Rowen via Cae Coch up Tal y Fan: route map, distance and time
610 m · Snowdonia
Tal y Fan is the last hill at the northern end of the Carneddau, a rocky ridge above the Conwy valley with standing stones near Bwlch y Ddeufaen.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Rowen public lane.
Rowen via Cae Coch starts at about 151 m and gains 437 m over 3.8 km to 590 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 149 m (15%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 149 m at an average of 15%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.2 km at about 20%. It keeps climbing at 13% to the top. About 11% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Rowen via Cae Coch at a glance
| Distance | 3.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 460 m |
| Climb on the track | 437 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 151 m to 590 m (summit 610 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 20%, from 0.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 11% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Rowen public lane |
| Start grid reference | SH 752 721 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 729 726 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Rowen via Cae Coch 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 Rowen via Cae Coch 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.
Rowen via Cae Coch 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 | 300 m | +149 m | 15% | SH 743 719 |
| 2 km | 370 m | +70 m | 7% | SH 734 715 |
| 3 km | 482 m | +112 m | 11% | SH 728 720 |
| 3.8 km | 590 m | +108 m | 13% | SH 729 726 |
How long Rowen via Cae Coch takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 50m |
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 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 14:56 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:09. Start by 14:54 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Tal y Fan summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 24 mph gusting 30 mph, 45% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11.
-
Good Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Overcast, up to 10°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 23 mph gusting 29 mph, 59% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:09.
Best day of the next seven for Rowen via Cae Coch: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 30 mph and a 45% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Tal y Fan forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Tal y Fan?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- A warm layer, hat and gloves: it feels like 1°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 45% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 30 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 Tal y Fan
Tal y Fan is the last hill at the northern end of the Carneddau, a rocky ridge above the Conwy valley with standing stones near Bwlch y Ddeufaen. More about Tal y Fan, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Challenges that include Tal y Fan
Other routes up Tal y Fan
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bwlch y Ddeufaen | 2.1 km one way | 232 m | 0h 50m | Easy |
| South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen | 1.6 km one way | 220 m | 0h 40m | Hard |
| Sychnant Pass and northern ridge | 4.7 km one way | 390 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 752 721, the summit at SH 729 726), 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.
Rowen via Cae Coch: questions and answers
How far is Rowen via Cae Coch?
Rowen via Cae Coch is 3.8 km one way to the summit of Tal y Fan, with 460 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.6 km.
How long does Rowen via Cae Coch take?
About 1h 30m to the summit of Tal y Fan and 2h 15m 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 50m for the round trip.
How steep is Rowen via Cae Coch?
The steepest 500 m averages about 20%, starting 0.2 km from the start, and 11% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Rowen via Cae Coch climbs 437 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Rowen via Cae Coch?
Rowen via Cae Coch starts from Rowen public lane. The grid reference is SH 752 721. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Rowen via Cae Coch 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 Bwlch y Ddeufaen.
What time should I start Rowen via Cae Coch today?
By 14:56 at the latest. Sunset on Tal y Fan today is 18:11, Rowen via Cae Coch takes about 2h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Rowen via Cae Coch?
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.