Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd up Foel Meirch: route map, distance and time
799 m · Snowdonia
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Ogwen Cottage north-side path.
Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd starts at about 314 m and gains 772 m over 4.5 km to 753 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 408 m (41%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 408 m at an average of 41%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.6 km at about 54%. The final 0.5 km eases to the top. About 31% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd at a glance
| Distance | 4.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 772 m up, 333 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 296 m to 1,026 m (summit 799 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 54%, from 0.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 31% of the way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Ogwen Cottage north-side path, LL57 3LZ |
| Start grid reference | SH 650 604 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 658 637 |
| Parking | Llyn Ogwen / Ogwen Centre car park; the postcode is approximate |
Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd 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 Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd 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.
Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd 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 | 722 m | +408 m | 41% steep | SH 652 612 |
| 2 km | 941 m | +219 m | 22% steep | SH 655 619 |
| 3 km | 966 m | +25 m | 2% | SH 659 627 |
| 4 km | 857 m | -109 m | -11% | SH 659 632 |
| 4.5 km | 753 m | -104 m | -20% | SH 658 637 |
How long Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 3h 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.
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 Ogwen Cottage north-side path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge up Carnedd Dafydd
- South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Ogwen via Y Garn and Mynydd Perfedd up Elidir Fawr
- Devil's Kitchen / Twll Du and plateau traverse up Glyder Fach
- Senior's Gully and Ridge and plateau traverse up Glyder Fach
- Y Gribin and plateau traverse up Glyder Fach
- Bristly Ridge up Glyder Fach
- Devil's Kitchen / Twll Du up Glyder Fawr
- Senior's Gully and Ridge up Glyder Fawr
- Y Gribin up Glyder Fawr
- Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse up Glyder Fawr
- South-west ridge from Ogwen up Pen yr Ole Wen
Other routes up Foel Meirch
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau | 10.7 km one way | — | — | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 650 604, 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.
Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd: questions and answers
How far is Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd?
Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd is 4.5 km one way to the summit of Foel Meirch. There and back by the same way is about 9.0 km.
How steep is Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd?
The steepest 500 m averages about 54%, starting 0.6 km from the start, and 31% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd climbs 772 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd?
Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd starts from Ogwen Cottage north-side path (postcode LL57 3LZ). The grid reference is SH 650 604. Llyn Ogwen / Ogwen Centre car park; the postcode is approximate
Is Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd suitable for beginners?
No. It is a scramble: you use your hands on rock, often with big drops below. Go with someone experienced, on a dry and calm day.
Is there a GPX for Ogwen via Carnedd Dafydd?
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.