Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge up Ysgafell Wen: route map, distance and time
672 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Crimea Pass public mountain-path entrance.
The Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge starts at about 378 m and gains 380 m over 4.5 km to 653 m on the track. The first 4 km are the easy part, averaging 6%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 106 m at an average of 11%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.2 km at about 26%. The final 0.5 km eases to the top. About 13% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge at a glance
| Distance | 4.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 410 m |
| Climb on the track | 380 m up, 106 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 379 m to 678 m (summit 672 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 26%, from 2.2 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 13% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Crimea Pass public mountain-path entrance |
| Start grid reference | SH 700 488 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 666 481 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Crimea Pass and Moelwynion 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Crimea Pass and Moelwynion 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.
Crimea Pass and Moelwynion 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 | 484 m | +106 m | 11% | SH 692 485 |
| 2 km | 545 m | +60 m | 6% | SH 685 479 |
| 3 km | 645 m | +101 m | 10% | SH 678 474 |
| 4 km | 627 m | -18 m | -2% | SH 670 477 |
| 4.5 km | 653 m | +26 m | 5% | SH 667 481 |
How long the Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 2h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 3h 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 07:49, sunset 18:12. Start by 14:42 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:09. Start by 14:39 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Ysgafell Wen summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 33 mph gusting 41 mph, 34% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:12.
-
Good Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Fog, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 19 mph gusting 24 mph, 58% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:09.
Best day of the next seven for the Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge: Tuesday 20 October, with summit gusts around 24 mph and a 58% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Ysgafell Wen forecast
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 -2°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 41 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 Ysgafell Wen
More about Ysgafell Wen, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Ysgafell Wen
More walks from Crimea Pass public mountain-path entrance
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge up Allt-fawr
- Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge up Moel Druman
- Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge up Ysgafell Wen North Top
- Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge up Ysgafell Wen Far North Top
Other routes up Ysgafell Wen
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd | 7.3 km one way | 480 m | 2h 15m | Hard |
| Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar | 7.2 km one way | 620 m | 2h 30m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 700 488, the summit at SH 666 481), 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.
Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge?
The Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge is 4.5 km one way to the summit of Ysgafell Wen, with 410 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.0 km.
How long does the Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge take?
About 1h 35m to the summit of Ysgafell Wen and 2h 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 3h 5m for the round trip.
How steep is the Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 26%, starting 2.2 km from the start, and 13% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge climbs 380 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge?
The Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge starts from Crimea Pass public mountain-path entrance. The grid reference is SH 700 488. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is the Crimea Pass and Moelwynion 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.
What time should I start the Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge today?
By 14:42 at the latest. Sunset on Ysgafell Wen today is 18:12, The Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge takes about 2h 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 the Crimea Pass and Moelwynion 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.