Arenig via Llyn Arenig Fawr 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 track to Llyn Arenig Fawr, then a path up the slopes to the summit ridge.
Arenig via Llyn Arenig Fawr at a glance
| Distance | 3.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 444 m |
| Time up | 1h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 5m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Old road near Arenig |
| Start grid reference | SH 846 380 |
| Summit grid reference | SH 827 369 |
Arenig via Llyn Arenig Fawr map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
How long Arenig via Llyn Arenig Fawr takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 5m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 35m |
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 15:08 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:11. Start by 15:06 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 5m 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
Other routes up Arenig Fawr
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Llyn Arenig Fawr and Y Castell | 4.9 km one way | 540 m | 1h 55m | Hard |
| Arenig quarry and northern ridge | 4.9 km one way | 530 m | 1h 50m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SH 846 380, 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 via Llyn Arenig Fawr: questions and answers
How far is Arenig via Llyn Arenig Fawr?
Arenig via Llyn Arenig Fawr is 3.4 km one way to the summit of Arenig Fawr, with 444 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.8 km.
How long does Arenig via Llyn Arenig Fawr take?
About 1h 25m to the summit of Arenig Fawr and 2h 5m 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 2h 35m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Arenig via Llyn Arenig Fawr?
Arenig via Llyn Arenig Fawr starts from Old road near Arenig. The grid reference is SH 846 380.
Is Arenig via Llyn Arenig Fawr suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Arenig via Llyn Arenig Fawr today?
By 15:08 at the latest. Sunset on Arenig Fawr today is 18:13, Arenig via Llyn Arenig Fawr takes about 2h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Arenig via Llyn Arenig Fawr?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).