Miners' Track and east ridge up Y Lliwedd: route map, distance and time
898 m · Snowdonia
Y Lliwedd is the twin-topped southern ridge of the Snowdon Horseshoe, with a huge north face of cliffs above Llyn Llydaw.
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Pen-y-Pass.
The Miners' Track and east ridge starts at about 366 m and gains 532 m over 4.8 km to 832 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%. The final 0.8 km eases to the top. About 23% 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 | 4.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 590 m |
| Climb on the track | 532 m up, 63 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 365 m to 854 m (summit 898 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 33%, from 3.1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 23% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Pen-y-Pass, LL55 4NU |
| Start grid reference | SH 646 556 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 622 533 |
| 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 |
| 4.8 km | 832 m | +73 m | 9% | SH 622 533 |
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 35m | 2h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 40m |
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 07:48, sunset 18:14. Start by 14:19 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:17 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Y Lliwedd summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 26 mph gusting 33 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14.
-
Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 42 mph gusting 52 mph, 90% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12.
Best day of the next seven for the Miners' Track and east ridge: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 33 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Y Lliwedd forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Y Lliwedd?
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.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 33 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 Y Lliwedd
Y Lliwedd is the twin-topped southern ridge of the Snowdon Horseshoe, with a huge north face of cliffs above Llyn Llydaw. More about Y Lliwedd, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Y Lliwedd East Top (893 m), 0.2 km south-east
- Lliwedd Bach (819 m), 0.5 km east
- Yr Wyddfa - Snowdon (1,085 m), 1.6 km north-west
- Crib Goch (923 m), 1.9 km north
- Gallt y Wenallt (620 m), 2 km east
- Crib y Ddysgl (1,065 m), 2.2 km north-west
Challenges that include Y Lliwedd
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
- Pyg Track up Snowdon
- Miners' Track up Snowdon
- Crib Goch up Snowdon
Other routes up Y Lliwedd
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw | 5.1 km one way | 554 m | 1h 55m | Hard |
| Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau | 5.3 km one way | 830 m | 2h 25m | 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 622 533), 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 4.9 km one way to the summit of Y Lliwedd, with 590 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.8 km.
How long does the Miners' Track and east ridge take?
About 2h 0m to the summit of Y Lliwedd and 2h 55m 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 40m 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 23% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Miners' Track and east ridge climbs 532 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 14:19 at the latest. Sunset on Y Lliwedd today is 18:14, The Miners' Track and east ridge takes about 2h 55m 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.