Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas 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.
The long, steady Llanberis Path to Bwlch Glas, then a short climb north to the summit.
Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas starts at about 126 m and gains 917 m over 6.8 km to 1,035 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 133 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6 km, which climbs 210 m at an average of 21%, with a 500 m stretch from 5.1 km at about 28%. The final 0.8 km eases to the top. About 15% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas at a glance
| Distance | 6.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 950 m |
| Climb on the track | 917 m up, 10 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 127 m to 1,035 m (summit 1,065 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 28%, from 5.1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 15% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Llanberis Path start at Victoria Terrace, LL55 4TD |
| Start grid reference | SH 580 594 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 610 551 |
| Parking | Snowdon car park opposite Snowdon Mountain Railway; the postcode is approximate |
Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas 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
- Y Gwynedd0.6 km
- Sports Bar0.7 km
- The Heights0.8 km
- Penceunant Isaf0.2 km
- Platform Grill0.4 km
- Llygad Yr Haul0.6 km
- Public toilets0.4 km
- Public toilets0.6 km
- Public toilets0.9 km
- Llwyn Celyn bach0.8 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas 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.
Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas 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 | 259 m | +133 m | 13% | SH 582 588 |
| 2 km | 372 m | +113 m | 11% | SH 589 581 |
| 3 km | 470 m | +98 m | 10% | SH 596 574 |
| 4 km | 584 m | +113 m | 11% | SH 602 566 |
| 5 km | 762 m | +178 m | 18% | SH 608 560 |
| 6 km | 972 m | +210 m | 21% steep | SH 607 551 |
| 6.8 km | 1,035 m | +62 m | 8% | SH 610 551 |
How long Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 55m | 4h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 35m | 5h 20m |
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 12:54 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 12:52 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 20m 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 Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas: 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 Llanberis Path start at Victoria Terrace
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Llanberis Path up Snowdon
- Llanberis via Moel Eilio up Foel Gron
- Llanberis via Bwlch Maesgwm up Moel Cynghorion
Other routes up Crib y Ddysgl
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| East Ridge via Crib Goch | 4.1 km one way | 730 m | 2h 0m | Scramble |
| 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 580 594, 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.
Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas: questions and answers
How far is Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas?
Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas is 6.8 km one way to the summit of Crib y Ddysgl, with 950 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 13.6 km.
How long does Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas take?
About 2h 55m to the summit of Crib y Ddysgl and 4h 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 5h 20m for the round trip.
How steep is Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas?
The steepest 500 m averages about 28%, starting 5.1 km from the start, and 15% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas climbs 917 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas?
Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas starts from Llanberis Path start at Victoria Terrace (postcode LL55 4TD). The grid reference is SH 580 594. Snowdon car park opposite Snowdon Mountain Railway; the postcode is approximate
Is Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas today?
By 12:54 at the latest. Sunset on Crib y Ddysgl today is 18:14, Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas takes about 4h 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 Llanberis Path via Bwlch Glas?
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.