Llanberis and the horseshoe up Moel Eilio (Snowdonia): route map, distance and time
726 m · Snowdonia
Moel Eilio is a 726m grassy hill west of Llanberis and the high point of the Moel Eilio horseshoe, with wide views to Yr Wyddfa and Anglesey.
Lanes and a track lead onto the hill, then a grassy climb reaches the summit. Continue along the ridge to make the horseshoe.
The Llanberis and the horseshoe starts at about 160 m and gains 551 m over 4.6 km to 715 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 9%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4.6 km, which climbs 126 m at an average of 21%. That last pull ends at the summit.
Llanberis and the horseshoe at a glance
| Distance | 4.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 570 m |
| Climb on the track | 551 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 160 m to 715 m (summit 726 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 24%, from 3.9 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 9% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Llanberis public lane, LL55 4TD |
| Start grid reference | SH 573 597 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 555 577 |
| Parking | Snowdon car park opposite Snowdon Mountain Railway; the postcode is approximate |
Llanberis and the horseshoe 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
- Sports Bar0.6 km
- The Heights0.7 km
- Y Gwynedd0.7 km
- Pantri0.6 km
- Ceirios0.7 km
- Llygad Yr Haul0.7 km
- Public toilets0.7 km
- Public toilets0.7 km
- Public toilets0.9 km
- Llwyn Celyn bach0.2 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Llanberis and the horseshoe 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.
Llanberis and the horseshoe 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 | 253 m | +93 m | 9% | SH 568 595 |
| 2 km | 366 m | +112 m | 11% | SH 560 598 |
| 3 km | 442 m | +76 m | 8% | SH 556 592 |
| 4 km | 589 m | +147 m | 15% | SH 556 583 |
| 4.6 km | 715 m | +126 m | 21% steep | SH 555 577 |
How long the Llanberis and the horseshoe takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 25m |
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 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:27 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:52, sunset 18:10. Start by 14:25 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Moel Eilio summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 31 mph gusting 38 mph, 25% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Overcast, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 27 mph gusting 34 mph, 54% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:52, sunset 18:10.
Best day of the next seven for the Llanberis and the horseshoe: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 38 mph and a 25% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Moel Eilio 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 -1°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 38 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 Moel Eilio
Moel Eilio is a 726m grassy hill west of Llanberis and the high point of the Moel Eilio horseshoe, with wide views to Yr Wyddfa and Anglesey. More about Moel Eilio, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Foel Gron (629 m), 1 km south-east
Challenges that include Moel Eilio
Other routes up Moel Eilio
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes | 6.2 km one way | 600 m | 2h 15m | Hard |
| Snowdon Ranger via Foel Goch and Foel Gron | 5.2 km one way | 670 m | 2h 10m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 573 597, the summit at SH 555 577), 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.
Llanberis and the horseshoe: questions and answers
How far is the Llanberis and the horseshoe?
The Llanberis and the horseshoe is 4.6 km one way to the summit of Moel Eilio, with 570 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.2 km.
How long does the Llanberis and the horseshoe take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Moel Eilio and 2h 45m 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 25m for the round trip.
How steep is the Llanberis and the horseshoe?
The steepest 500 m averages about 24%, starting 3.9 km from the start, and 9% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Llanberis and the horseshoe climbs 551 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Llanberis and the horseshoe?
The Llanberis and the horseshoe starts from Llanberis public lane (postcode LL55 4TD). The grid reference is SH 573 597. Snowdon car park opposite Snowdon Mountain Railway; the postcode is approximate
Is the Llanberis and the horseshoe 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 the Llanberis and the horseshoe today?
By 14:27 at the latest. Sunset on Moel Eilio today is 18:12, The Llanberis and the horseshoe takes about 2h 45m 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 Llanberis and the horseshoe?
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.