Miners' Track and east ridge up Y Lliwedd East Top: route map, distance and time
893 m · Snowdonia
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Pen-y-Pass.
The Miners' Track and east ridge starts at about 366 m and gains 527 m over 4.6 km to 847 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 5%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 250 m at an average of 25%, with a 500 m stretch from 3.1 km at about 33%. It keeps climbing at 14% to the top. About 24% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Miners' Track and east ridge at a glance
| Distance | 4.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 560 m |
| Climb on the track | 527 m up, 44 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 365 m to 850 m (summit 893 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 33%, from 3.1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 24% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Pen-y-Pass, LL55 4NU |
| Start grid reference | SH 646 556 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 624 532 |
| Parking | Pen y Pass car park (SH647556) |
Miners' Track and east 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 Miners' Track and east 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.
Miners' Track and east 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 | 408 m | +42 m | 4% | SH 645 548 |
| 2 km | 427 m | +19 m | 2% | SH 637 545 |
| 3 km | 509 m | +82 m | 8% | SH 631 540 |
| 4 km | 759 m | +250 m | 25% steep | SH 628 532 |
| 4.6 km | 847 m | +88 m | 14% | SH 624 532 |
How long the Miners' Track and east ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 25m |
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 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:27 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:10. Start by 14:25 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Y Lliwedd East Top summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Y Lliwedd East Top right now. The main Y Lliwedd East Top page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Y Lliwedd East Top forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Y Lliwedd East Top
More about Y Lliwedd East Top, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Y Lliwedd East Top
More walks from Pen-y-Pass
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Pen y Pass via Bwlch y Moch up Crib Goch
- East Ridge and crest up Crib Goch
- Fox's Path and Crib Goch North Ridge up Crib Goch
- East Ridge via Crib Goch up Crib y Ddysgl
- Pyg Track via Bwlch Glas up Crib y Ddysgl
- Miners' Track via Bwlch Glas up Crib y Ddysgl
- Fox's Path and Crib Goch North Ridge up Crib y Ddysgl
- Pen-y-Pass ridge approach and plateau traverse up Glyder Fach
- Pen y Pass up Glyder Fawr
- Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw up Y Lliwedd
- Miners' Track and east ridge up Y Lliwedd
- Pyg Track up Snowdon
Other routes up Y Lliwedd East Top
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau | 5.5 km one way | 830 m | 2h 30m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 646 556, the summit at SH 624 532), 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.
Miners' Track and east ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Miners' Track and east ridge?
The Miners' Track and east ridge is 4.6 km one way to the summit of Y Lliwedd East Top, with 560 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.2 km.
How long does the Miners' Track and east ridge take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Y Lliwedd East Top and 2h 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 3h 25m for the round trip.
How steep is the Miners' Track and east ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 33%, starting 3.1 km from the start, and 24% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Miners' Track and east ridge climbs 527 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Miners' Track and east ridge?
The Miners' Track and east ridge starts from Pen-y-Pass (postcode LL55 4NU). The grid reference is SH 646 556. Pen y Pass car park (SH647556)
Is the Miners' Track and east ridge 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 the Miners' Track and east ridge today?
By 14:27 at the latest. Sunset on Y Lliwedd East Top today is 18:12, The Miners' Track and east ridge takes about 2h 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 the Miners' Track and east 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.