Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw 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.
The Miners' Track to Llyn Llydaw, then a path up to the ridge and along to the summit.
Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw at a glance
| Distance | 5.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 554 m |
| Time up | 1h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Pen y Pass car park |
| Start grid reference | SH 647 556 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 622 533 |
Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw 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 | 1h 55m | 3h 0m |
| 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 14:14 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:12 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m 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 Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw: 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 car park
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miners' Track and east ridge | 4.9 km one way | 590 m | 2h 0m | Scramble |
| 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 647 556, 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.
Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw: questions and answers
How far is Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw?
Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw is 5.1 km one way to the summit of Y Lliwedd, with 554 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.2 km.
How long does Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw take?
About 1h 55m to the summit of Y Lliwedd and 3h 0m 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.
Where do you park for Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw?
Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw starts from Pen y Pass car park. The grid reference is SH 647 556.
Is Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw 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 Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw today?
By 14:14 at the latest. Sunset on Y Lliwedd today is 18:14, Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw takes about 3h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Pen y Pass via Llyn Llydaw?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).