Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa up Carnedd Llewelyn: route map, distance and time
1,064 m · Snowdonia
Carnedd Llewelyn is the highest summit of the Carneddau, a broad, stony plateau at the centre of Snowdonia's northern range.
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Cwm Eigiau road-end track.
Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa starts at about 376 m and gains 937 m over 9.7 km to 1,049 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 9%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 9.7 km, which climbs 145 m at an average of 21%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 11% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa at a glance
| Distance | 9.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 930 m |
| Climb on the track | 937 m up, 268 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 376 m to 1,051 m (summit 1,064 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 24%, from 9.1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 11% of the way |
| Time up | 3h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 5h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Cwm Eigiau road-end track, LL32 8SH |
| Start grid reference | SH 731 663 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 683 643 |
| Parking | Cwm Eigiau road-end car park (SH731662); the postcode is approximate |
Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Download the Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa 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.
Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa 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 | 453 m | +77 m | 8% | SH 725 669 |
| 2 km | 542 m | +89 m | 9% | SH 717 665 |
| 3 km | 683 m | +142 m | 14% | SH 713 657 |
| 4 km | 728 m | +44 m | 4% | SH 705 651 |
| 5 km | 839 m | +111 m | 11% | SH 696 651 |
| 6 km | 946 m | +107 m | 11% | SH 687 650 |
| 7 km | 1,028 m | +83 m | 8% | SH 684 642 |
| 8 km | 846 m | -183 m | -18% | SH 691 637 |
| 9 km | 904 m | +59 m | 6% | SH 688 640 |
| 9.7 km | 1,049 m | +145 m | 21% steep | SH 683 643 |
How long Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 50m | 4h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 30m | 5h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 15m | 6h 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 11:49 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 11:46 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Carnedd Llewelyn 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 32 mph, 21% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 37 mph gusting 47 mph, 73% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11.
Best day of the next seven for Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 32 mph and a 21% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 2% (Low), best around 05:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Carnedd Llewelyn forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Carnedd Llewelyn?
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 32 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 Llewelyn
Carnedd Llewelyn is the highest summit of the Carneddau, a broad, stony plateau at the centre of Snowdonia's northern range. More about Carnedd Llewelyn, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, county top.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Yr Elen (962 m), 1.2 km north-west
- Foel Grach (975 m), 1.6 km north
- Pen yr Helgi Du (833 m), 1.9 km south-east
- Carnedd Dafydd (1,044 m), 2.5 km south-west
- Garnedd Uchaf (925 m), 2.6 km north
- Foel Meirch (799 m), 2.6 km west
Challenges that include Carnedd Llewelyn
- 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
- Marilyns · 1,555
More walks from Cwm Eigiau road-end track
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Cwm Eigiau via the eastern Foel Grach ridge up Garnedd Uchaf
Other routes up Carnedd Llewelyn
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd | 7.4 km one way | 910 m | 3h 0m | Moderate |
| South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge | 6.5 km one way | 940 m | 2h 50m | Hard |
| Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge | 6.7 km one way | 890 m | 2h 50m | Hard |
| Cwm Eigiau via the eastern Foel Grach ridge | 12.0 km one way | 830 m | 3h 45m | Hard |
| Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach | 9.8 km one way | 830 m | 3h 20m | Hard |
| Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum and northern ridge | 11.1 km one way | 840 m | 3h 35m | Hard |
| Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge | 11.7 km one way | 1,000 m | 4h 0m | Hard |
| Abergwyngregyn via Drum via Drum and northern ridge | 11.3 km one way | 960 m | 3h 50m | Hard |
| Ogwen via Pen yr Helgi Du | 8.3 km one way | 879 m | 3h 10m | Scramble |
| East Ridge via Ffynnon Lloer and Carneddau ridge | 7.4 km one way | 920 m | 3h 0m | Scramble |
| Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur and Carnedd Dafydd | 9.2 km one way | 1,000 m | 3h 30m | Scramble |
| Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa | 5.0 km one way | 780 m | 2h 20m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 731 663, the summit at SH 683 643), 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.
Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa: questions and answers
How far is Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa?
Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa is 9.7 km one way to the summit of Carnedd Llewelyn, with 930 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 19.4 km.
How long does Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa take?
About 3h 30m to the summit of Carnedd Llewelyn and 5h 25m 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 6h 45m for the round trip.
How steep is Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa?
The steepest 500 m averages about 24%, starting 9.1 km from the start, and 11% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa climbs 937 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa?
Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa starts from Cwm Eigiau road-end track (postcode LL32 8SH). The grid reference is SH 731 663. Cwm Eigiau road-end car park (SH731662); the postcode is approximate
Is Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa 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 Carnedd Dafydd instead.
What time should I start Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa today?
By 11:49 at the latest. Sunset on Carnedd Llewelyn today is 18:14, Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa takes about 5h 25m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Cwm Eigiau via Bwlch Eryl Farchog and Craig yr Ysfa?
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.