South-west ridge from Ogwen 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 hard mountain walk to the summit from Ogwen Cottage north-side path.
South-west ridge from Ogwen starts at about 314 m and gains 663 m over 2.0 km to 949 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 404 m (40%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 404 m at an average of 40%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.5 km at about 52%. It keeps climbing at 24% to the top. About 74% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
South-west ridge from Ogwen at a glance
| Distance | 2.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 690 m |
| Climb on the track | 663 m up, 24 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 296 m to 961 m (summit 978 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 52%, from 0.5 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 74% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Ogwen Cottage north-side path, LL57 3LZ |
| Start grid reference | SH 650 604 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 655 619 |
| Parking | Llyn Ogwen / Ogwen Centre car park; the postcode is approximate |
South-west ridge from Ogwen 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the South-west ridge from Ogwen 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.
South-west ridge from Ogwen 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 | 718 m | +404 m | 40% steep | SH 652 612 |
| 2 km | 949 m | +231 m | 24% steep | SH 655 619 |
How long South-west ridge from Ogwen takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 1h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 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 07:48, sunset 18:14. Start by 15:19 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 15:17 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 55m 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 South-west ridge from Ogwen: 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 north-side path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge up Carnedd Dafydd
- South-west ridge from Ogwen and Carneddau ridge up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Ogwen via Y Garn and Mynydd Perfedd up Elidir Fawr
- Devil's Kitchen / Twll Du and plateau traverse up Glyder Fach
- Senior's Gully and Ridge and plateau traverse up Glyder Fach
- Y Gribin and plateau traverse up Glyder Fach
- Bristly Ridge up Glyder Fach
- Devil's Kitchen / Twll Du up Glyder Fawr
- Senior's Gully and Ridge up Glyder Fawr
- Y Gribin up Glyder Fawr
- Bristly Ridge and plateau traverse up Glyder Fawr
- North East Ridge 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 |
| Ogwen via the south ridge | 4.6 km one way | 936 m | 2h 30m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 650 604, 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.
South-west ridge from Ogwen: questions and answers
How far is South-west ridge from Ogwen?
South-west ridge from Ogwen is 2.0 km one way to the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen, with 690 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 4.0 km.
How long does South-west ridge from Ogwen take?
About 1h 35m to the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen and 1h 55m 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 2h 25m for the round trip.
How steep is South-west ridge from Ogwen?
The steepest 500 m averages about 52%, starting 0.5 km from the start, and 74% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. South-west ridge from Ogwen climbs 663 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for South-west ridge from Ogwen?
South-west ridge from Ogwen starts from Ogwen Cottage north-side path (postcode LL57 3LZ). The grid reference is SH 650 604. Llyn Ogwen / Ogwen Centre car park; the postcode is approximate
Is South-west ridge from Ogwen 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 South-west ridge from Ogwen today?
By 15:19 at the latest. Sunset on Pen yr Ole Wen today is 18:14, South-west ridge from Ogwen takes about 1h 55m 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-west ridge from Ogwen?
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.