Tŷ Nant via Pony Path 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 Tŷ Nant car park (Pony Path).
The Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge starts at about 161 m and gains 556 m over 5.8 km to 585 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%. It keeps climbing at 12% to the top. About 17% 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 | 5.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 600 m |
| Climb on the track | 556 m up, 134 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 161 m to 622 m (summit 622 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 25%, from 1.7 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 17% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 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 665 119 |
| 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 |
| 4 km | 612 m | +21 m | 2% | SH 675 134 |
| 5 km | 485 m | -127 m | -13% | SH 669 126 |
| 5.8 km | 585 m | +99 m | 12% | SH 665 119 |
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 45m | 2h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 4h 10m |
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 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 13:52 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:10. Start by 13:50 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
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 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-las
Other routes up Craig-y-llyn
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Llanfihangel-y-pennant and western ridge | 10.0 km one way | — | — | 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 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.
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 5.9 km one way to the summit of Craig-y-llyn, with 600 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.8 km.
How long does the Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge take?
About 2h 10m to the summit of Craig-y-llyn and 3h 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 4h 10m 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 17% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge climbs 556 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 13:52 at the latest. Sunset on Craig-y-llyn today is 18:12, The Tŷ Nant via Pony Path and western ridge takes about 3h 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.