Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge up Garnedd Uchaf: route map, distance and time
925 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Llanfairfechan mapped track junction.
The Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge starts at about 218 m and gains 772 m over 8.8 km to 916 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 122 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 7 km, which climbs 189 m at an average of 19%. The final 0.8 km eases to the top.
Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge at a glance
| Distance | 8.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 790 m |
| Climb on the track | 772 m up, 78 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 218 m to 938 m (summit 925 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 22%, from 6.1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 6% of the way |
| Time up | 3h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Llanfairfechan mapped track junction |
| Start grid reference | SH 689 737 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 686 669 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge 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
- Llanfair Arms1.1 km
- Afternoon 2 A Tea1.2 km
- Riverside Cafe1.4 km
- Seagrass2.0 km
- Public toilets1.2 km
- Public toilets1.6 km
- Platt's Farm1.5 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge 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.
Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge 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 | 340 m | +122 m | 12% | SH 689 728 |
| 2 km | 414 m | +74 m | 7% | SH 695 721 |
| 3 km | 524 m | +110 m | 11% | SH 698 712 |
| 4 km | 607 m | +83 m | 8% | SH 704 705 |
| 5 km | 749 m | +142 m | 14% | SH 708 696 |
| 6 km | 730 m | -19 m | -2% | SH 705 687 |
| 7 km | 919 m | +189 m | 19% | SH 697 682 |
| 8 km | 898 m | -21 m | -2% | SH 692 674 |
| 8.8 km | 916 m | +18 m | 2% | SH 687 669 |
How long the Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 4h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 5m | 4h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 45m | 6h 0m |
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 18:11. Start by 12:21 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:09. Start by 12:19 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Garnedd Uchaf summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 28 mph gusting 34 mph, 73% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Light drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 15 mph gusting 19 mph, 78% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:09.
Best day of the next seven for the Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge: Tuesday 20 October, with summit gusts around 19 mph and a 78% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 44% (Marginal), best around 08:00.
Hour-by-hour Garnedd Uchaf forecast
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 -2°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 73% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 34 mph.
- 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 Garnedd Uchaf
More about Garnedd Uchaf, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Garnedd Uchaf
- Welsh 3000s · 15
- Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
- Snowdonia 900m Peaks · 16
- Carneddau Traverse · 7
- Furths · 34
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
More walks from Llanfairfechan mapped track junction
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge up Foel Grach
- Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge up Foel-fras
- Drum from Llanfairfechan up Drum
- Llanfairfechan via Drum and Foel-fras up Llwytmor
Other routes up Garnedd Uchaf
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cwm Eigiau via the eastern Foel Grach ridge | 8.1 km one way | 680 m | 2h 45m | Hard |
| Rachub via Drosgl and Yr Aryg flanks, via Bera Bach | 6.9 km one way | 620 m | 2h 25m | Hard |
| Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum and northern ridge | 8.3 km one way | 630 m | 2h 45m | Hard |
| Abergwyngregyn via Drum via Drum and northern ridge | 8.5 km one way | 750 m | 2h 55m | Hard |
| Abergwyngregyn via Llyn Anafon | 8.0 km one way | 770 m | 2h 55m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 689 737, the summit at SH 686 669), 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.
Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge?
The Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge is 8.8 km one way to the summit of Garnedd Uchaf, with 790 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 17.6 km.
How long does the Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge take?
About 3h 5m to the summit of Garnedd Uchaf and 4h 50m 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 6h 0m for the round trip.
How steep is the Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 22%, starting 6.1 km from the start, and 6% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge climbs 772 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge?
The Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge starts from Llanfairfechan mapped track junction. The grid reference is SH 689 737. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is the Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge 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.
What time should I start the Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge today?
By 12:21 at the latest. Sunset on Garnedd Uchaf today is 18:11, The Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge takes about 4h 50m 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 Llanfairfechan via Drum and northern ridge?
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.