South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge 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 hard mountain walk to the summit from Ogwen Cottage north-side path.
The South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge starts at about 314 m and gains 772 m over 3.5 km to 1,022 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 404 m (40%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 404 m at an average of 40%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.5 km at about 52%. It keeps climbing at 12% to the top. About 40% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge at a glance
| Distance | 3.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 790 m |
| Climb on the track | 772 m up, 63 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 296 m to 1,026 m (summit 1,044 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 52%, from 0.5 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 40% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Ogwen Cottage north-side path, LL57 3LZ |
| Start grid reference | SH 650 604 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 662 630 |
| Parking | Llyn Ogwen / Ogwen Centre car park; the postcode is approximate |
South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge 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 South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge 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.
South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge 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 | 718 m | +404 m | 40% steep | SH 652 612 |
| 2 km | 949 m | +231 m | 23% steep | SH 655 619 |
| 3 km | 955 m | +6 m | 1% | SH 658 627 |
| 3.5 km | 1,022 m | +67 m | 12% | SH 662 630 |
How long the South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 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 07:48, sunset 18:14. Start by 14:29 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 14:26 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m 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 the South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge: 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 Ogwen Cottage north-side path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Ogwen via Y Garn and Mynydd Perfedd up Elidir Fawr
- Devil's Kitchen / Twll Du and plateau traverse up Glyder Fach
- Senior's Gully and Ridge and plateau traverse up Glyder Fach
- Y Gribin and plateau traverse up Glyder Fach
- Bristly Ridge up Glyder Fach
- Devil's Kitchen / Twll Du up Glyder Fawr
- Senior's Gully and Ridge up Glyder Fawr
- Y Gribin up Glyder Fawr
- Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse up Glyder Fawr
- South-west ridge from Ogwen up Pen yr Ole Wen
- North East Ridge up Y Garn
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 |
| 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 650 604, 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.
South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge: questions and answers
How far is the South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge?
The South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge is 3.5 km one way to the summit of Carnedd Dafydd, with 790 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.0 km.
How long does the South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge take?
About 2h 0m to the summit of Carnedd Dafydd and 2h 45m 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 20m for the round trip.
How steep is the South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 52%, starting 0.5 km from the start, and 40% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge climbs 772 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge?
The South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge starts from Ogwen Cottage north-side path (postcode LL57 3LZ). The grid reference is SH 650 604. Llyn Ogwen / Ogwen Centre car park; the postcode is approximate
Is the South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as Ogwen via Cwm Lloer and Pen yr Ole Wen.
What time should I start the South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge today?
By 14:29 at the latest. Sunset on Carnedd Dafydd today is 18:14, The South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge takes about 2h 45m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge?
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.