Ogwen via the south ridge up Pen yr Ole Wen: route map, distance and time
978 m · Snowdonia
Pen yr Ole Wen is the steep-sided Carneddau summit above Llyn Ogwen, one of the Welsh 3000s and the first step onto the Carneddau ridge.
A steep climb up the south ridge with rocky steps near the top.
Ogwen via the south ridge at a glance
| Distance | 4.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 936 m |
| Time up | 2h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Ogwen Cottage car park |
| Start grid reference | SH 660 604 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 655 619 |
Ogwen via the south ridge 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
- Ogwen Tea Bar1.1 km
- Public toilets1.1 km
- Public toilets1.2 km
- Gwern Gof Uchaf Campsite1.2 km
- YHA Idwal1.2 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long the Ogwen via the south ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 3h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 10m |
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 13:49 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 13:47 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Pen yr Ole Wen summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 25 mph gusting 31 mph, 21% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Dense drizzle, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 35 mph gusting 44 mph, 73% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12.
Best day of the next seven for the Ogwen via the south ridge: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 31 mph and a 21% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 1% (Low), best around 05:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Pen yr Ole Wen forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Pen yr Ole Wen?
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 -4°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 31 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 Pen yr Ole Wen
Pen yr Ole Wen is the steep-sided Carneddau summit above Llyn Ogwen, one of the Welsh 3000s and the first step onto the Carneddau ridge. More about Pen yr Ole Wen, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Carnedd Dafydd (1,044 m), 1.3 km north-east
- Foel Meirch (799 m), 1.8 km north
- Tryfan (918 m), 2.7 km south
- Foel-goch (831 m), 2.8 km west
Challenges that include Pen yr Ole Wen
- Welsh 3000s · 15
- Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
- Snowdonia 900m Peaks · 16
- Carneddau Traverse · 7
- Paddy Buckley Round · 47
- Furths · 34
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
More walks from Ogwen Cottage car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Ogwen via Bristly Ridge up Glyder Fach
- Ogwen via the Devil's Kitchen up Glyder Fawr
- North Ridge from Llyn Ogwen up Tryfan
- Ogwen via Llyn Clyd up Y Garn
Other routes up Pen yr Ole Wen
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glan Dena via Cwm Lloer | 2.8 km one way | 660 m | 1h 40m | Moderate |
| South-west ridge from Ogwen | 2.0 km one way | 690 m | 1h 35m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 660 604, the summit at SH 655 619), 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.
Ogwen via the south ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Ogwen via the south ridge?
The Ogwen via the south ridge is 4.6 km one way to the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen, with 936 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.2 km.
How long does the Ogwen via the south ridge take?
About 2h 30m to the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen and 3h 25m 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 10m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the Ogwen via the south ridge?
The Ogwen via the south ridge starts from Ogwen Cottage car park. The grid reference is SH 660 604.
Is the Ogwen via the south ridge 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 Glan Dena via Cwm Lloer.
What time should I start the Ogwen via the south ridge today?
By 13:49 at the latest. Sunset on Pen yr Ole Wen today is 18:14, The Ogwen via the south ridge takes about 3h 25m 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 Ogwen via the south ridge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).