East Ridge via Crib Goch up Crib y Ddysgl: route map, distance and time
1,065 m · Snowdonia
Crib y Ddysgl, also called Garnedd Ugain, is the second highest summit in Wales, on the Snowdon Horseshoe north of Yr Wyddfa.
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Pen-y-Pass.
East Ridge via Crib Goch starts at about 367 m and gains 706 m over 4.1 km to 1,035 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 96 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 189 m at an average of 19%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.9 km at about 43%. It keeps climbing at 18% to the top. About 40% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
East Ridge via Crib Goch at a glance
| Distance | 4.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 730 m |
| Climb on the track | 706 m up, 37 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 366 m to 1,035 m (summit 1,065 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 43%, from 1.9 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 40% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Pen-y-Pass, LL55 4NU |
| Start grid reference | SH 646 556 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 610 551 |
| Parking | Pen y Pass car park (SH647556) |
East Ridge via Crib Goch 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 via Crib Goch 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 via Crib Goch 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 |
| 3 km | 840 m | +188 m | 19% | SH 621 551 |
| 4 km | 1,021 m | +181 m | 18% | SH 611 551 |
| 4.1 km | 1,035 m | +13 m | 18% | SH 610 551 |
How long East Ridge via Crib Goch takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 3h 30m |
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 14:24 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:22 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Crib y Ddysgl summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°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 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 41 mph gusting 51 mph, 90% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12.
Best day of the next seven for East Ridge via Crib Goch: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 33 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 0% (Low), best around 05:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Crib y Ddysgl forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Crib y Ddysgl?
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 -5°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.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- 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 y Ddysgl
Crib y Ddysgl, also called Garnedd Ugain, is the second highest summit in Wales, on the Snowdon Horseshoe north of Yr Wyddfa. More about Crib y Ddysgl, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Yr Wyddfa - Snowdon (1,085 m), 0.8 km south
- Crib Goch (923 m), 1.3 km east
- Llechog (720 m), 1.7 km north
- Y Lliwedd (898 m), 2.2 km south-east
- Y Lliwedd East Top (893 m), 2.3 km south-east
- Lliwedd Bach (819 m), 2.5 km south-east
Challenges that include Crib y Ddysgl
- Welsh 3000s · 15
- Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
- Welsh 1000m Peaks · 5
- Snowdonia 900m Peaks · 16
- Snowdon Horseshoe · 4
- Paddy Buckley Round · 47
- 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.
- Pen y Pass via Bwlch y Moch up Crib Goch
- East Ridge and crest up Crib Goch
- Fox's Path and Crib Goch North Ridge up Crib Goch
- 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
- Fox's Path and Crib Goch North Ridge up Snowdon
Other routes up Crib y Ddysgl
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas | 6.8 km one way | 950 m | 2h 55m | Moderate |
| Pyg Track via Bwlch Glas | 5.2 km one way | 720 m | 2h 15m | Hard |
| Miners' Track via Bwlch Glas | 6.7 km one way | 750 m | 2h 35m | Hard |
| Crib Goch North Ridge from Blaen y Nant | 4.4 km one way | 930 m | 2h 25m | Scramble |
| Fox's Path and Crib Goch North Ridge | 5.5 km one way | 800 m | 2h 25m | 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 610 551), 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 via Crib Goch: questions and answers
How far is East Ridge via Crib Goch?
East Ridge via Crib Goch is 4.1 km one way to the summit of Crib y Ddysgl, with 730 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.2 km.
How long does East Ridge via Crib Goch take?
About 2h 0m to the summit of Crib y Ddysgl and 2h 50m 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 30m for the round trip.
How steep is East Ridge via Crib Goch?
The steepest 500 m averages about 43%, starting 1.9 km from the start, and 40% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. East Ridge via Crib Goch climbs 706 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for East Ridge via Crib Goch?
East Ridge via Crib Goch starts from Pen-y-Pass (postcode LL55 4NU). The grid reference is SH 646 556. Pen y Pass car park (SH647556)
Is East Ridge via Crib Goch 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, or take Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas instead.
What time should I start East Ridge via Crib Goch today?
By 14:24 at the latest. Sunset on Crib y Ddysgl today is 18:14, East Ridge via Crib Goch takes about 2h 50m 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 via Crib Goch?
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.