Arenig quarry and northern ridge up Arenig Fawr: route map, distance and time
854 m · Snowdonia
Arenig Fawr is a rugged mountain west of Bala, with a memorial on its summit to the crew of an American bomber that crashed there.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Arenig public track near old quarry.
The Arenig quarry and northern ridge starts at about 342 m and gains 485 m over 4.9 km to 822 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 3%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 4 km, which climbs 250 m at an average of 25%, with a 500 m stretch from 3.3 km at about 29%. The final 0.9 km eases to the top. About 23% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Arenig quarry and northern ridge at a glance
| Distance | 4.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 530 m |
| Climb on the track | 485 m up, 6 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 335 m to 822 m (summit 854 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 29%, from 3.3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 23% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Arenig public track near old quarry |
| Start grid reference | SH 822 392 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 827 369 |
| Parking | No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby |
Arenig quarry and northern ridge map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Download the Arenig quarry and northern ridge 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.
Arenig quarry and northern ridge 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 | 347 m | +5 m | 1% | SH 821 392 |
| 2 km | 393 m | +47 m | 5% | SH 814 385 |
| 3 km | 521 m | +128 m | 13% | SH 819 379 |
| 4 km | 771 m | +250 m | 25% steep | SH 827 376 |
| 4.9 km | 822 m | +51 m | 6% | SH 827 369 |
How long the Arenig quarry and northern ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 20m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 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 14:23 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:11. Start by 14:21 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Arenig Fawr summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Arenig Fawr right now. The main Arenig Fawr page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Arenig Fawr forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Snowdonia forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Arenig Fawr
Arenig Fawr is a rugged mountain west of Bala, with a memorial on its summit to the crew of an American bomber that crashed there. More about Arenig Fawr, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Arenig Fawr South Top (837 m), 0.3 km south
- Arenig Fawr South Ridge Top (714 m), 1 km south
- Moel Llyfnant (751 m), 2.6 km south-west
Challenges that include Arenig Fawr
More walks from Arenig public track near old quarry
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Arenig quarry and northern ridge up Arenig Fawr South Top
- Arenig quarry and northern ridge up Arenig Fawr South Ridge Top
- Arenig via Amnodd and the northern slopes up Moel Llyfnant
Other routes up Arenig Fawr
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arenig via Llyn Arenig Fawr | 3.4 km one way | 444 m | 1h 25m | Moderate |
| Llyn Arenig Fawr and Y Castell | 4.9 km one way | 540 m | 1h 55m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 822 392, the summit at SH 827 369), 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.
Arenig quarry and northern ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Arenig quarry and northern ridge?
The Arenig quarry and northern ridge is 4.9 km one way to the summit of Arenig Fawr, with 530 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.8 km.
How long does the Arenig quarry and northern ridge take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Arenig Fawr and 2h 50m 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 3h 30m for the round trip.
How steep is the Arenig quarry and northern ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 29%, starting 3.3 km from the start, and 23% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Arenig quarry and northern ridge climbs 485 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Arenig quarry and northern ridge?
The Arenig quarry and northern ridge starts from Arenig public track near old quarry. The grid reference is SH 822 392. No checked car park for this start; find lawful parking nearby
Is the Arenig quarry and northern ridge 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 Arenig via Llyn Arenig Fawr.
What time should I start the Arenig quarry and northern ridge today?
By 14:23 at the latest. Sunset on Arenig Fawr today is 18:13, The Arenig quarry and northern ridge takes about 2h 50m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Arenig quarry and northern ridge?
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.