Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Mynydd Drws-y-coed: route map, distance and time
695 m · Snowdonia
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Rhyd Ddu westbound public path.
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu starts at about 314 m and gains 375 m over 1.9 km to 637 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 268 m (27%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 268 m at an average of 27%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.3 km at about 37%. The final 0.9 km eases to the top. About 58% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu at a glance
| Distance | 1.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 420 m |
| Climb on the track | 375 m up, 53 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 314 m to 638 m (summit 695 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 37%, from 0.3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 58% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Rhyd Ddu westbound public path, LL54 6TN |
| Start grid reference | SH 559 524 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 548 518 |
| Parking | Rhyd Ddu station car park (SH571527); the postcode is approximate |
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu 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
- Cwellyn Arms1.1 km
- Tŷ Mawr1.1 km
- Public toilets1.2 km
- Public toilets1.8 km
- Public toilets1.8 km
- Cwellyn Arms Campsite1.8 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu 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.
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu 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 | 582 m | +268 m | 27% steep | SH 551 526 |
| 1.9 km | 637 m | +55 m | 6% | SH 549 518 |
How long Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 55m | 1h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 5m | 1h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 1h 45m |
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 07:07, sunset 16:53. Start by 14:23 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:08, sunset 16:51. Start by 14:21 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Mynydd Drws-y-coed summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Mynydd Drws-y-coed right now. The main Mynydd Drws-y-coed page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Mynydd Drws-y-coed forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Mynydd Drws-y-coed
More about Mynydd Drws-y-coed, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Mynydd Drws-y-coed
More walks from Rhyd Ddu westbound public path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Craig Cwm Silyn
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Y Garn
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Trum y Ddysgl
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Mynydd Tal-y-mignedd
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Garnedd-goch
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Mynydd Graig Goch
Other routes up Mynydd Drws-y-coed
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nantlle Ridge from Nebo | 10.5 km one way | — | — | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 559 524, the summit at SH 548 518), 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.
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu: questions and answers
How far is Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu?
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu is 1.9 km one way to the summit of Mynydd Drws-y-coed, with 420 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 3.8 km.
How long does Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu take?
About 1h 5m to the summit of Mynydd Drws-y-coed and 1h 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 1h 45m for the round trip.
How steep is Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu?
The steepest 500 m averages about 37%, starting 0.3 km from the start, and 58% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu climbs 375 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu?
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu starts from Rhyd Ddu westbound public path (postcode LL54 6TN). The grid reference is SH 559 524. Rhyd Ddu station car park (SH571527); the postcode is approximate
Is Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu suitable for beginners?
No. It is a scramble: you use your hands on rock, often with big drops below. Go with someone experienced, on a dry and calm day.
What time should I start Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu today?
By 14:23 at the latest. Sunset on Mynydd Drws-y-coed today is 16:53, Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu takes about 1h 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 Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu?
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.