Marchlyn via Elidir Fach up Elidir Fawr: route map, distance and time
924 m · Snowdonia
Elidir Fawr is the western end of the Glyderau in Snowdonia, a large mountain above the Dinorwig quarries and the reservoir of Marchlyn Mawr.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Marchlyn public road end (SH596631).
Marchlyn via Elidir Fach starts at about 362 m and gains 525 m over 3.5 km to 888 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 101 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 251 m at an average of 25%, with a 500 m stretch from 1.4 km at about 33%. It keeps climbing at 18% to the top. About 26% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Marchlyn via Elidir Fach at a glance
| Distance | 3.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 560 m |
| Climb on the track | 525 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 362 m to 890 m (summit 924 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 33%, from 1.4 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 26% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Marchlyn public road end (SH596631) |
| Start grid reference | SH 596 630 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 611 612 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Marchlyn via Elidir Fach 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Marchlyn via Elidir Fach 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.
Marchlyn via Elidir Fach 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 | 463 m | +101 m | 10% | SH 605 627 |
| 2 km | 714 m | +251 m | 25% steep | SH 605 619 |
| 3 km | 793 m | +79 m | 8% | SH 607 613 |
| 3.5 km | 888 m | +95 m | 18% | SH 611 613 |
How long Marchlyn via Elidir Fach takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 1h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 50m |
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 07:48, sunset 18:14. Start by 14:54 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:52 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Elidir Fawr summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 24 mph gusting 30 mph, 21% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 39 mph gusting 49 mph, 73% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12.
Best day of the next seven for Marchlyn via Elidir Fach: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 30 mph and a 21% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 3% (Low), best around 05:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Elidir Fawr forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Elidir Fawr?
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 -4°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 30 mph.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- 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 Elidir Fawr
Elidir Fawr is the western end of the Glyderau in Snowdonia, a large mountain above the Dinorwig quarries and the reservoir of Marchlyn Mawr. More about Elidir Fawr, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Mynydd Perfedd (813 m), 1.3 km north-east
- Carnedd y Filiast (821 m), 1.7 km north-east
- Foel-goch (831 m), 1.7 km east
- Carnedd y Filiast North Top (720 m), 2 km north
- Y Garn (947 m), 2.6 km south-east
Challenges that include Elidir Fawr
- Welsh 3000s · 15
- Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
- Snowdonia 900m Peaks · 16
- Welsh Skyline · 9
- Paddy Buckley Round · 47
- Furths · 34
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Marilyns · 1,555
More walks from Marchlyn public road end
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Marchlyn via Elidir Fawr and Mynydd Perfedd up Y Garn
- Marchlyn mountain-road approach up Carnedd y Filiast
- Marchlyn mountain-road approach up Mynydd Perfedd
- Marchlyn mountain-road approach up Foel-goch
Other routes up Elidir Fawr
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nant Peris via the Afon Dudodyn | 3.4 km one way | 810 m | 2h 0m | Moderate |
| Marchlyn via Mynydd Perfedd | 5.9 km one way | 670 m | 2h 20m | Hard |
| Ogwen via Y Garn and Mynydd Perfedd | 6.6 km one way | 920 m | 2h 50m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 596 630, the summit at SH 611 612), 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.
Marchlyn via Elidir Fach: questions and answers
How far is Marchlyn via Elidir Fach?
Marchlyn via Elidir Fach is 3.5 km one way to the summit of Elidir Fawr, with 560 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.0 km.
How long does Marchlyn via Elidir Fach take?
About 1h 40m to the summit of Elidir Fawr and 2h 20m 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 2h 50m for the round trip.
How steep is Marchlyn via Elidir Fach?
The steepest 500 m averages about 33%, starting 1.4 km from the start, and 26% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Marchlyn via Elidir Fach climbs 525 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Marchlyn via Elidir Fach?
Marchlyn via Elidir Fach starts from Marchlyn public road end (SH596631). The grid reference is SH 596 630. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Marchlyn via Elidir Fach 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, such as Nant Peris via the Afon Dudodyn.
What time should I start Marchlyn via Elidir Fach today?
By 14:54 at the latest. Sunset on Elidir Fawr today is 18:14, Marchlyn via Elidir Fach takes about 2h 20m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Marchlyn via Elidir Fach?
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.