Drum from Llanfairfechan up Drum: route map, distance and time
771 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Llanfairfechan mapped track junction.
Drum from Llanfairfechan starts at about 218 m and gains 539 m over 5.1 km to 756 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 122 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 5 km, which climbs 142 m at an average of 14%. The final 0.1 km eases to the top.
Drum from Llanfairfechan at a glance
| Distance | 5.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 560 m |
| Climb on the track | 539 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 218 m to 756 m (summit 771 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 16%, from 4.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 2% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Llanfairfechan mapped track junction |
| Start grid reference | SH 689 737 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 708 695 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Drum from Llanfairfechan 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
- Llanfair Arms1.1 km
- Afternoon 2 A Tea1.2 km
- Riverside Cafe1.4 km
- Seagrass2.0 km
- Public toilets1.2 km
- Public toilets1.6 km
- Platt's Farm1.5 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Drum from Llanfairfechan 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.
Drum from Llanfairfechan 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 | 340 m | +122 m | 12% | SH 689 728 |
| 2 km | 414 m | +74 m | 7% | SH 695 721 |
| 3 km | 524 m | +110 m | 11% | SH 698 712 |
| 4 km | 607 m | +83 m | 8% | SH 704 705 |
| 5 km | 749 m | +142 m | 14% | SH 708 696 |
| 5.1 km | 756 m | +7 m | 6% | SH 708 695 |
How long Drum from Llanfairfechan takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 3h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 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 07:47, sunset 18:13. Start by 14:13 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 14:11 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Drum summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 18 mph gusting 22 mph, 25% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:13.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 25 mph gusting 31 mph, 47% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11.
Best day of the next seven for Drum from Llanfairfechan: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 22 mph and a 25% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 35% (Marginal), best around 05:00.
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.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- 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 Drum
More about Drum, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Drum
More walks from Llanfairfechan mapped track junction
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge up Foel Grach
- Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge up Foel-fras
- Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge up Garnedd Uchaf
- Llanfairfechan via Drum and Foel-fras up Llwytmor
Other routes up Drum
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drum from Abergwyngregyn | 4.8 km one way | 510 m | 1h 50m | Hard |
| Drum from Bwlch y Ddeufaen | 4.6 km one way | 390 m | 1h 35m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 689 737, the summit at SH 708 695), 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.
Drum from Llanfairfechan: questions and answers
How far is Drum from Llanfairfechan?
Drum from Llanfairfechan is 5.1 km one way to the summit of Drum, with 560 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.2 km.
How long does Drum from Llanfairfechan take?
About 1h 55m to the summit of Drum and 3h 0m 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 40m for the round trip.
How steep is Drum from Llanfairfechan?
The steepest 500 m averages about 16%, starting 4.2 km from the start, and 2% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Drum from Llanfairfechan climbs 539 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Drum from Llanfairfechan?
Drum from Llanfairfechan starts from Llanfairfechan mapped track junction. The grid reference is SH 689 737. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Drum from Llanfairfechan 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 Drum from Llanfairfechan today?
By 14:13 at the latest. Sunset on Drum today is 18:13, Drum from Llanfairfechan takes about 3h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Drum from Llanfairfechan?
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.