East Ridge and crest 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 Pen-y-Pass.
East Ridge and crest starts at about 367 m and gains 493 m over 2.6 km to 857 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 96 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2.6 km, which climbs 205 m at an average of 34%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.9 km at about 43%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 44% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
East Ridge and crest at a glance
| Distance | 2.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 560 m |
| Climb on the track | 493 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 366 m to 861 m (summit 923 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 43%, from 1.9 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 44% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Pen-y-Pass, LL55 4NU |
| Start grid reference | SH 646 556 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 624 551 |
| Parking | Pen y Pass car park (SH647556) |
East Ridge and crest 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 East Ridge and crest 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.
East Ridge and crest 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 | 463 m | +96 m | 10% | SH 637 553 |
| 2 km | 652 m | +189 m | 19% | SH 629 551 |
| 2.6 km | 857 m | +205 m | 34% steep | SH 624 552 |
How long East Ridge and crest takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 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.
- Today: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14. Start by 15:14 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 15:12 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 0m 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 East Ridge and crest: 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 Pen-y-Pass
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- East Ridge via Crib Goch up Crib y Ddysgl
- Pyg Track via Bwlch Glas up Crib y Ddysgl
- Miners' Track via Bwlch Glas up Crib y Ddysgl
- Fox's Path and Crib Goch North Ridge up Crib y Ddysgl
- Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse up Glyder Fach
- Pen y Pass up Glyder Fawr
- Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw up Y Lliwedd
- Miners' Track and east ridge up Y Lliwedd
- Pyg Track up Snowdon
- Miners' Track up Snowdon
- Crib Goch up Snowdon
- Y Lliwedd traverse 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 |
| Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant | 3.0 km one way | 760 m | 1h 50m | 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 646 556, 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.
East Ridge and crest: questions and answers
How far is East Ridge and crest?
East Ridge and crest is 2.6 km one way to the summit of Crib Goch, with 560 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 5.2 km.
How long does East Ridge and crest take?
About 1h 25m to the summit of Crib Goch and 2h 0m 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 25m for the round trip.
How steep is East Ridge and crest?
The steepest 500 m averages about 43%, starting 1.9 km from the start, and 44% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. East Ridge and crest climbs 493 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for East Ridge and crest?
East Ridge and crest starts from Pen-y-Pass (postcode LL55 4NU). The grid reference is SH 646 556. Pen y Pass car park (SH647556)
Is East Ridge and crest 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 East Ridge and crest today?
By 15:14 at the latest. Sunset on Crib Goch today is 18:14, East Ridge and crest takes about 2h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for East Ridge and crest?
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.