Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig up Y Foel Goch (Snowdonia): route map, distance and time
805 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Capel Curig public path.
Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig starts at about 197 m and gains 592 m over 5.3 km to 781 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 65 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 180 m at an average of 18%, with a 500 m stretch from 3.5 km at about 28%. It keeps climbing at 14% to the top. About 28% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig at a glance
| Distance | 5.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 640 m |
| Climb on the track | 592 m up, 6 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 196 m to 787 m (summit 805 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 28%, from 3.5 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 28% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 10m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Capel Curig public path |
| Start grid reference | SH 714 579 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 677 582 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig 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 Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig 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.
Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig 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 | 262 m | +65 m | 7% | SH 717 584 |
| 2 km | 430 m | +168 m | 17% | SH 708 583 |
| 3 km | 443 m | +13 m | 1% | SH 698 581 |
| 4 km | 623 m | +180 m | 18% | SH 689 583 |
| 5 km | 734 m | +111 m | 11% | SH 680 583 |
| 5.3 km | 781 m | +47 m | 14% | SH 677 582 |
How long Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 3h 55m |
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 14:01 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:09. Start by 13:59 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Y Foel Goch summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Y Foel Goch right now. The main Y Foel Goch page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Y Foel Goch forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Y Foel Goch
More about Y Foel Goch, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Y Foel Goch
More walks from Capel Curig public path
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Plas y Brenin up Moel Siabod
- Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig up Gallt yr Ogof
Other routes up Y Foel Goch
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pen-y-Gwryd via Llyn y Caseg Fraith | 3.6 km one way | 540 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 714 579, the summit at SH 677 582), 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.
Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig: questions and answers
How far is Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig?
Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig is 5.3 km one way to the summit of Y Foel Goch, with 640 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.6 km.
How long does Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig take?
About 2h 10m to the summit of Y Foel Goch and 3h 10m 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 55m for the round trip.
How steep is Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig?
The steepest 500 m averages about 28%, starting 3.5 km from the start, and 28% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig climbs 592 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig?
Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig starts from Capel Curig public path. The grid reference is SH 714 579. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig 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.
What time should I start Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig today?
By 14:01 at the latest. Sunset on Y Foel Goch today is 18:11, Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig takes about 3h 10m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Eastern Glyderau from Capel Curig?
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.