Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge up Craig-y-llyn: route map, distance and time
622 m · Dolgellau to Machynlleth
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Llanfihangel-y-pennant public path.
The Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge starts at about 37 m and gains 693 m over 10.0 km to 585 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 5%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 121 m at an average of 12%, with a 500 m stretch from 9.4 km at about 17%. The final kilometre eases to the top.
Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge at a glance
| Distance | 10.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 693 m up, 145 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 24 m to 622 m (summit 622 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 17%, from 9.4 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 3% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Llanfihangel-y-pennant public path, LL36 9TU |
| Start grid reference | SH 671 087 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 665 119 |
| Parking | Llanfihangel-y-Pennant village car park; the postcode is approximate |
Llanfihangel-y-pennant 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 Llanfihangel-y-pennant 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.
Llanfihangel-y-pennant 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 | 50 m | +13 m | 1% | SH 674 096 |
| 2 km | 135 m | +85 m | 9% | SH 675 105 |
| 3 km | 256 m | +121 m | 12% | SH 678 113 |
| 4 km | 324 m | +68 m | 7% | SH 677 122 |
| 5 km | 449 m | +125 m | 12% | SH 682 125 |
| 6 km | 530 m | +81 m | 8% | SH 689 132 |
| 7 km | 583 m | +53 m | 5% | SH 686 134 |
| 8 km | 620 m | +36 m | 4% | SH 676 135 |
| 9 km | 497 m | -122 m | -12% | SH 670 128 |
| 10 km | 585 m | +87 m | 9% | SH 665 119 |
How long the Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 4h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 10m | 5h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 55m | 6h 25m |
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.
Craig-y-llyn summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Craig-y-llyn right now. The main Craig-y-llyn page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Craig-y-llyn forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Craig-y-llyn
More about Craig-y-llyn, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Craig-y-llyn
More walks from Llanfihangel-y-pennant public path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Llanfihangel-y-pennant Path up Cadair Idris
- Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge up Cyfrwy
- Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge up Craig-las
Other routes up Craig-y-llyn
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge | 5.9 km one way | 600 m | 2h 10m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 671 087, the summit at SH 665 119), 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.
Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge?
The Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge is 10.0 km one way to the summit of Craig-y-llyn. There and back by the same way is about 20.0 km.
How steep is the Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 17%, starting 9.4 km from the start, and 3% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge climbs 693 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge?
The Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge starts from Llanfihangel-y-pennant public path (postcode LL36 9TU). The grid reference is SH 671 087. Llanfihangel-y-Pennant village car park; the postcode is approximate
Is the Llanfihangel-y-pennant 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.
Is there a GPX for the Llanfihangel-y-pennant 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.