Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance up Arenig Fach: route map, distance and time
689 m · Snowdonia
Arenig Fach is a 689 m Hewitt and Marilyn north of the Bala to Trawsfynydd road, facing its taller neighbour Arenig Fawr across the valley.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from A4212 southern public-path entrance near Uwch-mynydd.
Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance starts at about 351 m and gains 322 m over 2.3 km to 671 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 213 m (21%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 213 m at an average of 21%, with a 500 m stretch from 0 km at about 26%. The final 0.3 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.
Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance at a glance
| Distance | 2.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 340 m |
| Climb on the track | 322 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 352 m to 678 m (summit 689 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 26%, from 0 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 32% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | A4212 southern public-path entrance near Uwch-mynydd |
| Start grid reference | SH 826 399 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 820 415 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance 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 Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance 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.
Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance 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 | 564 m | +213 m | 21% steep | SH 825 405 |
| 2 km | 664 m | +100 m | 10% | SH 821 413 |
| 2.3 km | 671 m | +7 m | 2% | SH 820 415 |
How long Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 50m | 1h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 50m |
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 07:05, sunset 16:52. Start by 14:22 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:07, sunset 16:50. Start by 14:20 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Arenig Fach summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Arenig Fach right now. The main Arenig Fach page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Arenig Fach forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Arenig Fach
Arenig Fach is a 689 m Hewitt and Marilyn north of the Bala to Trawsfynydd road, facing its taller neighbour Arenig Fawr across the valley. More about Arenig Fach, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Challenges that include Arenig Fach
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 826 399, the summit at SH 820 415), 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.
Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance: questions and answers
How far is Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance?
Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance is 2.3 km one way to the summit of Arenig Fach, with 340 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 4.6 km.
How long does Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance take?
About 1h 0m to the summit of Arenig Fach and 1h 30m 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 1h 50m for the round trip.
How steep is Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance?
The steepest 500 m averages about 26%, starting 0 km from the start, and 32% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance climbs 322 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance?
Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance starts from A4212 southern public-path entrance near Uwch-mynydd. The grid reference is SH 826 399. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance 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.
What time should I start Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance today?
By 14:22 at the latest. Sunset on Arenig Fach today is 16:52, Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance takes about 1h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Southern ridge from A4212 path entrance?
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.