South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen 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 Bwlch y Ddeufaen track junction.
South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen starts at about 399 m and gains 196 m over 1.6 km to 590 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 126 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 126 m at an average of 13%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.6 km at about 19%. It keeps climbing at 10% to the top. About 13% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen at a glance
| Distance | 1.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 220 m |
| Climb on the track | 196 m up, 6 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 391 m to 590 m (summit 610 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 19%, from 0.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 13% of the way |
| Time up | 0h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Bwlch y Ddeufaen track junction, LL32 8UR |
| Start grid reference | SH 729 714 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 729 726 |
| Parking | Bwlch y Ddeufaen eastern road-end car park (SH720715); the postcode is approximate |
South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Download the South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen 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 ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen 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 | 525 m | +126 m | 13% | SH 727 721 |
| 1.6 km | 590 m | +66 m | 10% | SH 729 726 |
How long South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 35m | 0h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 0h 40m | 1h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 0h 50m | 1h 15m |
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 16:11 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:09. Start by 16:09 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 0m 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 South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen: 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
More walks from Bwlch y Ddeufaen track junction
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum and northern ridge up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum and northern ridge up Foel Grach
- Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum and northern ridge up Foel-fras
- Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum and northern ridge up Garnedd Uchaf
- Drum from Bwlch y Ddeufaen up Drum
- Bwlch y Ddeufaen via Drum and Foel-fras up Llwytmor
- Bwlch y Ddeufaen and Drum ridge up Pen y Castell
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 |
| Rowen via Cae Coch | 3.8 km one way | 460 m | 1h 30m | 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 729 714, 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.
South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen: questions and answers
How far is South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen?
South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen is 1.6 km one way to the summit of Tal y Fan, with 220 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 3.2 km.
How long does South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen take?
About 0h 40m to the summit of Tal y Fan and 1h 0m 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 15m for the round trip.
How steep is South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen?
The steepest 500 m averages about 19%, starting 0.6 km from the start, and 13% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen climbs 196 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen?
South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen starts from Bwlch y Ddeufaen track junction (postcode LL32 8UR). The grid reference is SH 729 714. Bwlch y Ddeufaen eastern road-end car park (SH720715); the postcode is approximate
Is South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen 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 South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen today?
By 16:11 at the latest. Sunset on Tal y Fan today is 18:11, South ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen takes about 1h 0m 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 ascent from Bwlch y Ddeufaen?
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.