Sychnant Pass and northern ridge 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 Sychnant Pass mapped public path.
The Sychnant Pass and northern ridge starts at about 247 m and gains 363 m over 4.7 km to 590 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 4%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 179 m at an average of 18%, with a 500 m stretch from 3.3 km at about 22%. The final 0.7 km eases to the top.
Sychnant Pass and northern ridge at a glance
| Distance | 4.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 390 m |
| Climb on the track | 363 m up, 24 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 239 m to 590 m (summit 610 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 22%, from 3.3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 9% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Sychnant Pass mapped public path |
| Start grid reference | SH 748 764 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 729 726 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Sychnant Pass and northern ridge 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 Sychnant Pass and northern ridge 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.
Sychnant Pass and northern ridge 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 | 256 m | +9 m | 1% | SH 744 756 |
| 2 km | 315 m | +59 m | 6% | SH 740 747 |
| 3 km | 367 m | +52 m | 5% | SH 736 738 |
| 4 km | 546 m | +179 m | 18% | SH 733 730 |
| 4.7 km | 590 m | +45 m | 7% | SH 729 726 |
How long the Sychnant Pass and northern ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 2h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 3h 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 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 14:41 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:09. Start by 14:39 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m 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 the Sychnant Pass and northern ridge: 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 |
| Rowen via Cae Coch | 3.8 km one way | 460 m | 1h 30m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 748 764, 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.
Sychnant Pass and northern ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Sychnant Pass and northern ridge?
The Sychnant Pass and northern ridge is 4.7 km one way to the summit of Tal y Fan, with 390 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.4 km.
How long does the Sychnant Pass and northern ridge take?
About 1h 35m to the summit of Tal y Fan and 2h 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 3h 10m for the round trip.
How steep is the Sychnant Pass and northern ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 22%, starting 3.3 km from the start, and 9% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Sychnant Pass and northern ridge climbs 363 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Sychnant Pass and northern ridge?
The Sychnant Pass and northern ridge starts from Sychnant Pass mapped public path. The grid reference is SH 748 764. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is the Sychnant Pass and northern 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 Bwlch y Ddeufaen.
What time should I start the Sychnant Pass and northern ridge today?
By 14:41 at the latest. Sunset on Tal y Fan today is 18:11, The Sychnant Pass and northern ridge takes about 2h 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 the Sychnant Pass and northern ridge?
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.