Section 20 of 21, Cambrian Way
Pen y Pass to Llyn Ogwen
6.5 miles (10.4 km). About 3½ hours, challenging.
Start: SH 647 556. Finish: SH 659 607. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Diversion in place on this route. On section 9 (Llandovery to Ty'n-y-cornel), not this one. The details are on its page.
Up and down
About 837 m of climbing and 863 m of descent; highest point 997 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Pen y Pass.
- Bus stop
- Pen-y-Pass, 20 m from the start. Directions SH 647 556
- Car park
- Pen y Pass (pay), 70 m from the start. Directions SH 647 555
Getting back
The section finishes at Llyn Ogwen. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stop
- Llyn Ogwen, Pen y Benglog (opp), 980 m from the finish. Directions SH 650 603
Planning the Cambrian Way
- Planning the whole trail: cambrianway.org.uk.
- The guidebook the trail recommends: Walking the Cambrian Way (Cicerone).
What to expect
Underfoot: earth, rock and mud 53%; the rest (38%) isn't recorded.
About 3% on roads with traffic.
Path grade, where mappers have given one: rough mountain path 71%, clear path 30%.
On the way: 3 stiles, 1 gate, 1 stream crossing.
Steepest climb: about 280 m in a kilometre (1 in 4), starting 0.6 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
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Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.