Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon up Foel-fras: route map, distance and time
944 m · Snowdonia · OS grid SH696681
Foel-fras is the northern end of the Welsh 3000s, a grassy summit on the northern Carneddau ridge with a wall running across its top.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Abergwyngregyn mountain-road track junction.
Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon starts at about 259 m and gains 734 m over 6.3 km to 934 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 136 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6 km, which climbs 216 m at an average of 22%. It keeps climbing at 12% to the top. About 24% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon at a glance
| Distance | 6.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 740 m |
| Climb on the track | 734 m up, 60 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 254 m to 934 m (summit 944 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 25%, from 0.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 24% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Abergwyngregyn mountain-road track junction, LL33 0LP |
| Start grid reference | SH 680 720 |
| Summit grid reference | SH696681 |
| Parking | Aber Falls upper car park; the postcode is approximate |
Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon 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 Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon 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.
Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon 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 | 395 m | +136 m | 14% | SH 682 716 |
| 2 km | 377 m | -18 m | -2% | SH 691 712 |
| 3 km | 418 m | +41 m | 4% | SH 698 705 |
| 4 km | 498 m | +80 m | 8% | SH 699 698 |
| 5 km | 680 m | +182 m | 18% | SH 704 689 |
| 6 km | 896 m | +216 m | 22% steep | SH 699 683 |
| 6.3 km | 934 m | +38 m | 12% | SH 696 681 |
How long Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 3h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 3h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 5m | 4h 40m |
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 13:28 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 13:26 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Foel-fras 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 24 mph gusting 30 mph, 21% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:13.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 31 mph gusting 39 mph, 73% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11.
Best day of the next seven for Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 30 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-fras forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Foel-fras?
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-fras
Foel-fras is the northern end of the Welsh 3000s, a grassy summit on the northern Carneddau ridge with a wall running across its top. More about Foel-fras, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Llwytmor (849 m), 1.3 km north-west
- Garnedd Uchaf (925 m), 1.5 km south-west
- Drum (771 m), 1.9 km north-east
- Bera Mawr (794 m), 2.1 km west
- Foel Grach (975 m), 2.3 km south
- Bera Bach (807 m), 2.4 km west
Challenges that include Foel-fras
- Welsh 3000s · 15
- Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
- Snowdonia 900m Peaks · 16
- Carneddau Traverse · 7
- Furths · 34
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
More walks from Abergwyngregyn mountain-road track junction
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Abergwyngregyn via Drum via Drum and northern ridge up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Abergwyngregyn via Drum via Drum and northern ridge up Foel Grach
- Abergwyngregyn via Drum via Drum and northern ridge up Garnedd Uchaf
- Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon up Garnedd Uchaf
- Drum from Abergwyngregyn up Drum
- Abergwyngregyn via Drum and Foel-fras up Llwytmor
- Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon up Llwytmor
Other routes up Foel-fras
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum | 5.1 km one way | 565 m | 2h 0m | Moderate |
| Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach | 8.6 km one way | 670 m | 2h 50m | Hard |
| Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum and northern ridge | 6.6 km one way | 600 m | 2h 20m | Hard |
| Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge | 7.2 km one way | 770 m | 2h 45m | Hard |
| Abergwyngregyn via Drum via Drum and northern ridge | 6.8 km one way | 720 m | 2h 35m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 680 720, the summit at SH696681), 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 Llyn Anafon: questions and answers
How far is Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon?
Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon is 6.3 km one way to the summit of Foel-fras, with 740 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.6 km.
How long does Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon take?
About 2h 30m to the summit of Foel-fras and 3h 45m 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 4h 40m for the round trip.
How steep is Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon?
The steepest 500 m averages about 25%, starting 0.6 km from the start, and 24% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon climbs 734 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon?
Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon starts from Abergwyngregyn mountain-road track junction (postcode LL33 0LP). The grid reference is SH 680 720. Aber Falls upper car park; the postcode is approximate
Is Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon 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 Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum.
What time should I start Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon today?
By 13:28 at the latest. Sunset on Foel-fras today is 18:13, Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon takes about 3h 45m 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 Llyn Anafon?
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.