Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant up Crib Goch: route map, distance and time
923 m · Snowdonia
Crib Goch is the knife-edge ridge on the Snowdon Horseshoe, an exposed grade one scramble and one of Britain's most famous ridges.
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Blaen y Nant footpath junction.
Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant starts at about 180 m and gains 693 m over 3.0 km to 857 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 199 m (20%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 248 m at an average of 26%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.5 km at about 39%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 69% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant at a glance
| Distance | 3.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 760 m |
| Climb on the track | 693 m up, 16 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 169 m to 859 m (summit 923 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 39%, from 1.5 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 69% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Blaen y Nant footpath junction, LL55 4UF |
| Start grid reference | SH 620 569 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 624 551 |
| Parking | Nant Peris park and ride car park; the postcode is approximate |
Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant 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 Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant 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.
Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant 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 | 379 m | +199 m | 20% steep | SH 618 564 |
| 2 km | 609 m | +230 m | 23% steep | SH 621 558 |
| 3 km | 857 m | +248 m | 26% steep | SH 624 552 |
How long Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 0m |
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 14:44 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:42 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Crib Goch summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 27 mph gusting 33 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14.
-
Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 42 mph gusting 52 mph, 90% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12.
Best day of the next seven for Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 33 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 1% (Low), best around 05:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Crib Goch forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Crib Goch?
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 -4°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 33 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 Crib Goch
Crib Goch is the knife-edge ridge on the Snowdon Horseshoe, an exposed grade one scramble and one of Britain's most famous ridges. More about Crib Goch, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Crib y Ddysgl (1,065 m), 1.3 km west
- Yr Wyddfa - Snowdon (1,085 m), 1.6 km south-west
- Y Lliwedd (898 m), 1.9 km south
- Y Lliwedd East Top (893 m), 1.9 km south
- Lliwedd Bach (819 m), 2 km south
- Llechog (720 m), 2.4 km north-west
Challenges that include Crib Goch
- Welsh 3000s · 15
- Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
- Snowdonia 900m Peaks · 16
- Snowdon Horseshoe · 4
- Furths · 34
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
More walks from Blaen y Nant footpath junction
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant up Crib y Ddysgl
- Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant up Snowdon
Other routes up Crib Goch
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pen y Pass via Bwlch y Moch | 6.3 km one way | 778 m | 2h 35m | Scramble |
| East Ridge and crest | 2.6 km one way | 560 m | 1h 25m | Scramble |
| Fox's Path and Crib Goch North Ridge | 4.0 km one way | 630 m | 1h 50m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 620 569, the summit at SH 624 551), 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.
Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant: questions and answers
How far is Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant?
Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant is 3.0 km one way to the summit of Crib Goch, with 760 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.0 km.
How long does Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Crib Goch and 2h 30m 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 0m for the round trip.
How steep is Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant?
The steepest 500 m averages about 39%, starting 1.5 km from the start, and 69% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant climbs 693 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant?
Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant starts from Blaen y Nant footpath junction (postcode LL55 4UF). The grid reference is SH 620 569. Nant Peris park and ride car park; the postcode is approximate
Is Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant 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.
What time should I start Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant today?
By 14:44 at the latest. Sunset on Crib Goch today is 18:14, Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant takes about 2h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant?
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.