Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes 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.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Waunfawr public path.
Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes starts at about 129 m and gains 587 m over 6.2 km to 715 m on the track. The first 4 km are the easy part, averaging 6%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6 km, which climbs 189 m at an average of 19%, with a 500 m stretch from 5.4 km at about 24%. It keeps climbing at 16% to the top.
Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes at a glance
| Distance | 6.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 600 m |
| Climb on the track | 587 m up, 5 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 130 m to 715 m (summit 726 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 24%, from 5.4 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 5% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Waunfawr public path |
| Start grid reference | SH 529 590 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 555 577 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes 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
- Snowdonia Parc0.3 km
- Snowdonia Parc Campsite0.3 km
- Tyn-Yr-Onnen Farm & Campsite0.5 km
- Pentre Bach campsite1.0 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes 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.
Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes 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 | 230 m | +101 m | 10% | SH 535 594 |
| 2 km | 335 m | +105 m | 10% | SH 540 599 |
| 3 km | 368 m | +33 m | 3% | SH 549 598 |
| 4 km | 380 m | +11 m | 1% | SH 557 598 |
| 5 km | 498 m | +118 m | 12% | SH 556 588 |
| 6 km | 686 m | +189 m | 19% | SH 556 578 |
| 6.2 km | 715 m | +29 m | 16% | SH 555 577 |
How long Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 20m |
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 13:42 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:52, sunset 18:10. Start by 13:40 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m 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 Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Llanberis and the horseshoe | 4.6 km one way | 570 m | 1h 50m | Moderate |
| 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 529 590, 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.
Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes: questions and answers
How far is Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes?
Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes is 6.2 km one way to the summit of Moel Eilio, with 600 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.4 km.
How long does Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes take?
About 2h 15m to the summit of Moel Eilio and 3h 30m 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 4h 20m for the round trip.
How steep is Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes?
The steepest 500 m averages about 24%, starting 5.4 km from the start, and 5% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes climbs 587 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes?
Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes starts from Waunfawr public path. The grid reference is SH 529 590. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes 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 Llanberis and the horseshoe.
What time should I start Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes today?
By 13:42 at the latest. Sunset on Moel Eilio today is 18:12, Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes takes about 3h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Waunfawr via Bwlch-y-groes?
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.