Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top up Diffwys: route map, distance and time
750 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Public upland track above Tal-y-bont.
Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top starts at about 314 m and gains 447 m over 6.5 km to 728 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 1%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 126 m at an average of 13%. It keeps climbing at 12% to the top.
Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top at a glance
| Distance | 6.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 490 m |
| Climb on the track | 447 m up, 37 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 314 m to 728 m (summit 750 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 16%, from 3.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 3% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Public upland track above Tal-y-bont |
| Start grid reference | SH 627 229 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 661 234 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top 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 Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top 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.
Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top 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 | 339 m | +25 m | 3% | SH 626 236 |
| 2 km | 319 m | -20 m | -2% | SH 634 235 |
| 3 km | 445 m | +126 m | 13% | SH 639 230 |
| 4 km | 564 m | +119 m | 12% | SH 639 225 |
| 5 km | 637 m | +72 m | 7% | SH 648 228 |
| 6 km | 664 m | +27 m | 3% | SH 658 230 |
| 6.5 km | 728 m | +64 m | 12% | SH 661 234 |
How long Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 4h 15m |
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 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 13:47 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:10. Start by 13:45 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Diffwys summit weather for this route
-
Poor Today Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 40 mph gusting 49 mph, 98% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 24 mph gusting 30 mph, 64% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:10.
Best day of the next seven for Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top: Tuesday 20 October, with summit gusts around 30 mph and a 64% chance of rain.
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 -2°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 98% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 49 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 Diffwys
More about Diffwys, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Diffwys
Other routes up Diffwys
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cwm Mynach eastern approach | 4.2 km one way | 570 m | 1h 45m | Hard |
| Cwm Nantcol via Y Llethr and Crib-y-rhiw | 7.6 km one way | 730 m | 2h 45m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 627 229, the summit at SH 661 234), 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.
Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top: questions and answers
How far is Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top?
Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top is 6.5 km one way to the summit of Diffwys, with 490 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 13.0 km.
How long does Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top take?
About 2h 5m to the summit of Diffwys and 3h 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 4h 15m for the round trip.
How steep is Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top?
The steepest 500 m averages about 16%, starting 3.2 km from the start, and 3% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top climbs 447 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top?
Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top starts from Public upland track above Tal-y-bont. The grid reference is SH 627 229. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top 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 Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top today?
By 13:47 at the latest. Sunset on Diffwys today is 18:12, Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top takes about 3h 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 Tal-y-bont via Diffwys West Top?
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.