diff --git a/core/blockchain.go b/core/blockchain.go
index 9e4562eb44..858eceb630 100644
--- a/core/blockchain.go
+++ b/core/blockchain.go
@@ -953,7 +953,8 @@ func (bc *BlockChain) rewindPathHead(head *types.Header, root common.Hash) (*typ
 	// Recover if the target state if it's not available yet.
 	if !bc.HasState(head.Root) {
 		if err := bc.triedb.Recover(head.Root); err != nil {
-			log.Crit("Failed to rollback state", "err", err)
+			log.Error("Failed to rollback state, resetting to genesis", "err", err)
+			return bc.genesisBlock.Header(), rootNumber
 		}
 	}
 	log.Info("Rewound to block with state", "number", head.Number, "hash", head.Hash())
@@ -1115,14 +1116,48 @@ func (bc *BlockChain) setHeadBeyondRoot(head uint64, time uint64, root common.Ha
 	return rootNumber, bc.loadLastState()
 }
 
-// SnapSyncCommitHead sets the current head block to the one defined by the hash
-// irrelevant what the chain contents were prior.
-func (bc *BlockChain) SnapSyncCommitHead(hash common.Hash) error {
+// SnapSyncStart disables the underlying databases (such as the trie DB and the
+// optional state snapshot) to prevent potential concurrent mutations between
+// snap sync and other chain operations.
+func (bc *BlockChain) SnapSyncStart() error {
+	if !bc.chainmu.TryLock() {
+		return errChainStopped
+	}
+	defer bc.chainmu.Unlock()
+
+	// Snap sync will directly modify the persistent state, making the entire
+	// trie database unusable until the state is fully synced. To prevent any
+	// subsequent state reads, explicitly disable the trie database and state
+	// syncer is responsible to address and correct any state missing.
+	if bc.TrieDB().Scheme() == rawdb.PathScheme {
+		if err := bc.TrieDB().Disable(); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	// Snap sync uses the snapshot namespace to store potentially flaky data until
+	// sync completely heals and finishes. Pause snapshot maintenance in the mean-
+	// time to prevent access.
+	if snapshots := bc.Snapshots(); snapshots != nil { // Only nil in tests
+		snapshots.Disable()
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// SnapSyncComplete sets the current head block to the block identified by the
+// given hash, regardless of the chain contents prior to snap sync. It is
+// invoked once snap sync completes and assumes that SnapSyncStart was called
+// previously.
+func (bc *BlockChain) SnapSyncComplete(hash common.Hash) error {
 	// Make sure that both the block as well at its state trie exists
 	block := bc.GetBlockByHash(hash)
 	if block == nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("non existent block [%x..]", hash[:4])
 	}
+	if !bc.chainmu.TryLock() {
+		return errChainStopped
+	}
+	defer bc.chainmu.Unlock()
+
 	// Reset the trie database with the fresh snap synced state.
 	root := block.Root()
 	if bc.triedb.Scheme() == rawdb.PathScheme {
@@ -1133,19 +1168,16 @@ func (bc *BlockChain) SnapSyncCommitHead(hash common.Hash) error {
 	if !bc.HasState(root) {
 		return fmt.Errorf("non existent state [%x..]", root[:4])
 	}
-	// If all checks out, manually set the head block.
-	if !bc.chainmu.TryLock() {
-		return errChainStopped
-	}
-	bc.currentBlock.Store(block.Header())
-	headBlockGauge.Update(int64(block.NumberU64()))
-	bc.chainmu.Unlock()
-
 	// Destroy any existing state snapshot and regenerate it in the background,
 	// also resuming the normal maintenance of any previously paused snapshot.
 	if bc.snaps != nil {
 		bc.snaps.Rebuild(root)
 	}
+
+	// If all checks out, manually set the head block.
+	bc.currentBlock.Store(block.Header())
+	headBlockGauge.Update(int64(block.NumberU64()))
+
 	log.Info("Committed new head block", "number", block.Number(), "hash", hash)
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/eth/catalyst/api.go b/eth/catalyst/api.go
index 7ab9cd57fd..cc9086b091 100644
--- a/eth/catalyst/api.go
+++ b/eth/catalyst/api.go
@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/eth/ethconfig"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/internal/version"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/log"
-	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/metrics"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/miner"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/node"
 	"github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/params"
@@ -81,20 +80,6 @@ const (
 	beaconUpdateWarnFrequency = 5 * time.Minute
 )
 
