Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge up Craig-las: route map, distance and time
661 m · Dolgellau to Machynlleth
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path).
The Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge starts at about 161 m and gains 457 m over 3.8 km to 615 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 138 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 186 m at an average of 19%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.7 km at about 25%. The final 0.8 km eases to the top. About 24% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge at a glance
| Distance | 3.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 500 m |
| Climb on the track | 457 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 161 m to 619 m (summit 661 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 25%, from 1.7 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 24% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path), LL40 1TN |
| Start grid reference | SH 697 152 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 677 135 |
| Parking | Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path) (SH697153); the postcode is approximate |
Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western 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 Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western 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.
Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western 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 | 299 m | +138 m | 14% | SH 696 144 |
| 2 km | 486 m | +186 m | 19% | SH 690 137 |
| 3 km | 591 m | +105 m | 11% | SH 684 134 |
| 3.8 km | 615 m | +24 m | 3% | SH 677 135 |
How long the Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 1h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 55m |
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 18:12. Start by 14:52 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:10. Start by 14:50 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Craig-las summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 31 mph gusting 39 mph, 98% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:12.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Light drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 18 mph gusting 25 mph, 64% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:10.
Best day of the next seven for the Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge: Tuesday 20 October, with summit gusts around 25 mph and a 64% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Craig-las forecast
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 -1°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 98% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 39 mph.
- 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 Craig-las
More about Craig-las, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Craig-las
More walks from Tŷ Nant car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Pony Path from Ty Nant up Cadair Idris
- Fox's Path via Llyn Gafr and Llyn y Gadair up Cadair Idris
- Pony Path and Penygadair ridge up Mynydd Moel
- Pony Path and Penygadair up Craig Cwm Amarch
- Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge up Cyfrwy
- Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge up Craig-y-llyn
Other routes up Craig-las
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge | 8.0 km one way | 640 m | 2h 40m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 697 152, the summit at SH 677 135), 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.
Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge?
The Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge is 3.8 km one way to the summit of Craig-las, with 500 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.6 km.
How long does the Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge take?
About 1h 35m to the summit of Craig-las and 2h 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 2h 55m for the round trip.
How steep is the Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 25%, starting 1.7 km from the start, and 24% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge climbs 457 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge?
The Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge starts from Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path) (postcode LL40 1TN). The grid reference is SH 697 152. Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path) (SH697153); the postcode is approximate
Is the Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western 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.
What time should I start the Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge today?
By 14:52 at the latest. Sunset on Craig-las today is 18:12, The Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge takes about 2h 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 the Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western 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.