Llyn y Gader Short Walk from Rhyd Ddu
Further Details
Route Summary:
Short walk from Rhyd Ddu
Distance |
Ascent |
Time |
6.74 km | 179 m | 2 hours |
Activivity Type: Moderate Walk
Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.
Summits and Places on this Route
Facilities
VERY decent pub and tearoom in the village, WC at car park.
Check out the businesses nearby for more places to stay and drink.
Hazards
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.
Parking : LL54 6TN
Snowdon Car Park
Public Transport:
Sherpa Buses and WHR to Rhyd Ddu.
Weather Forecast:
Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather
Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Llyn y Gader Short Walk from Rhyd Ddu Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download
Download file for GPS
Llyn y Gader Short Walk from Rhyd Ddu
This shorter walk is suitable as an alternative route to Snowdon for when conditions aren’t ideal, or if you’ve only a few hours to spare in the evening. The final descent is particularly impressive during the sunset, and it’s worth timing it to suit.
1 The route starts from the Rhyd Ddu car park, with the Lon Las Gwyrfai path proper beginning on the other side of the main road. It’s clearly signposted, and well built, making it an easy start. It takes you around a cottage (just about visible below), where you’ll need to turn left towards the lake rather than right for the Nantlle Ridge just beyond.
2  The track now crosses a causeway, complete with overkill eyesore mesh fence, along the edge of Llyn y Gader,with some excellent views all around, before arriving at an old quarry at the far end. Here the path veers left, along the actual lakeside, before entering the forest.
3 The path remains easy to follow through the forestry, which soon joins  a forestry track. Ignore the first junction to your right, and continue until you join another forestry track where a waymarker clearly points left. Follow the track from 300m, cross the WHR and arrive at the road junction.
4 You’ll need to turn left along the road  until you reach Fridd Uchaf in 600m, but be wary of traffic on this section as there’s no pavement or verge. This is also known as Pitt’s Head, named after a nearby boulder that looked like the then Prime Minister. It was also historically part of the Beddgelert Path up Snowdon which has been taken over by the Rhyd Path, but is now rarely ever used.
5 The track is easy to follow through Ffridd Uchaf farm, before heading uphill past a stand of trees and then onto open hillside. The section from the farm to the Rhyd Ddu path is just shy of 1km in distance, and has a few wet sections. This section is also the only significant bit of climbing on the route.
6 There’s a great big rock that proclaims you’ve arrived at the Rhyd ddu path where you’ll need to turn left and back to Rhyd Ddu.
7 The final descent on the Rhyd Ddu path is straightforward, but with excellent views towards the Nantlle Ridge as well as being a prime spot for sunsets (even ITV Weather agrees with us!). The track eventually joins a farm track, where you turn left to cross the WHR and arrive at the Rhyd Ddu car park. Turn right at this point if you want to visit the village, which has a tea room and an excellent pub.
Dave Roberts
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Routes Nearby
- Mynydd Mawr from Rhyd Ddu - 0.0km
- Yr Aran From Rhyd Ddu - 0.0km
- Best Guidebook Walks 1 – Nantlle Ridge - 0.0km
- Snowdonia Walks from Rhyd Ddu - 0.0km
- Lon Gwyrfai – Rhyd Ddu to Beddgelert - 0.0km
Accommodation Nearby:Â
- Snowdonia Bunkhouse - 0.2km
- Summit to Savour - 5.0km
- Nook Snowdonia - 7.0km
- Llyn Gwynant Campsite - 7.9km
- Pen y Gwryd Hotel - 9.5km
Campsites Nearby:
- Llyn Gwynant Campsite - 7.9km
- Your Snowdonia Business Here for free? - 9.5km
- Gwern Gôf Uchaf Campsite - 13.7km
- Gwern Gôf Isaf Campsite - 13.7km
- Dol Gam Campsite and B&B - 18.1km
Pubs and Cafes Nearby:Â
- Mallorys YHA, Pen y Pass - 8.3km
- Pen y Gwryd Hotel - 9.5km
- Your Snowdonia Business Here for free? - 9.5km
- The Black Boy Inn - 13.4km
- Cynllwyd Cafe – Llyn Crafnant - 18.7km
Other Businesses Nearby:Â
- Snowdonia Bunkhouse - 0.2km
- Summit to Savour - 5.0km
- Snowdon Events - 7.3km
- Mallorys YHA, Pen y Pass - 8.3km
- Pen y Gwryd Hotel - 9.5km
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