Eisingrug miners' track up Foel Penolau: route map, distance and time
614 m · Snowdonia
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Eisingrug upper lane public path.
The Eisingrug miners' track starts at about 265 m and gains 354 m over 6.1 km to 587 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 4%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 131 m at an average of 13%. The final 0.1 km eases to the top.
Eisingrug miners' track at a glance
| Distance | 6.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 400 m |
| Climb on the track | 354 m up, 32 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 265 m to 601 m (summit 614 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 16%, from 3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 0% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Eisingrug upper lane public path |
| Start grid reference | SH 628 341 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 661 348 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Eisingrug miners' track map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Download the Eisingrug miners' track 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.
Eisingrug miners' track 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 | 341 m | +76 m | 8% | SH 634 340 |
| 2 km | 381 m | +40 m | 4% | SH 642 346 |
| 3 km | 392 m | +11 m | 1% | SH 646 344 |
| 4 km | 523 m | +131 m | 13% | SH 653 344 |
| 5 km | 556 m | +33 m | 3% | SH 657 342 |
| 6 km | 588 m | +31 m | 3% | SH 661 347 |
| 6.1 km | 587 m | -1 m | -1% | SH 661 348 |
How long the Eisingrug miners' track takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 3h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 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.
- Today: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:07 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:10. Start by 14:05 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Foel Penolau summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Foel Penolau right now. The main Foel Penolau page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Foel Penolau forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Foel Penolau
More about Foel Penolau, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Foel Penolau
More walks from Eisingrug upper lane public path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Eisingrug miners' track up Moel Ysgyfarnogod
Other routes up Foel Penolau
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cwm Bychan northern approach | 5.4 km one way | 510 m | 1h 55m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 628 341, the summit at SH 661 348), 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.
Eisingrug miners' track: questions and answers
How far is the Eisingrug miners' track?
The Eisingrug miners' track is 6.1 km one way to the summit of Foel Penolau, with 400 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.2 km.
How long does the Eisingrug miners' track take?
About 1h 55m to the summit of Foel Penolau and 3h 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 3h 50m for the round trip.
How steep is the Eisingrug miners' track?
The steepest 500 m averages about 16%, starting 3 km from the start, and 0% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Eisingrug miners' track climbs 354 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Eisingrug miners' track?
The Eisingrug miners' track starts from Eisingrug upper lane public path. The grid reference is SH 628 341. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is the Eisingrug miners' track 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.
What time should I start the Eisingrug miners' track today?
By 14:07 at the latest. Sunset on Foel Penolau today is 18:12, The Eisingrug miners' track takes about 3h 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 the Eisingrug miners' track?
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.