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Carnedd Dafydd & Carnedd Llewelyn loop from the Ogwen Valley — Snowdonia National Park

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Hiking trails & Routes

Carnedd Dafydd & Carnedd Llewelyn loop from the Ogwen Valley — Snowdonia National Park

Hard

4.8

(40)

478

hikers

Carnedd Dafydd & Carnedd Llewelyn loop from the Ogwen Valley — Snowdonia National Park

06:45

18.8km

1,040m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 6, 2024

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

3.05 km

Pen yr Ole Wen

Highlight • Viewpoint

An almost pyramidal peak, Pen r Ole Wen looms over the elbow of Ogwen, watching from above as screaming jets pull hard right to skim along the valley floor. It’s a gateway to the Carneddau, a viewpoint for the Glyderau, a hill of pinnacled ridges and secluded cwms, and a beauty of a mountain.

Tip by

4.61 km

Carnedd Dafydd

Highlight • Summit

After a steep push to the summit, your effort is rewarded with spectacular views over to the Glyderau, Tryfan, Carnedd Llewellyn and Anglesey to the north. At 3,425 feet (1,044 m) high, it's the third highest summit in Wales. However, it is far less visited than the giant of Snowdon, meaning you can experience the wild mountain landscape in more solitude.

Tip by

8.65 km

Yr Elen summit

Highlight • Natural Monument

Many people overlook climbing Yr Elen, which is to the benefit of those that do. With spectacular views and a jagged, highly interesting summit, it's surprising how little-visited this magnificent peak is. While usually tackled from the main ridge of the Carneddau, it can also be climbed from Gerlan, near Bethesda. However, this second option involves walking through wet valleys and a number of rivers that are difficult to cross.

Tip by

10.1 km

Carnedd Llewelyn

Highlight • Natural Monument

Carnedd Llewelyn is a rugged and wild summit that boasts incredible views of the lake Ffynnon Llugwn. With bracing mountain air to reinvigorate the senses, this peak is a must-climb on any trip to Snowdonia. At 3,491 feet (1,064 m), Carnedd Llewelyn is the second highest peak in Wales. You can reach the summit of Yr Elen via a ridge from this point, too.

Tip by

12.2 km

Pen Yr Helgi Du

Highlight • Viewpoint

Pen yr Helgi Du is a fine summit to the southeast of Carnedd Llewelyn. It stands high above wild Cwm Eigiau and the beautiful Ffynnon Llugwy reservoir. Its summit is linked to Carnedd Llewelyn via the narrow ridge at Bwlch Eryi Farchog. The traverses takes you above the mighty cliffs of Craig yr Ysfa, which are popular with rock climbers.

Tip by

16.5 km

Gwern Gôf Isaf Campsite with View of Tryfan

Highlight • Viewpoint

There are few campsites that enjoy a view as special as Gwern Gôf Isaf. The site is the perfect spot from which to admire Tryfan's unique and intimidating eastern face, which rises from the Ogwen Valley like the scaled back of some ancient, petrified leviathan.

The campsite itself has loads of space for tent pitches, as well as bunkhouse and cottage options. Hiking in the area is about more than just Tryfan, though it is admittedly a very special mountain. Fantastic trails also explore the spectacular Glyderau range, as well as the quieter, but higher, Carneddau to the north.

Tip by

18.8 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

7.71 km

6.49 km

2.63 km

1.20 km

709 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

8.15 km

8.13 km

2.46 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (1,050 m)

Lowest point (280 m)

Weather

Saturday 9 May

12°C

4°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

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This route was planned by komoot.

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Trail Reviews

Dave B

July 29, 2024, Pen Yr Heigi Du / Carnedd Llewelyn/Yr Elen/Ysgolion Duon/Carnedd Dafydd/Carnedd Fach/Pennine Yr Old wen

A very high level of fitness is required for this strenuous walk. A few Up and Down Scrambles not for the faint hearted !

Carnedd Dafydd & Carnedd Llewelyn loop from the Ogwen Valley — Snowdonia National Park

Pen yr Ole Wen

Carnedd Dafydd

Yr Elen summit

Carnedd Llewelyn

Pen Yr Helgi Du

Gwern Gôf Isaf Campsite with View of Tryfan

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