-var (
-	// Number of blobs requested via getBlobsV2
-	getBlobsRequestedCounter = metrics.NewRegisteredCounter("engine/getblobs/requested", nil)
-
-	// Number of blobs requested via getBlobsV2 that are present in the blobpool
-	getBlobsAvailableCounter = metrics.NewRegisteredCounter("engine/getblobs/available", nil)
-
-	// Number of times getBlobsV2 responded with “hit”
-	getBlobsV2RequestHit = metrics.NewRegisteredCounter("engine/getblobs/hit", nil)
-
-	// Number of times getBlobsV2 responded with “miss”
-	getBlobsV2RequestMiss = metrics.NewRegisteredCounter("engine/getblobs/miss", nil)
-)
-
 type ConsensusAPI struct {
 	eth *eth.Ethereum
 
@@ -137,6 +122,9 @@ type ConsensusAPI struct {
 
 // NewConsensusAPI creates a new consensus api for the given backend.
 // The underlying blockchain needs to have a valid terminal total difficulty set.
+//
+// This function creates a long-lived object with an attached background thread.
+// For testing or other short-term use cases, please use newConsensusAPIWithoutHeartbeat.
 func NewConsensusAPI(eth *eth.Ethereum) *ConsensusAPI {
 	api := newConsensusAPIWithoutHeartbeat(eth)
 	go api.heartbeat()
@@ -818,7 +806,7 @@ func (api *ConsensusAPI) delayPayloadImport(block *types.Block) engine.PayloadSt
 		return engine.PayloadStatusV1{Status: engine.SYNCING}
 	}
 	// Either no beacon sync was started yet, or it rejected the delivered
-	// payload as non-integratable on top of the existing sync. We'll just
+	// payload as non-integrate on top of the existing sync. We'll just
 	// have to rely on the beacon client to forcefully update the head with
 	// a forkchoice update request.
 	if api.eth.Downloader().ConfigSyncMode() == ethconfig.FullSync {
@@ -916,8 +904,6 @@ func (api *ConsensusAPI) invalid(err error, latestValid *types.Header) engine.Pa
 // heartbeat loops indefinitely, and checks if there have been beacon client updates
 // received in the last while. If not - or if they but strange ones - it warns the
 // user that something might be off with their consensus node.
-//
-// TODO(karalabe): Spin this goroutine down somehow
 func (api *ConsensusAPI) heartbeat() {
 	// Sleep a bit on startup since there's obviously no beacon client yet
 	// attached, so no need to print scary warnings to the user.
diff --git a/eth/catalyst/metrics.go b/eth/catalyst/metrics.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d0a733a22b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/eth/catalyst/metrics.go
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+// Copyright 2025 The go-ethereum Authors
+// This file is part of the go-ethereum library.
+//
+// The go-ethereum library is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// The go-ethereum library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+// GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+// along with the go-ethereum library. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+package catalyst
+
+import "github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum/metrics"
+
+var (
+	// Number of blobs requested via getBlobsV2
+	getBlobsRequestedCounter = metrics.NewRegisteredCounter("engine/getblobs/requested", nil)
+
+	// Number of blobs requested via getBlobsV2 that are present in the blobpool
+	getBlobsAvailableCounter = metrics.NewRegisteredCounter("engine/getblobs/available", nil)
+
+	// Number of times getBlobsV2 responded with “hit”
+	getBlobsV2RequestHit = metrics.NewRegisteredCounter("engine/getblobs/hit", nil)
+
+	// Number of times getBlobsV2 responded with “miss”
+	getBlobsV2RequestMiss = metrics.NewRegisteredCounter("engine/getblobs/miss", nil)
+)
diff --git a/eth/downloader/beaconsync.go b/eth/downloader/beaconsync.go
index 405643e576..750c224230 100644
--- a/eth/downloader/beaconsync.go
+++ b/eth/downloader/beaconsync.go
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ func (b *beaconBackfiller) suspend() *types.Header {
 	b.lock.Unlock()
 
