Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr up Aran Fawddwy: route map, distance and time
906 m · Snowdonia
Aran Fawddwy is the highest point of the Aran ridge in southern Snowdonia, a rocky summit above the lake of Creiglyn Dyfi.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park, over other tops on the way.
Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr starts at about 145 m and gains 744 m over 5.8 km to 875 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 263 m at an average of 26%, with a 500 m stretch from 1 km at about 32%. The final 0.8 km eases to the top. About 32% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr at a glance
| Distance | 5.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 780 m |
| Climb on the track | 744 m up, 11 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 144 m to 881 m (summit 906 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 32%, from 1 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 32% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Cwm Cywarch signed walkers' car park, SY20 9JG |
| Start grid reference | SH 852 188 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 862 223 |
| Parking | Cwm Cywarch signed walkers’ car park (SH852188); the postcode is approximate |
Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr 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 Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr 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 Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr 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 | 569 m | +263 m | 26% steep | SH 841 199 |
| 3 km | 607 m | +38 m | 4% | SH 846 205 |
| 4 km | 634 m | +27 m | 3% | SH 853 210 |
| 5 km | 818 m | +184 m | 18% | SH 857 218 |
| 5.8 km | 875 m | +56 m | 7% | SH 862 223 |
How long Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 3h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 3h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 30m |
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.
- Today: sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:13. Start by 13:38 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:11. Start by 13:36 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Aran Fawddwy summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 34 mph gusting 42 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:13.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 39 mph gusting 49 mph, 98% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:11.
Best day of the next seven for Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 42 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Aran Fawddwy forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Aran Fawddwy?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -4°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 42 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Aran Fawddwy
Aran Fawddwy is the highest point of the Aran ridge in southern Snowdonia, a rocky summit above the lake of Creiglyn Dyfi. More about Aran Fawddwy, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, historic county top, county top.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Erw y Ddafad-ddu (872 m), 1 km north
- fynydd (689 m), 1.5 km east
- Aran Benllyn (885 m), 1.9 km north
- Gwaun y Llwyni (686 m), 2 km south
- Gwaun Lydan (632 m), 2.1 km south-east
- Waun Camddwr (622 m), 2.4 km south-west
Challenges that include Aran Fawddwy
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 Benllyn
- Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr up Aran Benllyn
- 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 Fawddwy
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Llanuwchllyn via Aran Benllyn | 15.7 km one way | 866 m | 4h 35m | Moderate |
| Llanuwchllyn and Aran north ridge | 8.2 km one way | 810 m | 3h 0m | Hard |
| Cwm Cywarch via Gwaun y Llwyni | 6.7 km one way | 840 m | 2h 45m | 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 862 223), 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 Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr: questions and answers
How far is Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr?
Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr is 5.8 km one way to the summit of Aran Fawddwy, with 780 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.6 km.
How long does Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr take?
About 2h 30m to the summit of Aran Fawddwy and 3h 35m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 4h 30m for the round trip.
How steep is Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr?
The steepest 500 m averages about 32%, starting 1 km from the start, and 32% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr climbs 744 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr?
Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr 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 Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr 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, such as Llanuwchllyn via Aran Benllyn.
What time should I start Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr today?
By 13:38 at the latest. Sunset on Aran Fawddwy today is 18:13, Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr takes about 3h 35m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Cwm Cywarch via Bwlch y Main and Waun Camddwr?
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.