Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni up Aran Benllyn: route map, distance and time
885 m · Snowdonia
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park.
Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni starts at about 145 m and gains 869 m over 8.9 km to 858 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 161 m (16%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 259 m at an average of 26%, with a 500 m stretch from 1 km at about 32%. The final 0.9 km eases to the top. About 21% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni at a glance
| Distance | 8.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 869 m up, 155 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 144 m to 881 m (summit 885 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 32%, from 1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 21% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park, SY20 9JG |
| Start grid reference | SH 852 188 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 867 242 |
| Parking | Cwm Cywarch signed walkers’ car park (SH852188); the postcode is approximate |
Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 306 m | +161 m | 16% | SH 849 196 |
| 2 km | 565 m | +259 m | 26% steep | SH 842 199 |
| 3 km | 606 m | +41 m | 4% | SH 848 204 |
| 4 km | 663 m | +57 m | 6% | SH 856 204 |
| 5 km | 725 m | +61 m | 6% | SH 860 212 |
| 6 km | 839 m | +114 m | 11% | SH 859 218 |
| 7 km | 830 m | -9 m | -1% | SH 862 226 |
| 8 km | 852 m | +22 m | 2% | SH 864 234 |
| 8.9 km | 858 m | +5 m | 1% | SH 867 242 |
How long Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 4h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 15m | 5h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 0m | 6h 10m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
Aran Benllyn summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Aran Benllyn right now. The main Aran Benllyn page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Aran Benllyn forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Aran Benllyn
More about Aran Benllyn, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include Aran Benllyn
More walks from Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni up Aran Fawddwy
- Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr up Aran Fawddwy
- Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni up Erw y Ddafad-ddu
- Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr up Erw y Ddafad-ddu
- Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Glasgwm
- Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Gwaun y Llwyni
- Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Waun Camddwr
- Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Pen y Brynfforchog
- Cwm Cywarch mountain paths up Pen yr Allt Uchaf
- Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn up Esgeiriau Gwynion
- Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn up Foel Rhudd
- Cwm Cywarch via Aran Fawddwy and Bwlch Sirddyn up Llechwedd Du
Other routes up Aran Benllyn
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Llanuwchllyn and Aran north ridge | 6.0 km one way | 730 m | 2h 25m | Hard |
| Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr | 8.0 km one way | 850 m | 3h 0m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 852 188, the summit at SH 867 242), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni: questions and answers
How far is Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni?
Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni is 8.9 km one way to the summit of Aran Benllyn. There and back by the same way is about 17.8 km.
How steep is Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni?
The steepest 500 m averages about 32%, starting 1 km from the start, and 21% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni climbs 869 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni?
Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni starts from Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park (postcode SY20 9JG). The grid reference is SH 852 188. Cwm Cywarch signed walkers’ car park (SH852188); the postcode is approximate
Is Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first.
Is there a GPX for Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.