Ddu, alongside the Welsh Highland Railway station and just north of the beautiful village of Beddgelert.

Using the Rhyd Ddu Path is one of the least walked routes to the summit of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) and without doubt one of our favourites. This route generally allows you to get away from the crowds that can often be encountered on the other routes. The trail starts off along an easy track and slowly gains height, passing old quarries and the rough grassy terrain of the hill-sheep, the summit of the mountain visible ahead right from the start.

Before long we head off the track onto a true mountain path, which ascends to the wide ridge of Llechog, one of the many 'arms' of Snowdon, then we traverse the ridge along a gentle slope, with fantastic views down into the great bowl of Cwm Clogwyn in the north, and back west to the Llyn peninsula and the Celtic Sea. At the end of Llechog, we cross the famous Bwlch Main, a moderately narrow ridge, but easily walkable for those with a good head for heights. Beyond this ridge, the path climbs through rocky pinnacles to reach the summit of Snowdon - at 1,085m (3,560ft) - and the top of Wales!

The options for the descent will depend on the weather and the group. We can descend the same way, take the Rangers Path, or use the south ridge, rejoining the Rhyd Ddu Path lower down to return to the meeting location. Most groups complete this walk in 6-8 hours.

Good to Know

Meeting Time: 9am (to start walking at 9:15am)
Meeting Location:
Rhyd Ddu Station Car Park
Rhyd Ddu
LL54 6TN
We meet in Rhyd Ddu Station Car Park, which is located off the A4085.
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Parking: The meeting location is within the Rhyd Ddu Station Car Park, which costs £6 per vehicle - pay by card only. We advise arriving early as this car park can be busy in the summer months.

Public Transport: Rhyd Ddu is located 18 miles from Bangor Train Station, with services to/from Holyhead and Crewe. Rhyd Ddu station is for trains running on the Welsh Highland (heritage) Railway - it is not a mainline train station.
Bus services (limited) are available to/from Beddgelert and Dinorwig using the S3 Sherpa Bus.
Included:
- A Large Outdoors guide to lead you on your walk.
- The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
- Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not Included:
- Travel to and from the meeting location.
- Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
- Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
Please see our General (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.
What level of fitness is needed? This trip is rated as Active Plus and you certainly need to be capable of managing ascent and descent - you’ll be summiting Wales’ highest mountain after all! You’ll be walking around 9 miles (14.5 km) on the day, so ensure your training walks are an appropriate length and don’t forget to include some hills!
Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.
Is there a time limit? We generally allow up to 8 hours to complete the walk (up to the summit and back to the meeting location), which is adequate for the majority of participants. Our guides do their very best to accommodate the speed of the group they are leading, whilst providing the encouragement needed to complete the challenge. Most groups complete this walk in 6-8 hours.
Can I buy food/drink on the walk? There are no guaranteed stops for water refills or food along the route, so you should bring sufficient water (at least 2-3 litres per person) and plenty of food. Hafod Eryri – the summit building - is usually open from late spring until late autumn, with a café serving hot and cold drinks, plus snacks (but this is independently operated so we can’t guarantee availability, or that there will be time for your group to visit).
Is there a toilet? There are usually public toilets available at the meeting location and Hafod Eryri – the summit building - is usually open from late spring until late autumn and has toilets (but these are independently operated, so we can’t guarantee availability).
Can I attend on my own? Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.
Can I bring my dog? Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the activity and any additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

Why walk with a guide?

Walking with a guide is an enjoyable, inspiring experience that helps you get the most out of your adventures.

Tackling a mountain isn’t something many of us do often, so we always recommend doing so with an experienced, qualified guide.

Why?

Well, our guides are expert navigators with in-depth knowledge of the routes. They understand the weather conditions and can decide the safest course of action should the weather change. Our guides are first-aid certified and know how to handle unexpected emergency situations.

Our guides will pace the walk, helping you travel at a comfortable pace while providing encouragement. And what’s more, the guides on your challenge will know lots about the area, sharing fascinating information and answering your questions.

Want to make a weekend of it?

Snowdonia National Park is a beautiful and very special place worth exploring in depth. If you have a bit of a journey to get to Snowdonia, or if you’re just keen to turn your Snowdon challenge (albeit using a different route) into a brilliant, sociable weekend getaway, why not take a look at our Summit Snowdon Challenge Weekend?