Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach 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 Rachub upland path junction.
Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach starts at about 334 m and gains 648 m over 8.6 km to 934 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 6%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 178 m at an average of 18%. The final 0.6 km eases to the top.
Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach at a glance
| Distance | 8.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 670 m |
| Climb on the track | 648 m up, 44 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 334 m to 938 m (summit 944 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 19%, from 3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 4% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Rachub upland path junction |
| Start grid reference | SH 638 677 |
| Summit grid reference | SH696681 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach 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
- Y Sior1.4 km
- Cwrw Tŷ Mo1.8 km
- Douglas Arms1.8 km
- Caffi Seren1.8 km
- Coed y Brenin1.8 km
- Public toilets1.8 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach 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.
Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach 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 | 376 m | +42 m | 4% | SH 639 682 |
| 2 km | 487 m | +110 m | 11% | SH 647 686 |
| 3 km | 511 m | +24 m | 2% | SH 655 684 |
| 4 km | 689 m | +178 m | 18% | SH 661 677 |
| 5 km | 771 m | +82 m | 8% | SH 671 677 |
| 6 km | 854 m | +83 m | 8% | SH 679 673 |
| 7 km | 917 m | +63 m | 6% | SH 687 669 |
| 8 km | 915 m | -2 m | 0% | SH 694 676 |
| 8.6 km | 934 m | +19 m | 3% | SH 696 681 |
How long Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 50m | 4h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 30m | 5h 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 12:38 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 12:36 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 35m 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 Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach: 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 Rachub upland path junction
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach up Foel Grach
- Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach up Garnedd Uchaf
- Rachub northern upland paths up Gyrn Wigau
- Rachub northern upland paths up Bera Bach
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 |
| 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 638 677, 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.
Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach: questions and answers
How far is Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach?
Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach is 8.6 km one way to the summit of Foel-fras, with 670 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 17.2 km.
How long does Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach take?
About 2h 50m to the summit of Foel-fras and 4h 35m 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 5h 40m for the round trip.
How steep is Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach?
The steepest 500 m averages about 19%, starting 3 km from the start, and 4% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach climbs 648 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach?
Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach starts from Rachub upland path junction. The grid reference is SH 638 677. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach 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 Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach today?
By 12:38 at the latest. Sunset on Foel-fras today is 18:13, Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach takes about 4h 35m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach?
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.