Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur up Carnedd Dafydd: route map, distance and time
1,044 m · Snowdonia
Carnedd Dafydd is the second highest summit of the Carneddau, a stony dome above Ogwen with the cliffs of Ysgolion Duon on its north face.
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Gerlan public footpath.
Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur starts at about 282 m and gains 832 m over 6.2 km to 1,022 m on the track. The first 5 km are the easy part, averaging 5%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6 km, which climbs 460 m at an average of 46%, with a 500 m stretch from 5.5 km at about 59%. It keeps climbing at 12% to the top. About 18% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur at a glance
| Distance | 6.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 850 m |
| Climb on the track | 832 m up, 92 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 214 m to 1,028 m (summit 1,044 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 59%, from 5.5 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 18% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Gerlan public footpath |
| Start grid reference | SH 638 663 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 662 630 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur 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
- Douglas Arms1.4 km
- Cwrw Tŷ Mo1.6 km
- Y Sior1.6 km
- Caffi Seren1.6 km
- Coed y Brenin1.7 km
- Public toilets1.7 km
- Ogwen Bank Holiday Park & Country Club1.4 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur 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.
Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur 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 | 230 m | -52 m | -5% | SH 636 660 |
| 2 km | 328 m | +98 m | 10% | SH 643 655 |
| 3 km | 420 m | +91 m | 9% | SH 652 651 |
| 4 km | 447 m | +27 m | 3% | SH 659 644 |
| 5 km | 539 m | +93 m | 9% | SH 664 637 |
| 6 km | 999 m | +460 m | 46% steep | SH 664 631 |
| 6.2 km | 1,022 m | +23 m | 12% | SH 662 630 |
How long Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 3h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 15m | 4h 50m |
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 07:48, sunset 18:14. Start by 13:19 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 13:16 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Carnedd Dafydd summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 25 mph gusting 31 mph, 21% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Dense drizzle, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 36 mph gusting 45 mph, 73% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11.
Best day of the next seven for Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 31 mph and a 21% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 2% (Low), best around 04:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Carnedd Dafydd forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Carnedd Dafydd?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -5°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 31 mph.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Carnedd Dafydd
Carnedd Dafydd is the second highest summit of the Carneddau, a stony dome above Ogwen with the cliffs of Ysgolion Duon on its north face. More about Carnedd Dafydd, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall, HuMP.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Foel Meirch (799 m), 0.8 km north-west
- Pen yr Ole Wen (978 m), 1.3 km south-west
- Yr Elen (962 m), 2.3 km north-east
- Carnedd Llewelyn (1,064 m), 2.5 km north-east
Challenges that include Carnedd Dafydd
- Welsh 3000s · 15
- Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
- Welsh 1000m Peaks · 5
- Snowdonia 900m Peaks · 16
- Carneddau Traverse · 7
- Paddy Buckley Round · 47
- Furths · 34
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
More walks from Gerlan public footpath
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur and Carnedd Dafydd up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge up Yr Elen
- Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau up Foel Meirch
Other routes up Carnedd Dafydd
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen | 4.4 km one way | 770 m | 2h 10m | Moderate |
| South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge | 3.5 km one way | 790 m | 2h 0m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 638 663, the summit at SH 662 630), 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.
Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur: questions and answers
How far is Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur?
Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur is 6.2 km one way to the summit of Carnedd Dafydd, with 850 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.4 km.
How long does Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur take?
About 2h 40m to the summit of Carnedd Dafydd and 3h 55m 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 4h 50m for the round trip.
How steep is Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur?
The steepest 500 m averages about 59%, starting 5.5 km from the start, and 18% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur climbs 832 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur?
Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur starts from Gerlan public footpath. The grid reference is SH 638 663. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur 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, or take Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen instead.
What time should I start Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur today?
By 13:19 at the latest. Sunset on Carnedd Dafydd today is 18:14, Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur takes about 3h 55m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur?
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.