Gerlan via Cwm Llafar 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 path into Cwm Llafar, then up the north-west ridge to the summit.
Gerlan via Cwm Llafar at a glance
| Distance | 10.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 940 m |
| Time up | 3h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 5h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Gerlan, near Bethesda |
| Start grid reference | SH 631 665 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 673 651 |
Gerlan via Cwm Llafar 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
- Douglas Arms0.7 km
- Cwrw Tŷ Mo0.8 km
- Y Sior0.8 km
- Caffi Seren0.8 km
- Coed y Brenin1.0 km
- Public toilets0.9 km
- Ogwen Bank Holiday Park & Country Club1.0 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Gerlan via Cwm Llafar takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 40m | 5h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 30m | 7h 10m |
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 11:29 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 11:26 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 45m 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 Gerlan via Cwm Llafar: 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
Other routes up Yr Elen
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge | 5.2 km one way | 750 m | 2h 15m | Hard |
| Cwm Llugwy and Craig yr Ysfa via Carnedd Llywelyn | 6.5 km one way | 850 m | 2h 45m | Scramble |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 631 665, 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.
Gerlan via Cwm Llafar: questions and answers
How far is Gerlan via Cwm Llafar?
Gerlan via Cwm Llafar is 10.5 km one way to the summit of Yr Elen, with 940 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 21.0 km.
How long does Gerlan via Cwm Llafar take?
About 3h 40m to the summit of Yr Elen and 5h 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 7h 10m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Gerlan via Cwm Llafar?
Gerlan via Cwm Llafar starts from Gerlan, near Bethesda. The grid reference is SH 631 665.
Is Gerlan via Cwm Llafar suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Gerlan via Cwm Llafar today?
By 11:29 at the latest. Sunset on Yr Elen today is 18:14, Gerlan via Cwm Llafar takes about 5h 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 Gerlan via Cwm Llafar?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).