Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Trum y Ddysgl: route map, distance and time
710 m · Snowdonia
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Rhyd Ddu westbound public path.
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu starts at about 314 m and gains 439 m over 2.5 km to 679 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 268 m (27%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 268 m at an average of 27%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.3 km at about 37%. The final 0.5 km eases to the top. About 50% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu at a glance
| Distance | 2.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 470 m |
| Climb on the track | 439 m up, 76 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 314 m to 679 m (summit 710 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 37%, from 0.3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 50% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Rhyd Ddu westbound public path, LL54 6TN |
| Start grid reference | SH 559 524 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 544 516 |
| Parking | Rhyd Ddu station car park (SH571527); the postcode is approximate |
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu 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
- Cwellyn Arms1.1 km
- Tŷ Mawr1.1 km
- Public toilets1.2 km
- Public toilets1.8 km
- Public toilets1.8 km
- Cwellyn Arms Campsite1.8 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu 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.
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu 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 | 582 m | +268 m | 27% steep | SH 551 526 |
| 2 km | 638 m | +56 m | 6% | SH 548 517 |
| 2.5 km | 679 m | +41 m | 8% | SH 544 516 |
How long Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 5m | 1h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 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 07:07, sunset 16:53. Start by 14:08 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:09, sunset 16:51. Start by 14:06 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Trum y Ddysgl summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Trum y Ddysgl right now. The main Trum y Ddysgl page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Trum y Ddysgl forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Trum y Ddysgl
More about Trum y Ddysgl, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Trum y Ddysgl
More walks from Rhyd Ddu westbound public path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Craig Cwm Silyn
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Y Garn
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Mynydd Drws-y-coed
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Mynydd Tal-y-mignedd
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Garnedd-goch
- Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu up Mynydd Graig Goch
Other routes up Trum y Ddysgl
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cwm Pennant and Bwlch y Ddwy Elor | 4.8 km one way | 580 m | 1h 55m | Hard |
| Nantlle Ridge from Nebo | 9.9 km one way | — | — | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 559 524, the summit at SH 544 516), 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.
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu: questions and answers
How far is Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu?
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu is 2.5 km one way to the summit of Trum y Ddysgl, with 470 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 5.0 km.
How long does Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu take?
About 1h 15m to the summit of Trum y Ddysgl and 1h 45m 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 10m for the round trip.
How steep is Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu?
The steepest 500 m averages about 37%, starting 0.3 km from the start, and 50% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu climbs 439 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu?
Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu starts from Rhyd Ddu westbound public path (postcode LL54 6TN). The grid reference is SH 559 524. Rhyd Ddu station car park (SH571527); the postcode is approximate
Is Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu suitable for beginners?
No. It is a scramble: you use your hands on rock, often with big drops below. Go with someone experienced, on a dry and calm day.
What time should I start Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu today?
By 14:08 at the latest. Sunset on Trum y Ddysgl today is 16:53, Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu takes about 1h 45m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Nantlle Ridge from Rhyd Ddu?
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.