Abergwyngregyn via Foel-fras up Foel Grach: route map, distance and time
975 m · Snowdonia
Foel Grach is a Carneddau summit north of Carnedd Llewelyn, with a small emergency refuge hut below its top.
A long climb onto the northern Carneddau ridge and south over Foel-fras and Garnedd Uchaf.
Abergwyngregyn via Foel-fras at a glance
| Distance | 10.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 1,089 m |
| Time up | 3h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 6h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Abergwyngregyn |
| Start grid reference | SH 656 726 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 688 659 |
Abergwyngregyn via Foel-fras 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 Abergwyngregyn via Foel-fras takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 3h 15m | 5h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 55m | 6h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 50m | 7h 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 07:48, sunset 18:13. Start by 11:08 to be down before dark, allowing 6h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 11:06 to be down before dark, allowing 6h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Foel Grach summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 23 mph gusting 29 mph, 21% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:13.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 29 mph gusting 36 mph, 73% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11.
Best day of the next seven for Abergwyngregyn via Foel-fras: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 29 mph and a 21% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 3% (Low), best around 09:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Foel Grach forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Foel Grach?
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.
- 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 Foel Grach
Foel Grach is a Carneddau summit north of Carnedd Llewelyn, with a small emergency refuge hut below its top. More about Foel Grach, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Garnedd Uchaf (925 m), 1 km north
- Carnedd Llewelyn (1,064 m), 1.6 km south
- Yr Elen (962 m), 1.7 km south-west
- Foel-fras (944 m), 2.3 km north
- Bera Bach (807 m), 2.5 km north-west
- Craig Eigiau (735 m), 2.5 km east
Challenges that include Foel Grach
- Welsh 3000s · 15
- Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
- Snowdonia 900m Peaks · 16
- Carneddau Traverse · 7
- Furths · 34
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
Other routes up Foel Grach
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cwm Eigiau via the eastern Foel Grach ridge | 10.2 km one way | 700 m | 3h 10m | Hard |
| Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach | 8.1 km one way | 710 m | 2h 50m | Hard |
| Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum and northern ridge | 9.4 km one way | 710 m | 3h 5m | Hard |
| Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge | 10.0 km one way | 880 m | 3h 30m | Hard |
| Abergwyngregyn via Drum via Drum and northern ridge | 9.6 km one way | 840 m | 3h 20m | Hard |
| Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn | 6.7 km one way | 810 m | 2h 40m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 656 726, the summit at SH 688 659), 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.
Abergwyngregyn via Foel-fras: questions and answers
How far is Abergwyngregyn via Foel-fras?
Abergwyngregyn via Foel-fras is 10.7 km one way to the summit of Foel Grach, with 1,089 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 21.4 km.
How long does Abergwyngregyn via Foel-fras take?
About 3h 55m to the summit of Foel Grach and 6h 5m 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 7h 30m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Abergwyngregyn via Foel-fras?
Abergwyngregyn via Foel-fras starts from Abergwyngregyn. The grid reference is SH 656 726.
Is Abergwyngregyn via Foel-fras 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 Abergwyngregyn via Foel-fras today?
By 11:08 at the latest. Sunset on Foel Grach today is 18:13, Abergwyngregyn via Foel-fras takes about 6h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Abergwyngregyn via Foel-fras?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).