Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum 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 track and path along the ridge over Drum to Foel-fras.
Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum at a glance
| Distance | 5.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 565 m |
| Time up | 2h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Bwlch y Ddeufaen road end |
| Start grid reference | SH 714 718 |
| Summit grid reference | SH696681 |
Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum 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
How long Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 3h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 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 14:13 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 14:11 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m 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 Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum: 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 Bwlch y Ddeufaen road end
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Bwlch y Ddeufaen up Tal y Fan
Other routes up Foel-fras
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon | 6.3 km one way | 740 m | 2h 30m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 714 718, 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.
Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum: questions and answers
How far is Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum?
Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum is 5.1 km one way to the summit of Foel-fras, with 565 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.2 km.
How long does Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum take?
About 2h 0m to the summit of Foel-fras and 3h 0m 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 40m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum?
Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum starts from Bwlch y Ddeufaen road end. The grid reference is SH 714 718.
Is Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum today?
By 14:13 at the latest. Sunset on Foel-fras today is 18:13, Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum takes about 3h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).