Talybont via the southern ridge up Diffwys West Top: route map, distance and time
643 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Mapped mountain-path entrance above Talybont.
The Talybont via the southern ridge starts at about 176 m and gains 465 m over 7.0 km to 637 m on the track. The first 5 km are the easy part, averaging 5%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6 km, which climbs 125 m at an average of 13%, with a 500 m stretch from 5.3 km at about 17%. The final kilometre eases to the top.
Talybont via the southern ridge at a glance
| Distance | 7.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 480 m |
| Climb on the track | 465 m up, 5 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 168 m to 638 m (summit 643 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 17%, from 5.3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 0% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Mapped mountain-path entrance above Talybont |
| Start grid reference | SH 602 230 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 648 229 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Talybont via the southern 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
Near the start
- Ysgethin Inn1.7 km
- Caffi Hen Crydd1.5 km
- Public toilets1.8 km
- Parc Isaf Camping and Caravan Park0.9 km
- Murmur yr Afon Campsite1.5 km
- Llwyn Griffri Farm1.7 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Talybont via the southern 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.
Talybont via the southern 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 | 187 m | +11 m | 1% | SH 609 225 |
| 2 km | 280 m | +93 m | 9% | SH 618 222 |
| 3 km | 309 m | +29 m | 3% | SH 627 222 |
| 4 km | 330 m | +21 m | 2% | SH 634 230 |
| 5 km | 439 m | +109 m | 11% | SH 639 231 |
| 6 km | 564 m | +125 m | 13% | SH 639 225 |
| 7 km | 637 m | +73 m | 7% | SH 648 228 |
How long the Talybont via the southern ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 3h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 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 07:05, sunset 16:53. Start by 12:18 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:07, sunset 16:51. Start by 12:16 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Diffwys West Top summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Diffwys West Top right now. The main Diffwys West Top page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Diffwys West Top forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Diffwys West Top
More about Diffwys West Top, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Diffwys West Top
More walks from Mapped mountain-path entrance above Talybont
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Talybont via the southern ridge up Crib-y-rhiw
Other routes up Diffwys West Top
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cwm Mynach via Diffwys | 14.6 km one way | — | — | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 602 230, the summit at SH 648 229), 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.
Talybont via the southern ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Talybont via the southern ridge?
The Talybont via the southern ridge is 7.0 km one way to the summit of Diffwys West Top, with 480 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 14.0 km.
How long does the Talybont via the southern ridge take?
About 2h 10m to the summit of Diffwys West Top and 3h 35m 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 4h 30m for the round trip.
How steep is the Talybont via the southern ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 17%, starting 5.3 km from the start, and 0% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Talybont via the southern ridge climbs 465 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Talybont via the southern ridge?
The Talybont via the southern ridge starts from Mapped mountain-path entrance above Talybont. The grid reference is SH 602 230. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is the Talybont via the southern 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 Talybont via the southern ridge today?
By 12:18 at the latest. Sunset on Diffwys West Top today is 16:53, The Talybont via the southern ridge takes about 3h 35m 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 Talybont via the southern 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.