SH6051 : Yr Aran from the ridge to the east
Strenuous mountain walk; navigation needed

Yr Aran

747m Elevation
238m Prominence
Wales Country
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SH6051 : Yr Aran from the ridge to the east

Peter S Photo source

Overview

Yr Aran

Yr Aran is a 747.2 m mountain south of Yr Wyddfa in Eryri, with 238.4 m prominence. Its high point is a rock beside the cairn; the knoll 25 m northeast is lower. DoBIH

Walking

Explore Wild Wales describes a 10 km complete circuit from Rhyd Ddu, using the quarry track, northern ascent and southwest descent before returning to the original track. This is a mountain walk requiring fitness and navigation, with rough ground and quarry hazards. Full route

The summit overlooks Yr Wyddfa and Y Lliwedd. A separate Walking Britain route continues to Yr Wyddfa and returns by the Rhyd Ddu Path; its 13.8 km total belongs to that two-summit outing. Combined route

Landscape and travel

The quarry workings explain much of the approach’s industrial character. BGS identifies volcanic tuff at Rhos Boeth west of the summit; that sample is not a whole-mountain survey. BGS record

Use Rhyd Ddu station car park or check Sherpa S3 connections. Verify current parking, facilities and the last bus before setting out. National Park travel information

Sources checked 18 October 2026. No current on-foot inspection is claimed.

Explore routes near Yr Aran

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Beddgelert Forest: Derwen Circuit and Llyn Llywelyn

11 km ~4h Moderate

View route

Beddgelert Forest: Llyn Llywelyn Woodland Circuit

4.4 km ~2h 30m Moderate

View route

Snowdon Pyg Track returning by Miner's Track

12.3 km ~5h 30m Hard

View route

Llyn Crafnant: Lakeside Circuit from the NRW Car Park

5.1 km ~2h Easy

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Yr Aran circuit from Rhyd Ddu

The published 10 km loop starts and finishes at Rhyd Ddu station car park. Follow the quarry track towards Bwlch Cwm Llan, climb the northern side of Yr Aran, descend southwest then north to the quarry stile, and retrace the track. Open mountain ground includes faint paths, wet patches and steep rocks. Use the full linked directions and map. Source: https://explorewildwales.co.uk/shorter-mountain-walks-in-eryri-yr-arran-from-rhyd-ddu/

10 km Strenuous mountain walk; navigation needed
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Simm Hewitt Nuttall

Elevation

747m

2,451 ft

Prominence

238m

Coordinates

53.0428, -4.0832

SH604515

OS Map

115

Explorer: OL17W

At the Summit

DoBIH records a rock beside the cairn at SH6044051531 as the summit. The small knoll 25 m northeast is 1.0 m lower.

Terrain & Geology

Quarry track followed by open sometimes pathless mountain ground wet patches and a steep rocky summit approach.

BGS records acid ash-flow tuff of the Snowdon Volcanic Group at Yr Aran, Rhos Boeth (SH5905 5231), west of the summit. This is a locality sample, not a summit-wide geological survey.

Views & Scenery

Clear-weather summit views include Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Y Lliwedd and Cwm Llan.

History & Heritage

Historical Significance

The Rhyd Ddu approach follows a former quarry track and passes disused slate workings around Bwlch Cwm Llan.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Rhyd Ddu station car park off the A4085, SH571526, is the start of the published circuit. Check current charges and capacity.

Public Transport

Eryri National Park lists Sherpa S3 at Rhyd Ddu Station, with connections from Caernarfon and via Beddgelert. Check the current timetable and return service.

Nearby Facilities

The route guide records toilets and a water-filling point at Rhyd Ddu car park. Check availability and carry your own supplies.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • The upper circuit crosses faint or absent paths and steep rocky ground; carry a map and compass and know how to use them.
  • Keep clear of deep, steep-sided quarry workings. Wet ground and summit rocks can be slippery.
  • A ladder stile is part of the published approach; assess it before taking a dog. Check mountain weather and carry suitable clothing.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Yr Aran?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Yr Aran through the maps

Are there other walkers around Yr Aran?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Yr Aran search or of course create your own walk for Yr Aran

Can I organise a walk to Yr Aran?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Yr Aran.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Yr Aran?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Yr Aran here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

Yr Aran location map

Grid reference: SH604515

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Snowdon - Yr Wyddfa

Snowdon - Yr Wyddfa

1,085m

Y Lliwedd

898m

Moel Hebog

784m

Cnicht

691m

Glyder Fawr

1,001m
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