The Easiest Route Up Pen yr Ole Wen
By The Bald Scrambler
Pen yr Ole Wen
Published By: Daniel Weadley. Date: 18th October 2023. Filed at: Carneddau Scrambles. Disclosure: I may earn a commission from purchases made via links. Disclaimer: Scrambling is a dangerous sport, this route description does not provide step-by-step instructions – read disclaimer. Leave a comment here.
Pen yr Ole Wen is the seventh highest mountain in Wales and stands at 978m above sea level, the same height as England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike.
Located just north of the A5 road in the Ogwen Valley, Pen yr Ole Wen is often tackled as part of a longer day out on the Carneddau.
I’ve been to the summit around half a dozen times in the last few years and on this page, I’ll show you the easiest route from the A5 in Ogwen, which is the East Ridge.
My Favourite Scrambling Footwear:
Watch My Video
In my video below, I tackle the easiest route up Pen yr Ole Wen and also continue onto Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llewelyn before looping back to the A5, this is a delightfully long route with two notable sections of grade 1 scrambling:
Parking For Pen yr Ole Wen
There is a long (free as of 2023) layby opposite the starting point which holds 70-80 cars.
Further car parking spaces can be found in the laybys and car parks next to the A5.
See my parking map here; it shows all the spaces.
Starting Point
The starting point is the private road off the A5 leading to Glan Dena (see map location), here there is a public right way (well marked) that initially follows the wall north of the farmhouse:
The path at the eastern end of Llyn Ogwen.
The path gradually rises above the farmhouse and lake, but initially parallel to the stone wall:
Rising above the lake and the farmhouse, with the Glyderau in the background.
The Boggy Section
The path soon passes over the stone wall via a set of steps and here the ground can become very boggy in the winter and after heavy rain.
There is a stream which one must step over and the area is often muddy, I’ve even seen it boggy in the summer.
I always wear boots on this route in the winter and I suggest you do too.
The stream and boggy ground, with Tryfan in the background.
Follow The Path Next to The Stream
The path near the boggy area is faint in places but heading up the valley, roughly following the stream (Afon Lloer) past the second set of steps:
The second set of steps.
The path now rise above and to the left of the stream, the short section of scrambling now comes into view:
The scrambling section now awaits.
The scrambling section which is a gully.
The photo above shows the scrambling section, which is a short gully with a series of steps on mostly solid rock.
I can best describe the scrambling as a grade 1 gully that has a series of steps in it. I’ve always found the holds solid with little loose stuff to be worried about.
The entire scramble is short and over in less than 10 minutes but anyone coming up here will need to use their hands to help pull themselves over the rocks; this is a scrambling route and there is the potential for a dangerous fall.
A few years ago I did meet a couple with a dog that turned around at this point, so consider that a warning.
My Favourite Scrambling Book
The Push to The Summit
After the scrambling section, the path to the summit is straightforward with stunning views down into the Ogwen Valley.
The summit itself is marked by a cairn.
The final section, leading to the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen.
View from the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen.
I Never Go Out Without a Lightweight Packable Jacket:
How Difficult is the Scrambling Section?
Not everyone enjoys scrambling but the short section of scrambling on this route can’t be avoided.
I have taken a small dog up here before but she had a harness on and I had to lift up over the rocks in a few places.
I’ve also seen a couple with a larger dog turn back as their pet struggled in the gully.
I suggest watching my video at the top of this page as it clearly shows me scrambling in the gully and provides an insight into what you can expect.
Continuation
From the summit of Pen yr Ole Wen, you have a few options. I have tried all of these:
- Go back the way you came as the descent is feasible.
- Go down the south ridge to Ogwen Cottage, this is much steeper than the east ridge and slippery underfoot with plenty of loose scree in places.
- Continue into the Carneddau for a longer day out that includes Carnedd Dafydd and Carnedd Llewelyn.
I Use This Water Filter Bottle
Route Profile and Information
Scrambling Grade: Mostly a hiking route with one notable section of Grade 1 scrambling.
Suitability for Beginners: This is a popular route in the summer and the scrambling doesn’t get much shorter and easier than this but dangers are still present.
Navigation: The path is faint in the boggy area near the stream but is easier to follow further up. Low cloud could make route finding challenging.
Dangers: Slippery rocks on the lower section, risk of falling on the scrambling section.
Time: 2-2.5 hours to the summit.
Popularity: This is a popular route in the summer but maybe quieter out of season.
Fun Rating: 7/10.
My Dislikes: Not enough scrambling for me but it’s a great start if taken as part of a longer route into the Carneddau.
More:
I’ve scrambled up to Pen yr Ole Wen several times and the east ridge is a lovely route with outstanding views across the Glyderau.
This scramble is also included in Steve Ashton’s “Scrambles in Snowdonia”, which is a bible of sorts for scramblers.
If you’re new to scrambling or want to find new routes, try this compact book that is small enough to fit in your backpack and maybe even your pocket.
About Daniel Weadley
These photos and route descriptions for the east ridge of Pen yr Ole Wen were created by Daniel Weadley, aka The Bald Scrambler and this page forms part of the Carneddau Scrambles.
From walking along beaches and kayaking down rivers to making his way up mountains and even jumping out of planes, Daniel has a love of the outdoors but scrambling is his real passion.
Daniel Weadley aka The Bald Scrambler
2 Comments
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Have fun, keep safe. Hopefully I’ll see you on the mountains one day
By The Bald Scrambler
Although all scrambling and walks in the mountains should always be done we caution, the scrambling section on the east ridge is worse on your photos than real life it’s a simple enough scramble and more than okay with a larger dog if it is sensible, I just took my husky up and he flew up. Each to the own though always best to be safe just don’t be put off by this article.
Thank you for this article, Daniel, it is very useful. I’m looking at this area for a hike in April, with my small/medium basenji. He is a bit of mountain goat, so I’m hoping that will work for my benefit! We had to scramble quite a bit on the route that I picked for last year’s hike up to Goatfell – it was nerve-wracking at times, but very rewarding when we made it up the main scrambling section!
My concern after having read your article, is how easy is it to get back down the scrambling bit??? It’s always easier to get up than down…
Adam, thank you for your comment too, it reassured me that maybe I can manage the scramble on my own with a dog.
Warm regards,
Kjersti