Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse up Glyder Fach: route map, distance and time

A hard mountain walk to the summit from Pen-y-Pass.

The Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse starts at about 368 m and gains 663 m over 4.6 km to 959 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 141 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 269 m at an average of 27%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.8 km at about 31%. The final 0.6 km eases to the top. About 33% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.

Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse at a glance

Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse 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 Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse 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.

Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse 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.

How long the Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse takes

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 18:14. Start by 14:14 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
• Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:12 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.

Glyder Fach summit weather for this route

• Marginal Today Sunday 18 October

  Overcast, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 26 mph gusting 32 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14.

• Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October

  Moderate drizzle, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 40 mph gusting 50 mph, 90% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12.

Best day of the next seven for the Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 32 mph and a 0% chance of rain.

Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 0% (Low), best around 09:00. 7-day inversion outlook.

Hour-by-hour Glyder Fach forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Glyder Fach?

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 -5°C on top.
• A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
• A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 32 mph.
• Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
• 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 Glyder Fach

Glyder Fach is a rocky Glyderau summit above Ogwen, famous for the Cantilever Stone, Castell y Gwynt and the scramble of Bristly Ridge. More about Glyder Fach, with the live forecast.

On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall.

Extend the walk: tops near the summit

• Castell y Gwynt (972 m), 0.3 km south-west
• Tryfan (918 m), 1.3 km north-east
• Glyder Fawr (1,001 m), 1.4 km west
• Y Foel Goch (805 m), 2.1 km east
• Gallt yr Ogof (763 m), 2.9 km east
• Y Garn (947 m), 2.9 km north-west

Challenges that include Glyder Fach

• Welsh 3000s · 15
• Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
• Snowdonia 900m Peaks · 16
• Welsh Skyline · 9
• Paddy Buckley Round · 47
• Furths · 34
• Hewitts · 523
• Nuttalls · 442

More walks from Pen-y-Pass

Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.

• Pen y Pass via Bwlch y Moch up Crib Goch
• East Ridge and crest up Crib Goch
• Fox's Path and Crib Goch North Ridge up Crib Goch
• East Ridge via Crib Goch up Crib y Ddysgl
• Pyg Track via Bwlch Glas up Crib y Ddysgl
• Miners' Track via Bwlch Glas up Crib y Ddysgl
• Fox's Path and Crib Goch North Ridge up Crib y Ddysgl
• Pen y Pass up Glyder Fawr
• Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw up Y Lliwedd
• Miners' Track and east ridge up Y Lliwedd
• Pyg Track up Snowdon
• Miners' Track up Snowdon

Other routes up Glyder Fach

In an emergency

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 647 556, the summit at SH 656 582), 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.

Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse: questions and answers

How far is the Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse?

The Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse is 4.6 km one way to the summit of Glyder Fach, with 700 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.2 km.

How long does the Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse take?

About 2h 5m to the summit of Glyder Fach 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.

How steep is the Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse?

The steepest 500 m averages about 31%, starting 0.8 km from the start, and 33% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse climbs 663 m in all on the track.

Where do you park for the Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse?

The Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse starts from Pen-y-Pass (postcode LL55 4NU). The grid reference is SH 647 556. Pen y Pass car park (SH647556)

Is the Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse 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 the Pen y Gwryd via the Miners' Track.

What time should I start the Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse today?

By 14:14 at the latest. Sunset on Glyder Fach today is 18:14, The Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse 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 the Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse?

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.