Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch up Y Garn (Snowdonia): route map, distance and time
947 m · Snowdonia
Y Garn is a pointed Glyderau summit above Llyn Idwal, with a classic view down to the Ogwen valley and Tryfan.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Nant Peris public approach lane.
Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch starts at about 113 m and gains 1,080 m over 7.5 km to 913 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 118 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 307 m at an average of 31%. It keeps climbing at 19% to the top. About 39% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch at a glance
| Distance | 7.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 1,080 m up, 282 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 112 m to 913 m (summit 947 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 34%, from 2.8 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 39% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Nant Peris public approach lane, LL55 4UF |
| Start grid reference | SH 605 584 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 630 595 |
| Parking | Nant Peris park and ride car park; the postcode is approximate |
Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch 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 Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch 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.
Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch 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 | 231 m | +118 m | 12% | SH 606 592 |
| 2 km | 470 m | +239 m | 24% steep | SH 609 600 |
| 3 km | 777 m | +307 m | 31% steep | SH 611 609 |
| 4 km | 782 m | +5 m | 1% | SH 617 614 |
| 5 km | 757 m | -25 m | -3% | SH 623 617 |
| 6 km | 746 m | -11 m | -1% | SH 626 608 |
| 7 km | 820 m | +74 m | 7% | SH 628 599 |
| 7.5 km | 913 m | +93 m | 19% | SH 630 595 |
How long Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 3h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 20m | 4h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 0m | 5h 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.
Y Garn summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 24 mph gusting 30 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14.
-
Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 43 mph gusting 54 mph, 90% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12.
Best day of the next seven for Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 30 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 1% (Low), best around 06:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Y Garn forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Y Garn?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -4°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- 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 Y Garn
Y Garn is a pointed Glyderau summit above Llyn Idwal, with a classic view down to the Ogwen valley and Tryfan. More about Y Garn, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Foel-goch (831 m), 1.7 km north
- Glyder Fawr (1,001 m), 2 km south-east
- Mynydd Perfedd (813 m), 2.4 km north
- Elidir Fawr (924 m), 2.6 km north-west
- Castell y Gwynt (972 m), 2.7 km south-east
- Glyder Fach (994 m), 2.9 km south-east
Challenges that include Y Garn
- Welsh 3000s · 15
- Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
- Snowdonia 900m Peaks · 16
- Welsh Skyline · 9
- Paddy Buckley Round · 47
- Furths · 34
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Marilyns · 1,555
More walks from Nant Peris public approach lane
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Nant Peris via the Afon Dudodyn up Elidir Fawr
- Nant Peris via Elidir Fawr up Carnedd y Filiast
- Nant Peris via Elidir Fawr up Mynydd Perfedd
- Nant Peris via Elidir Fawr up Foel-goch
Other routes up Y Garn
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ogwen via Llyn Clyd | 4.4 km one way | 741 m | 2h 5m | Hard |
| North East Ridge | 2.6 km one way | 640 m | 1h 35m | Hard |
| Devil's Kitchen / Twll Du | 4.3 km one way | 670 m | 2h 0m | Hard |
| Llwybr y Carw / Afon Las | 3.6 km one way | 800 m | 2h 5m | Hard |
| Marchlyn via Elidir Fawr and Mynydd Perfedd | 7.6 km one way | 870 m | 3h 0m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 605 584, the summit at SH 630 595), 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.
Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch: questions and answers
How far is Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch?
Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch is 7.5 km one way to the summit of Y Garn. There and back by the same way is about 15.0 km.
How steep is Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch?
The steepest 500 m averages about 34%, starting 2.8 km from the start, and 39% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch climbs 1,080 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch?
Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch starts from Nant Peris public approach lane (postcode LL55 4UF). The grid reference is SH 605 584. Nant Peris park and ride car park; the postcode is approximate
Is Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch 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.
Is there a GPX for Elidir Fawr, Mynydd Perfedd and Foel-goch?
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.