 	if !filling {
+		log.Debug("Backfiller was inactive")
 		return filled // Return the filled header on the previous sync completion
 	}
 	// A previous filling should be running, though it may happen that it hasn't
@@ -73,6 +74,7 @@ func (b *beaconBackfiller) suspend() *types.Header {
 	// Now that we're sure the downloader successfully started up, we can cancel
 	// it safely without running the risk of data races.
 	b.downloader.Cancel()
+	log.Debug("Backfiller has been suspended")
 
 	// Sync cycle was just terminated, retrieve and return the last filled header.
 	// Can't use `filled` as that contains a stale value from before cancellation.
@@ -86,6 +88,7 @@ func (b *beaconBackfiller) resume() {
 		// If a previous filling cycle is still running, just ignore this start
 		// request. // TODO(karalabe): We should make this channel driven
 		b.lock.Unlock()
+		log.Debug("Backfiller is running")
 		return
 	}
 	b.filling = true
@@ -114,7 +117,9 @@ func (b *beaconBackfiller) resume() {
 		if b.success != nil {
 			b.success()
 		}
+		log.Debug("Backfilling completed")
 	}()
+	log.Debug("Backfilling started")
 }
 
 // SetBadBlockCallback sets the callback to run when a bad block is hit by the
diff --git a/eth/downloader/downloader.go b/eth/downloader/downloader.go
index 020dd7314b..e16014be95 100644
--- a/eth/downloader/downloader.go
+++ b/eth/downloader/downloader.go
@@ -193,8 +193,12 @@ type BlockChain interface {
 	// CurrentSnapBlock retrieves the head snap block from the local chain.
 	CurrentSnapBlock() *types.Header
 
-	// SnapSyncCommitHead directly commits the head block to a certain entity.
-	SnapSyncCommitHead(common.Hash) error
+	// SnapSyncStart explicitly notifies the chain that snap sync is scheduled and
+	// marks chain mutations as disallowed.
+	SnapSyncStart() error
+
+	// SnapSyncComplete directly commits the head block to a certain entity.
+	SnapSyncComplete(common.Hash) error
 
 	// InsertHeadersBeforeCutoff inserts a batch of headers before the configured
 	// chain cutoff into the ancient store.
@@ -361,28 +365,21 @@ func (d *Downloader) synchronise(beaconPing chan struct{}) (err error) {
 	if d.notified.CompareAndSwap(false, true) {
 		log.Info("Block synchronisation started")
 	}
-	mode := d.moder.get()
+
+	// Obtain the synchronized used in this cycle
+	mode := d.moder.get(true)
 	defer func() {
 		if err == nil && mode == ethconfig.SnapSync {
 			d.moder.disableSnap()
 			log.Info("Disabled snap-sync after the initial sync cycle")
 		}
 	}()
+
+	// Disable chain mutations when snap sync is selected, ensuring the
+	// downloader is the sole mutator.
 	if mode == ethconfig.SnapSync {
-		// Snap sync will directly modify the persistent state, making the entire
-		// trie database unusable until the state is fully synced. To prevent any
-		// subsequent state reads, explicitly disable the trie database and state
-		// syncer is responsible to address and correct any state missing.
-		if d.blockchain.TrieDB().Scheme() == rawdb.PathScheme {
-			if err := d.blockchain.TrieDB().Disable(); err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
-		}
-		// Snap sync uses the snapshot namespace to store potentially flaky data until
-		// sync completely heals and finishes. Pause snapshot maintenance in the mean-
-		// time to prevent access.
-		if snapshots := d.blockchain.Snapshots(); snapshots != nil { // Only nil in tests
-			snapshots.Disable()
+		if err := d.blockchain.SnapSyncStart(); err != nil {
+			return err
 		}
 	}
 	// Reset the queue, peer set and wake channels to clean any internal leftover state
@@ -427,7 +424,7 @@ func (d *Downloader) getMode() SyncMode {
 // ConfigSyncMode returns the sync mode configured for the node.
 // The actual running sync mode can differ from this.
 func (d *Downloader) ConfigSyncMode() SyncMode {
-	return d.moder.get()
+	return d.moder.get(false)
 }
 
