| Issue 32 | |
October 2006 |
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Snowdon Ranger YH is a superb centre for mountain walking.The most obvious reason to stay is to climb Snowdon by the direct route from the hostel. A good night's sleep, a hearty breakfast and a prompt start and the averge walker can reach the summit in plenty of time for lunch. You'll need to take all your food and drink with you at the moment though as the summit cafe is undergoing a total rebuild and will not reopen until 2008. Return can be made either by the same route or by taking the Rhydd Ddu path.
But there are plenty of other things to do from the hostel including many other mountain walking routes, a ride on the narrow gauge railway or a visit to historic Caernarfon.
Snowdon
Snowdon Ranger Path The path that bears the same name as the hostel is one of the easier routes to the top. There is a steep ascent to begin with, followed by a gradual climb to a small lake then a steep pull up the breezy western ridge to join the Llanberis path at its junction with the Pyg track. In good weather this well marked but not heavily eroded path should be within reach of any moderately fit adult. Allow 2½ - 3 hours for this 4 mile, 895m climb. On a clear day look out for fine views to the south towards the Moel Hebog range. Return by the same route or the more adventurous could take the Rhyd Ddu path, with an exciting traverse of Bwlch Main to begin with, but a rather tedious road walk from Rhyd Ddu to finish.
Other routes (from Rhydd Ddu)
Mynydd Mawr This attractive mountain gives good views across to Snowdon and the jagged Nantlle ridge. The easy out and back route from Rhyd Ddu should take 3-4 hours.
Nantlle Ridge For the more ambitious and experienced this ridge offers some rewarding days in the mountains with plenty of steep rocky climbs and the occasional need to use hands as well as feet.
A new attraction at Snowdon Ranger is the recently constructed narrow gauge steam railway. The Welsh Highland Railway runs between Caernarfon and Rhydd Ddu and can be boarded at the Snowdon Ranger Halt. The line is 12 miles long and the full journey takes just over an hour at a leisurely pace, with plenty of time to take in the spectacular scenery. The return fare to Caernarfon is a pricey £15.50, with the All Day Rover probably better value at £16.50, but for a short taster the return fare to Rhydd Ddu is only £3.10. The railway operates from April 8th - November 5th 2006 and there is a special service of Santa Trains on some December weekends.
The town of Caernarfon lies 6 miles north west of the hostel on the shores of the Menai straits. The strategic importance of this site overlooking the Isle of Anglesey was recognised by Caesar Julius Agricola when he completed the Roman conquest of Wales in AD77. He established a major garrison for up to 1000 troops at what became known as Segontium, a latinised version of the nearby river Seiont. The remains can still be seen today on the hillside just above the town. Segontium was the main military and administrative centre for north-west Wales for over 300 years of Roman occupation.
By the time of Edward 1's conquest of Wales it is clear that the strategic importance of the area was undiminished. He felt the need to build the grandest and most palatial of all his Welsh castles on the banks of the river Seiont. Today it is deservedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in north Wales, if not the whole of Wales. It's massive walls and unusually shaped towers are best seen by crossing the footbridge to the west bank of the river. Edward also built the walled town and the walls survive virtually intact today but unfortunately it is not possible to walk upon them as it is at Conwy.
With this long history it is perhaps not surprising that Caernarfon is still the administrative centre for the county of Gwynedd with the unobtrusively modern county hall located within the town walls. It could be said that apart from the castle there is little for the vistor to see in Caernarfon, but try taking a walk around the old streets, particularly the ones within the walls and take in the strong Welsh ambience of the place.
The building housing Snowdon Ranger Youth Hostel has been catering for travellers for over 150 years. It was formerly a hotel and it is named after an early mountain guide who pioneered this route up Snowdon and called himself the Snowdon Ranger. It has been a youth hostel since 1937. It sits alongside the A4085 Caernarfon - Beddgelert road and there is parking at the hostel for around 12 cars. Should the parking area at the hostel be full there is plentyful free parking at the public car park just round the corner.
There is a cozy common room with lots of books, magazines and games and a computer giving free access to the YHA website and a few other tourist sites.On the first floor there is a games room with pool and table football. As befits a mountain hostel there is a large drying room. The dining room has been equipped fairly recently with sturdy wooden furniture and is used both self caterers and those taking hostel meals but when busy self caterers may need to use the tables in the common room. A full meals service is available and to wash the food down there is a range of locally brewed beers along with wine and cider. Outside, a path leads through the overgown garden to a small beach on the lake; could be just the thing for cooling down on a hot day in July!
Public Transport
The hostel is on the route of the Snowdon Sherpa route S4 which runs around 8 buses per day from Caernarfon, Monday to Saturday, and 2 on Sunday (Winter 2006/7). The bus continues to Rhyd Ddu and Beddgelert, where connections can be made to Pen-y-Pass.
