South Stack up Holyhead Mountain: route map, distance and time
220 m · Anglesey and the Lleyn Peninsula · OS grid SH218829
Holyhead Mountain is the highest point on Anglesey, a rocky hill above the sea cliffs of South Stack with an Iron Age hillfort on its summit.
Paths across heathland climb to the rocky summit inside the old hillfort.
South Stack at a glance
| Distance | 2.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 224 m |
| Time up | 0h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Easy |
| Start | South Stack car park |
| Start grid reference | SH 202 822 |
| Summit grid reference | SH218829 |
South Stack 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
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long South Stack takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 40m | 1h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 0h 50m | 1h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 35m |
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 07:51, sunset 18:16. Start by 16:01 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:52, sunset 18:14. Start by 15:59 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Holyhead Mountain summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Holyhead Mountain right now. The main Holyhead Mountain page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Holyhead Mountain forecast.
About Holyhead Mountain
Holyhead Mountain is the highest point on Anglesey, a rocky hill above the sea cliffs of South Stack with an Iron Age hillfort on its summit. More about Holyhead Mountain, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Marilyn, historic county top, county top.
Challenges that include Holyhead Mountain
Other routes up Holyhead Mountain
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakwater Country Park | 1.4 km one way | 188 m | 0h 35m | Easy |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 202 822, the summit at SH218829), 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.
South Stack: questions and answers
How far is South Stack?
South Stack is 2.2 km one way to the summit of Holyhead Mountain, with 224 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 4.4 km.
How long does South Stack take?
About 0h 50m to the summit of Holyhead Mountain and 1h 15m 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 1h 35m for the round trip.
Where do you park for South Stack?
South Stack starts from South Stack car park. The grid reference is SH 202 822.
Is South Stack suitable for beginners?
Yes. Peakify grades it Easy: a fit beginner can walk it on a clear day. Take a map, warm layers and waterproofs all the same.
What time should I start South Stack today?
By 16:01 at the latest. Sunset on Holyhead Mountain today is 18:16, South Stack takes about 1h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for South Stack?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).