 // syncToHead starts a block synchronization based on the hash chain from
@@ -1086,7 +1083,7 @@ func (d *Downloader) commitPivotBlock(result *fetchResult) error {
 	if _, err := d.blockchain.InsertReceiptChain([]*types.Block{block}, []rlp.RawValue{result.Receipts}, d.ancientLimit); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if err := d.blockchain.SnapSyncCommitHead(block.Hash()); err != nil {
+	if err := d.blockchain.SnapSyncComplete(block.Hash()); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	d.committed.Store(true)
diff --git a/eth/downloader/skeleton.go b/eth/downloader/skeleton.go
index 2cf9c4672b..c498ac84ec 100644
--- a/eth/downloader/skeleton.go
+++ b/eth/downloader/skeleton.go
@@ -64,6 +64,12 @@ var errSyncMerged = errors.New("sync merged")
 // should abort and restart with the new state.
 var errSyncReorged = errors.New("sync reorged")
 
+// errSyncTrimmed is an internal helper error to signal that the local chain
+// has been trimmed (e.g, via debug_setHead explicitly) and the skeleton chain
+// is no longer linked with the local chain. In this case, the skeleton sync
+// should be re-scheduled again.
+var errSyncTrimmed = errors.New("sync trimmed")
+
 // errTerminated is returned if the sync mechanism was terminated for this run of
 // the process. This is usually the case when Geth is shutting down and some events
 // might still be propagating.
@@ -296,6 +302,11 @@ func (s *skeleton) startup() {
 					// head to force a cleanup.
 					head = newhead
 
+				case err == errSyncTrimmed:
+					// The skeleton chain is not linked with the local chain anymore,
+					// restart the sync.
+					head = nil
+
 				case err == errTerminated:
 					// Sync was requested to be terminated from within, stop and
 					// return (no need to pass a message, was already done internally)
@@ -486,7 +497,22 @@ func (s *skeleton) sync(head *types.Header) (*types.Header, error) {
 			// is still running, it will pick it up. If it already terminated,
 			// a new cycle needs to be spun up.
 			if linked {
-				s.filler.resume()
+				linked = len(s.progress.Subchains) == 1 &&
+					rawdb.HasHeader(s.db, s.progress.Subchains[0].Next, s.scratchHead) &&
+					rawdb.HasBody(s.db, s.progress.Subchains[0].Next, s.scratchHead) &&
+					rawdb.HasReceipts(s.db, s.progress.Subchains[0].Next, s.scratchHead)
+
+				if linked {
+					// The skeleton chain has been extended and is still linked with the local
+					// chain, try to re-schedule the backfiller if it's already terminated.
+					s.filler.resume()
+				} else {
+					// The skeleton chain is no longer linked to the local chain for some reason
+					// (e.g. debug_setHead was used to trim the local chain). Re-schedule the
+					// skeleton sync to fill the chain gap.
+					log.Warn("Local chain has been trimmed", "tailnumber", s.scratchHead, "tailhash", s.progress.Subchains[0].Next)
+					return nil, errSyncTrimmed
+				}
 			}
 
