Carneddau
Walking Guide and Walks

The Carneddau mountains are in the Snowdonia National Park and form the largest area of high ground over 910 metres (3000 feet) in Wales and England. The highest summit is Carnedd Llewelyn (1064 m.) which is linked to a further five summits over 910 metres. In addition to the high mountains there are several lakes including Llyn Cowlyd and Llyn Eigiau.

From a walker's perspective most routes approach from the Ogwen Valley in the west. Other less used and longer paths also approach the major summits from the east and north. A personal highlight is the steep ascent of Pen yr Ole Wen from Ogwen, which offers grandstand views of the Glyders including iconic Tryfan. Once height is gained, walking is superb as you enjoy the rugged mountain scenery. One word of warning. The Eastern Carneddau are relatively wild and remote and care is needed with navigation and appropriate equipment and maps essential.

List of walks

★ GPS file available ☩ Route profile

Walk	Description	Grade	Miles
3062★☩	Pen yr Ole Wen from Ogwen Valley	moderate	5.00
3056★☩	Pen yr Helgi Du from Ogwen Valley	moderate	5.50
3051★☩	Yr Elen from Gerlan	hard	6.50
2608★	Crimpiau & Creigiau Gleision from Llyn Crafnant	moderate	7.50
2558★☩	Carnedd Dafydd & Pen yr Ole Wen from Bethesda	mod/hard	8.00
2542★	Foel Grach & Llyn Eigiau from near Tal-y-Bont	moderate	8.50
2200★☩	Eastern Carneddau from Capel Curig	moderate	8.50
3020★☩	Aber Falls, Foel-fras & Drum from Abergwyngregyn	mod/hard	9.00
3052★☩	Yr Elen & Carnedd Dafydd from Gerlan	hard	9.00
1635★	Garnedd Uchaf & Llyn Eigiau from near Tal-y-Bont	mod/hard	9.00
2902★☩	Creigiau Gleision & Llyn Cowlyd from Capel Curig	moderate	9.50
2115★☩	Yr Elen, Carnedd Llewellyn & Carnedd Dafydd from Bethesda	hard	9.50
3047★☩	The Carneddau from Llyn Eigiau	hard	10.00
3061★☩	Eastern Carneddau from near Rowen	mod/hard	10.50
3021★☩	Northern Carneddau from Abergwyngregyn	mod/hard	12.00
2547★☩	Carnedd Llewelyn from near Rowen	mod/hard	12.00
2820★☩	Carneddau traverse from Llyn Ogwen	mod/hard	14.00
1232★☩	Carnedd Llewelyn, Llyn Eigiau & Llyn Cowlyd	hard	16.00
3002★	Welsh Three-Thousanders from Pen-y-Pass	severe	31.50

Table of summits in the Carneddau Group

Rank	Mountain	Metres/Feet	Location
3	Carnedd Llewelyn	1064 / 3491	Snowdonia
4	Carnedd Dafydd	1044 / 3425	Snowdonia
7	Pen yr Ole Wen	978 / 3209	Snowdonia
9	Foel-grach	976 / 3202	Snowdonia
11	Yr Elen	962 / 3156	Snowdonia
14	Foel-fras	942 / 3091	Snowdonia
48	Pen yr Helgi-du	833 / 2733	Snowdonia
66	Pen Llithrig-y-wrach	799 / 2621	Snowdonia
82	Drum	770 / 2526	Snowdonia
160	Cregiau Gleision	678 / 2224	Snowdonia
258	Tal y Fan	610 / 2001	Snowdonia

What is a mountain?

The accepted standard for a mountain in England & Wales is that its summit is 610 metres (2000 feet) or more above sea level. In addition, rules are in place on the height difference above intervening cols with adjacent summits to determine whether a summit is a separate mountain or a subsidiary 'top'. This is not the place to discuss the technicalities of this issue but the list has been checked against reliable tables. With simplicity in mind separate tops have been excluded from the list as these would normally be discussed in relation to their main summits. The list includes 258 summits and these will all be added in due course starting from the highest and working down.

Stay Safe

Do enjoy yourself when out walking and choose a route that is within your capabilities especially with regard to navigation.

Do turn back if the weather deteriorates especially in winter or when visibility is poor.

Do wear the right clothing for the anticipated weather conditions. If the weather is likely to change for the worse make sure you have enough extra clothing in your pack.

Do tell someone where you are planning to walk especially in areas that see few other walkers.

Do take maps and other navigational aids. Do not rely on mobile devices in areas where reception is poor. Take spare batteries especially in cold weather.

Do check the weather forecast before leaving. The Met Office has a number of forecasts for walkers that identify specific weather risks.

Please Note - These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that Walking Britain is not held responsible for the safety or well being of those following the routes as described. It is worth reiterating the point that you should embark on a walk with the correct maps preferably at 1:25000 scale. This will enable any difficulties with route finding to be assessed and corrective action taken if necessary.

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CarneddauWalking Guide and Walks

List of walks

Table of summits in the Carneddau Group

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Carneddau
Walking Guide and Walks