Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau 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 Watkin Path entrance at Nant Gwynant.
Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau starts at about 76 m and gains 773 m over 5.3 km to 832 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 47 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 5 km, which climbs 220 m at an average of 22%, with a 500 m stretch from 4.2 km at about 29%. It keeps climbing at 22% to the top. About 28% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau at a glance
| Distance | 5.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 830 m |
| Climb on the track | 773 m up, 17 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 76 m to 832 m (summit 898 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 29%, from 4.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 28% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Watkin Path entrance at Nant Gwynant, LL55 4NL |
| Start grid reference | SH 627 505 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 622 533 |
| Parking | Pont Bethania car park (SH627506); the postcode is approximate |
Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau 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 Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau 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.
Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau 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 | 123 m | +47 m | 5% | SH 625 514 |
| 2 km | 260 m | +136 m | 14% | SH 621 520 |
| 3 km | 356 m | +96 m | 10% | SH 613 524 |
| 4 km | 543 m | +188 m | 19% | SH 616 533 |
| 5 km | 763 m | +220 m | 22% steep | SH 620 535 |
| 5.3 km | 832 m | +69 m | 22% steep | SH 622 533 |
How long Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 20m |
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 13:44 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:12. Start by 13:42 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m 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 Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau: 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 Watkin Path entrance at Nant Gwynant
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Watkin Path up Snowdon
- Watkin Path and Bwlch Cwm Llan up Yr Aran
- Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau up Lliwedd Bach
- Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau up Y Lliwedd East Top
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 |
| Miners' Track and east ridge | 4.9 km one way | 590 m | 2h 0m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 627 505, 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.
Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau: questions and answers
How far is Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau?
Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau is 5.3 km one way to the summit of Y Lliwedd, with 830 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.6 km.
How long does Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau take?
About 2h 25m to the summit of Y Lliwedd and 3h 30m 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 4h 20m for the round trip.
How steep is Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau?
The steepest 500 m averages about 29%, starting 4.2 km from the start, and 28% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau climbs 773 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau?
Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau starts from Watkin Path entrance at Nant Gwynant (postcode LL55 4NL). The grid reference is SH 627 505. Pont Bethania car park (SH627506); the postcode is approximate
Is Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau 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 Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau today?
By 13:44 at the latest. Sunset on Y Lliwedd today is 18:14, Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau takes about 3h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Watkin Path and Bwlch y Saethau?
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.