 		case req := <-requestFails:
@@ -649,9 +675,19 @@ func (s *skeleton) processNewHead(head *types.Header, final *types.Header) error
 		// Not a noop / double head announce, abort with a reorg
 		return fmt.Errorf("%w, tail: %d, head: %d, newHead: %d", errChainReorged, lastchain.Tail, lastchain.Head, number)
 	}
+	// Terminate the sync if the chain head is gapped
 	if lastchain.Head+1 < number {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%w, head: %d, newHead: %d", errChainGapped, lastchain.Head, number)
 	}
+	// Ignore the duplicated beacon header announcement
+	if lastchain.Head == number {
+		local := rawdb.ReadSkeletonHeader(s.db, number)
+		if local != nil && local.Hash() == head.Hash() {
+			log.Debug("Ignored the identical beacon header", "number", number, "hash", local.Hash())
+			return nil
+		}
+	}
+	// Terminate the sync if the chain head is forked
 	if parent := rawdb.ReadSkeletonHeader(s.db, number-1); parent.Hash() != head.ParentHash {
 		return fmt.Errorf("%w, ancestor: %d, hash: %s, want: %s", errChainForked, number-1, parent.Hash(), head.ParentHash)
 	}
@@ -669,6 +705,7 @@ func (s *skeleton) processNewHead(head *types.Header, final *types.Header) error
 	if err := batch.Write(); err != nil {
 		log.Crit("Failed to write skeleton sync status", "err", err)
 	}
+	log.Debug("Extended beacon header chain", "number", head.Number, "hash", head.Hash())
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -1206,6 +1243,7 @@ func (s *skeleton) cleanStales(filled *types.Header) error {
 	if err := batch.Write(); err != nil {
 		log.Crit("Failed to write beacon trim data", "err", err)
 	}
+	log.Debug("Cleaned stale beacon headers", "start", start, "end", end)
 	return nil
 }
 
diff --git a/eth/downloader/syncmode.go b/eth/downloader/syncmode.go
index 7983d39e3a..036119ce3d 100644
--- a/eth/downloader/syncmode.go
+++ b/eth/downloader/syncmode.go
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ func newSyncModer(mode ethconfig.SyncMode, chain BlockChain, disk ethdb.KeyValue
 
 // get retrieves the current sync mode, either explicitly set, or derived
 // from the chain status.
-func (m *syncModer) get() ethconfig.SyncMode {
+func (m *syncModer) get(report bool) ethconfig.SyncMode {
 	m.lock.Lock()
 	defer m.lock.Unlock()
 
@@ -83,12 +83,16 @@ func (m *syncModer) get() ethconfig.SyncMode {
 	if m.mode == ethconfig.SnapSync {
 		return ethconfig.SnapSync
 	}
+	logger := log.Debug
+	if report {
+		logger = log.Info
+	}
 	// We are probably in full sync, but we might have rewound to before the
 	// snap sync pivot, check if we should re-enable snap sync.
 	head := m.chain.CurrentBlock()
 	if pivot := rawdb.ReadLastPivotNumber(m.disk); pivot != nil {
 		if head.Number.Uint64() < *pivot {
-			log.Info("Reenabled snap-sync as chain is lagging behind the pivot", "head", head.Number, "pivot", pivot)
+			logger("Reenabled snap-sync as chain is lagging behind the pivot", "head", head.Number, "pivot", pivot)
 			return ethconfig.SnapSync
 		}
 	}
@@ -96,7 +100,7 @@ func (m *syncModer) get() ethconfig.SyncMode {
 	// the head state, forcefully rerun the snap sync. Note it doesn't mean the
 	// persistent state is corrupted, just mismatch with the head block.
 	if !m.chain.HasState(head.Root) {
-		log.Info("Reenabled snap-sync as chain is stateless")
+		logger("Reenabled snap-sync as chain is stateless")
 		return ethconfig.SnapSync
 	}
 	// Nope, we're really full syncing
diff --git a/triedb/pathdb/generate.go b/triedb/pathdb/generate.go
index 2efbbbb4e1..d3d26fff26 100644
--- a/triedb/pathdb/generate.go
+++ b/triedb/pathdb/generate.go
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@ func (g *generator) stop() {
 	g.abort <- ch
 	<-ch
 	g.running = false
+	log.Debug("Snapshot generation has been terminated")
 }
 
 // completed returns the flag indicating if the whole generation is done.