Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge 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 hard mountain walk to the summit from Gerlan public footpath.
The Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge starts at about 282 m and gains 706 m over 5.2 km to 924 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 6%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 5 km, which climbs 234 m at an average of 23%, with a 500 m stretch from 4.7 km at about 28%. It keeps climbing at 22% to the top. About 25% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge at a glance
| Distance | 5.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 750 m |
| Climb on the track | 706 m up, 66 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 214 m to 925 m (summit 962 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 28%, from 4.7 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 25% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Gerlan public footpath |
| Start grid reference | SH 638 663 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 673 651 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west 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
- Douglas Arms1.4 km
- Cwrw Tŷ Mo1.6 km
- Y Sior1.6 km
- Caffi Seren1.6 km
- Coed y Brenin1.7 km
- Public toilets1.7 km
- Ogwen Bank Holiday Park & Country Club1.4 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west 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.
Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west 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 | 230 m | -52 m | -5% | SH 636 660 |
| 2 km | 345 m | +115 m | 11% | SH 645 658 |
| 3 km | 458 m | +114 m | 11% | SH 654 657 |
| 4 km | 638 m | +179 m | 18% | SH 664 654 |
| 5 km | 872 m | +234 m | 23% steep | SH 672 651 |
| 5.2 km | 924 m | +52 m | 22% steep | SH 673 651 |
How long the Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 50m | 4h 5m |
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 13:54 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:11. Start by 13:51 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 20m 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 the Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge: 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 Gerlan public footpath
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur up Carnedd Dafydd
- Crib Lem / Llech Ddu Spur and Carnedd Dafydd up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge up Carnedd Llewelyn
- Gerlan via Yr Elen and the high Carneddau up Foel Meirch
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 |
| 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 638 663, 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 Yr Elen north-west ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge?
The Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge is 5.2 km one way to the summit of Yr Elen, with 750 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.4 km.
How long does the Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge take?
About 2h 15m to the summit of Yr Elen and 3h 20m 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 5m for the round trip.
How steep is the Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 28%, starting 4.7 km from the start, and 25% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge climbs 706 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge?
The Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge starts from Gerlan public footpath. The grid reference is SH 638 663. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is the Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge 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, such as Gerlan via Cwm Llafar.
What time should I start the Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge today?
By 13:54 at the latest. Sunset on Yr Elen today is 18:14, The Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west ridge takes about 3h 20m 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 Gerlan via Yr Elen north-west 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.