Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau up Foel Meirch: route map, distance and time
799 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Gerlan public footpath, over other tops on the way.
Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau starts at about 282 m and gains 1,002 m over 10.7 km to 753 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 6%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 5 km, which climbs 234 m at an average of 23%, with a 500 m stretch from 4.7 km at about 28%. The final 0.7 km eases to the top. About 17% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau at a glance
| Distance | 10.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 1,002 m up, 531 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 214 m to 1,054 m (summit 799 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 28%, from 4.7 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 17% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Gerlan public footpath |
| Start grid reference | SH 638 663 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 658 637 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau 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
- Douglas Arms1.4 km
- Cwrw Tŷ Mo1.6 km
- Y Sior1.6 km
- Caffi Seren1.6 km
- Coed y Brenin1.7 km
- Public toilets1.7 km
- Ogwen Bank Holiday Park & Country Club1.4 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau 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.
Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau 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 | 230 m | -52 m | -5% | SH 636 660 |
| 2 km | 345 m | +115 m | 11% | SH 645 658 |
| 3 km | 458 m | +114 m | 11% | SH 654 657 |
| 4 km | 638 m | +179 m | 18% | SH 664 654 |
| 5 km | 872 m | +234 m | 23% steep | SH 672 651 |
| 6 km | 943 m | +71 m | 7% | SH 677 646 |
| 7 km | 984 m | +41 m | 4% | SH 683 640 |
| 8 km | 914 m | -70 m | -7% | SH 678 632 |
| 9 km | 956 m | +42 m | 4% | SH 669 630 |
| 10 km | 921 m | -35 m | -3% | SH 660 632 |
| 10.7 km | 753 m | -167 m | -24% | SH 658 637 |
How long Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 3h 5m | 4h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 50m | 5h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 40m | 7h 20m |
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.
Foel Meirch summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Foel Meirch right now. The main Foel Meirch page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Foel Meirch forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Foel Meirch
More about Foel Meirch, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Foel Meirch
More walks from Gerlan public footpath
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur up Carnedd Dafydd
- Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur and Carnedd Dafydd up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge up Yr Elen
Other routes up Foel Meirch
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd | 4.5 km one way | — | — | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 638 663, the summit at SH 658 637), 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.
Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau: questions and answers
How far is Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau?
Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau is 10.7 km one way to the summit of Foel Meirch. There and back by the same way is about 21.4 km.
How steep is Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau?
The steepest 500 m averages about 28%, starting 4.7 km from the start, and 17% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau climbs 1,002 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau?
Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau starts from Gerlan public footpath. The grid reference is SH 638 663. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau 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.
Is there a GPX for Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau?
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.