Abergwesyn and the Irfon valley up Drygarn Fawr: route map, distance and time
645 m · Powys
Drygarn Fawr is a 645m hill in the Elenydd, the empty uplands of mid Wales, known for the two large stone cairns on its summit.
Tracks and stream valleys lead from the Irfon onto open moorland. The upper ground is wet with faint paths.
Abergwesyn and the Irfon valley at a glance
| Distance | 8.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 429 m |
| Time up | 2h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Abergwesyn |
| Start grid reference | SN 853 526 |
| Summit grid reference | SN 862 584 |
Abergwesyn and the Irfon valley map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Abergwesyn and the Irfon valley takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 3h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 4h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 55m | 5h 0m |
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 07:03, sunset 16:53. Start by 11:53 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:04, sunset 16:51. Start by 11:51 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Drygarn Fawr summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Drygarn Fawr right now. The main Drygarn Fawr page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Drygarn Fawr forecast.
About Drygarn Fawr
Drygarn Fawr is a 645m hill in the Elenydd, the empty uplands of mid Wales, known for the two large stone cairns on its summit. More about Drygarn Fawr, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Challenges that include Drygarn Fawr
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SN 853 526, the summit at SN 862 584), 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.
Abergwesyn and the Irfon valley: questions and answers
How far is Abergwesyn and the Irfon valley?
Abergwesyn and the Irfon valley is 8.3 km one way to the summit of Drygarn Fawr, with 429 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 16.6 km.
How long does Abergwesyn and the Irfon valley take?
About 2h 25m to the summit of Drygarn Fawr and 4h 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 5h 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Abergwesyn and the Irfon valley?
Abergwesyn and the Irfon valley starts from Abergwesyn. The grid reference is SN 853 526.
Is Abergwesyn and the Irfon valley 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 Abergwesyn and the Irfon valley today?
By 11:53 at the latest. Sunset on Drygarn Fawr today is 16:53, Abergwesyn and the Irfon valley takes about 4h 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 Abergwesyn and the Irfon valley?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).