Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Ysgafell Wen: route map, distance and time
672 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Croesor village car park.
Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar starts at about 157 m and gains 583 m over 7.2 km to 653 m on the track. The first 3 km are the easy part, averaging 8%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 203 m at an average of 20%, with a 500 m stretch from 3.7 km at about 36%. The final 0.2 km eases to the top. About 11% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar at a glance
| Distance | 7.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 620 m |
| Climb on the track | 583 m up, 89 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 157 m to 653 m (summit 672 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 36%, from 3.7 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 11% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Croesor village car park, LL48 6SR |
| Start grid reference | SH 631 446 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 666 481 |
| Parking | Croesor village car park (SH631446); the postcode is approximate |
Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar 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 Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar 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.
Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar 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 | 250 m | +93 m | 9% | SH 630 454 |
| 2 km | 316 m | +66 m | 7% | SH 634 461 |
| 3 km | 381 m | +65 m | 7% | SH 637 471 |
| 4 km | 585 m | +203 m | 20% steep | SH 643 465 |
| 5 km | 629 m | +44 m | 4% | SH 651 471 |
| 6 km | 595 m | -34 m | -3% | SH 657 478 |
| 7 km | 644 m | +49 m | 5% | SH 665 482 |
| 7.2 km | 653 m | +9 m | 5% | SH 667 481 |
How long Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 3h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 3h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 50m |
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 13:17 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:09. Start by 13:14 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 55m 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 Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar: 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 Croesor village car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Croesor via the south-west ridge up Cnicht
- Rhosydd and the north ridge from Croesor up Cnicht
- Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr up Cnicht
- From Croesor by the north-west ridge up Moelwyn Mawr
- Croesor via Moelwyn Bach and Craigysgafn up Moelwyn Mawr
- South-west ascent from Croesor up Moelwyn Bach
- Croesor via Cnicht south-west ridge up Cnicht North Top
- Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr up Craigysgafn
- Croesor via Moelwyn Mawr up Moel-yr-hydd
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Allt-fawr
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Moel Druman
- Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar up Ysgafell Wen North Top
Other routes up Ysgafell Wen
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crimea Pass and Moelwynion ridge | 4.5 km one way | 410 m | 1h 35m | Hard |
| Tanygrisiau via Cwmorthin and Rhosydd | 7.3 km one way | 480 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 631 446, 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.
Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar: questions and answers
How far is Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar?
Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar is 7.2 km one way to the summit of Ysgafell Wen, with 620 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 14.4 km.
How long does Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar take?
About 2h 30m to the summit of Ysgafell Wen and 3h 55m 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 50m for the round trip.
How steep is Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar?
The steepest 500 m averages about 36%, starting 3.7 km from the start, and 11% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar climbs 583 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar?
Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar starts from Croesor village car park (postcode LL48 6SR). The grid reference is SH 631 446. Croesor village car park (SH631446); the postcode is approximate
Is Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar 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 Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar today?
By 13:17 at the latest. Sunset on Ysgafell Wen today is 18:12, Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar takes about 3h 55m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Gelli Iago via Llyn yr Adar?
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.