Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge up Cribin Fawr: route map, distance and time
659 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Bwlch Oerddrws southbound public path.
The Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge starts at about 364 m and gains 283 m over 2.2 km to 650 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 228 m (23%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 228 m at an average of 23%. The final 0.2 km eases to the top. About 27% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge at a glance
| Distance | 2.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 300 m |
| Climb on the track | 283 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 364 m to 650 m (summit 659 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 26%, from 0.1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 27% of the way |
| Time up | 0h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Bwlch Oerddrws southbound public path |
| Start grid reference | SH 801 170 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 794 152 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi 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
Download the Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi 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.
Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi 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 | 592 m | +228 m | 23% steep | SH 800 163 |
| 2 km | 645 m | +53 m | 5% | SH 796 154 |
| 2.2 km | 650 m | +5 m | 2% | SH 794 152 |
How long the Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 45m | 1h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 0h 55m | 1h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 40m |
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 07:04, sunset 16:53. Start by 14:28 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:06, sunset 16:51. Start by 14:26 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Cribin Fawr summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Cribin Fawr right now. The main Cribin Fawr page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Cribin Fawr forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Cribin Fawr
More about Cribin Fawr, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Cribin Fawr
More walks from Bwlch Oerddrws southbound public path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge up Waun-oer
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 801 170, the summit at SH 794 152), 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.
Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge?
The Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge is 2.2 km one way to the summit of Cribin Fawr, with 300 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 4.4 km.
How long does the Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge take?
About 0h 55m to the summit of Cribin Fawr and 1h 25m 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 1h 40m for the round trip.
How steep is the Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 26%, starting 0.1 km from the start, and 27% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge climbs 283 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge?
The Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge starts from Bwlch Oerddrws southbound public path. The grid reference is SH 801 170. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is the Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi 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 Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge today?
By 14:28 at the latest. Sunset on Cribin Fawr today is 16:53, The Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi ridge takes about 1h 25m 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 Bwlch Oerddrws and Dyfi 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.