Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn up Yr Elen: route map, distance and time
962 m · Snowdonia
Yr Elen is a pointed Carneddau summit on a spur north-west of Carnedd Llewelyn, above Cwm Llafar and the village of Gerlan.
A grade 1 scramble to the summit from Cwm Llugwy reservoir access track.
Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn starts at about 294 m and gains 799 m over 6.5 km to 924 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 153 m (15%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 254 m at an average of 25%, with a 500 m stretch from 3.2 km at about 30%. The final 0.5 km eases to the top. About 17% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn at a glance
| Distance | 6.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 850 m |
| Climb on the track | 799 m up, 167 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 294 m to 1,054 m (summit 962 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 30%, from 3.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 17% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Cwm Llugwy reservoir access track |
| Start grid reference | SH 687 602 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 673 651 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn 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
- Public toilets0.3 km
- Public toilets0.3 km
- Public toilets0.3 km
- Gwern Gôf Isaf Campsite & Bunkhouses0.2 km
- Gwern Gof Uchaf Campsite1.6 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn 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.
Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn 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 | 447 m | +153 m | 15% | SH 691 611 |
| 2 km | 552 m | +105 m | 10% | SH 695 620 |
| 3 km | 607 m | +55 m | 5% | SH 694 630 |
| 4 km | 861 m | +254 m | 25% steep | SH 691 638 |
| 5 km | 1,049 m | +187 m | 19% | SH 683 643 |
| 6 km | 887 m | -161 m | -16% | SH 675 647 |
| 6.5 km | 924 m | +37 m | 8% | SH 673 651 |
How long Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 20m | 4h 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.
- Today: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14. Start by 13:14 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 13:11 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Yr Elen summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 25 mph gusting 32 mph, 21% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:14.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 36 mph gusting 45 mph, 73% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11.
Best day of the next seven for Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 32 mph and a 21% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 1% (Low), best around 09:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Yr Elen forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Yr Elen?
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 32 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 Yr Elen
Yr Elen is a pointed Carneddau summit on a spur north-west of Carnedd Llewelyn, above Cwm Llafar and the village of Gerlan. More about Yr Elen, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Furth, Hewitt, Nuttall.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Carnedd Llewelyn (1,064 m), 1.2 km south-east
- Foel Grach (975 m), 1.7 km north-east
- Foel Meirch (799 m), 2 km south-west
- Garnedd Uchaf (925 m), 2.2 km north-east
- Carnedd Dafydd (1,044 m), 2.3 km south-west
- Bera Bach (807 m), 2.7 km north
Challenges that include Yr Elen
- Welsh 3000s · 15
- Welsh 100 Challenge · 100
- Snowdonia 900m Peaks · 16
- Carneddau Traverse · 7
- Furths · 34
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
More walks from Cwm Llugwy reservoir access track
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn up Foel Grach
Other routes up Yr Elen
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerlan via Cwm Llafar | 10.5 km one way | 940 m | 3h 40m | Moderate |
| Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge | 5.2 km one way | 750 m | 2h 15m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 687 602, the summit at SH 673 651), 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.
Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn: questions and answers
How far is Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn?
Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn is 6.5 km one way to the summit of Yr Elen, with 850 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 13.0 km.
How long does Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn take?
About 2h 45m to the summit of Yr Elen and 4h 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 4h 55m for the round trip.
How steep is Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn?
The steepest 500 m averages about 30%, starting 3.2 km from the start, and 17% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn climbs 799 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn?
Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn starts from Cwm Llugwy reservoir access track. The grid reference is SH 687 602. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn 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, or take Gerlan via Cwm Llafar instead.
What time should I start Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn today?
By 13:14 at the latest. Sunset on Yr Elen today is 18:14, Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn takes about 4h 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 Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn?
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.