Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen 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 path into Cwm Lloer, then up the east ridge to Pen yr Ole Wen and along the broad ridge to the summit.
Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen starts at about 314 m and gains 741 m over 4.4 km to 1,022 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 169 m (17%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 250 m at an average of 25%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.2 km at about 30%. It keeps climbing at 11% to the top. About 40% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen at a glance
| Distance | 4.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 770 m |
| Climb on the track | 741 m up, 31 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 313 m to 1,026 m (summit 1,044 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 30%, from 2.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 40% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Glan Denau path junction |
| Start grid reference | SH 669 607 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 662 630 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen 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
- Public toilets0.5 km
- Public toilets1.7 km
- Public toilets1.7 km
- Gwern Gof Uchaf Campsite0.4 km
- Gwern Gôf Isaf Campsite & Bunkhouses1.8 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen 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.
Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen 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 | 483 m | +169 m | 17% | SH 666 614 |
| 2 km | 733 m | +250 m | 25% steep | SH 662 617 |
| 3 km | 923 m | +190 m | 19% | SH 654 620 |
| 4 km | 980 m | +57 m | 6% | SH 660 628 |
| 4.4 km | 1,022 m | +42 m | 11% | SH 662 630 |
How long Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 3h 45m |
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 14:09 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 14:06 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 5m 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 Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen: 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 Glan Denau path junction
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Ogwen via Pen yr Helgi Du up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd up Carnedd Llewelyn
- East Ridge via Ffynnon Lloer and Carneddau ridge up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Glan Dena via Cwm Lloer up Pen yr Ole Wen
- Heather Terrace and South Ridge up Tryfan
- South Ridge up Tryfan
Other routes up Carnedd Dafydd
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge | 3.5 km one way | 790 m | 2h 0m | Hard |
| Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur | 6.2 km one way | 850 m | 2h 40m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 669 607, 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.
Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen: questions and answers
How far is Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen?
Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen is 4.4 km one way to the summit of Carnedd Dafydd, with 770 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.8 km.
How long does Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen take?
About 2h 10m to the summit of Carnedd Dafydd and 3h 5m 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 3h 45m for the round trip.
How steep is Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen?
The steepest 500 m averages about 30%, starting 2.2 km from the start, and 40% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen climbs 741 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen?
Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen starts from Glan Denau path junction. The grid reference is SH 669 607. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen today?
By 14:09 at the latest. Sunset on Carnedd Dafydd today is 18:14, Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen takes about 3h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen?
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.