Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn up Bera Bach: route map, distance and time
807 m · Snowdonia
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Aber Falls public path.
Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn starts at about 154 m and gains 712 m over 7.8 km to 783 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 1%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 5 km, which climbs 157 m at an average of 16%, with a 500 m stretch from 4.1 km at about 24%. The final 0.8 km eases to the top. About 10% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn at a glance
| Distance | 7.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 730 m |
| Climb on the track | 712 m up, 83 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 83 m to 783 m (summit 807 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 24%, from 4.1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 10% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Aber Falls public path, LL33 0LP |
| Start grid reference | SH 667 719 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 672 677 |
| Parking | Aber Falls upper car park; the postcode is approximate |
Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 107 m | -47 m | -5% | SH 664 717 |
| 2 km | 166 m | +59 m | 6% | SH 666 708 |
| 3 km | 198 m | +32 m | 3% | SH 665 700 |
| 4 km | 316 m | +118 m | 12% | SH 658 696 |
| 5 km | 474 m | +157 m | 16% | SH 652 691 |
| 6 km | 564 m | +90 m | 9% | SH 657 683 |
| 7 km | 719 m | +155 m | 16% | SH 663 677 |
| 7.8 km | 783 m | +64 m | 8% | SH 671 677 |
How long Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 25m | 5h 20m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:11. Start by 12:51 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:09. Start by 12:49 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Bera Bach summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Bera Bach right now. The main Bera Bach page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Bera Bach forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Bera Bach
More about Bera Bach, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Bera Bach
More walks from Aber Falls public path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn up Gyrn Wigau
Other routes up Bera Bach
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rachub northern upland paths | 5.1 km one way | 500 m | 1h 50m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 667 719, the summit at SH 672 677), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn: questions and answers
How far is Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn?
Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn is 7.8 km one way to the summit of Bera Bach, with 730 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 15.6 km.
How long does Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn take?
About 2h 45m to the summit of Bera Bach and 4h 20m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 5h 20m for the round trip.
How steep is Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn?
The steepest 500 m averages about 24%, starting 4.1 km from the start, and 10% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn climbs 712 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn?
Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn starts from Aber Falls public path (postcode LL33 0LP). The grid reference is SH 667 719. Aber Falls upper car park; the postcode is approximate
Is Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn suitable for beginners?
No. It is a scramble: you use your hands on rock, often with big drops below. Go with someone experienced, on a dry and calm day.
What time should I start Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn today?
By 12:51 at the latest. Sunset on Bera Bach today is 18:11, Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn takes about 4h 20m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Aber Falls and Bwlch Y Mawn?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.