Cadair Berwyn routes, easiest to hardest: times, distances and GPX

Peakify lists 1 measured route up Cadair Berwyn, traced on OpenStreetMap paths from the start to the summit. Distances and ascent are one way, to the top.

Cadair Berwyn routes, easiest to hardest

There is one measured route so far, graded Moderate. Grades run Easy, Moderate, Hard, then Scramble.

Cadair Berwyn route times by Naismith's rule

The times above use Naismith's rule: 5 km/h on the flat plus 10 minutes for every 100 m of ascent, rounded to the nearest 5 minutes. "There and back" doubles the distance and counts the ascent once, for coming down the same way. Naismith assumes a fit walker and no stops, so add time for breaks, a heavy pack, rough or snowy ground, and a group that moves at its slowest member's pace.

Each Cadair Berwyn route

Pistyll Rhaeadr via Llyn Lluncaws

A valley path to Llyn Lluncaws, then up the ridge to Moel Sych and along to Cadair Berwyn. It starts from Tan-y-pistyll car park, Pistyll Rhaeadr. 3.8 km one way with 503 m of ascent. About 1h 35m to the summit and 2h 20m there and back by Naismith's rule. Grade: Moderate.

Cadair Berwyn route GPX

This page doesn't offer a GPX download. To get a GPX file for a Cadair Berwyn route, use the Peakify iPhone app: open Cadair Berwyn, plan the route in the route planner (or import a GPX you already have), save it, then choose Export GPX on the saved route. GPX export is part of Peakify Pro.

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Before you pick a route

The grade describes the ground in fair weather. Wind, rain, cloud and ice change it: a Moderate path can be hard to follow in mist, and a scramble in strong gusts is a different proposition from the same rock on a calm day. Check whether it is safe to climb Cadair Berwyn today and the Cadair Berwyn 14-day forecast before you set off, and allow for the walk out in daylight.

Planning a day on Cadair Berwyn routes

The walking times above use Naismith's rule, which assumes a fit walker on good paths with short stops. Most groups take longer: add a quarter for a mixed group, more for children or heavy packs, and plan the descent as carefully as the climb, because tired legs and fading light cause more trouble on the way down than on the way up.

Start early. Car parks at popular starts fill by mid-morning in summer and at weekends, and an early start leaves spare daylight if the weather turns or the walk takes longer than planned. In winter, work back from sunset and leave a margin of at least an hour.

Carry a map and compass and know how to use them, even on a well-trodden path; a phone battery fails fastest in cold, wet weather. Pack a waterproof jacket and trousers, a warm layer, a hat and gloves in every season, plus food, water and a head torch. Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.

If you are new to Cadair Berwyn, choose the easiest route in the table for a first ascent and save the harder lines for a settled day when you know the mountain. Turning back is always an option; the summit will still be there.

Questions about Cadair Berwyn

What is the easiest route up Cadair Berwyn?

The one measured route listed here is Pistyll Rhaeadr via Llyn Lluncaws (Moderate).

How much time does each Cadair Berwyn route take?

Pistyll Rhaeadr via Llyn Lluncaws: about 1h 35m up and 2h 20m there and back. Times are by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops.

Can I get a GPX file for a Cadair Berwyn route?

Not from this page. In the Peakify iPhone app, plan the route in the route planner (or import one), save it, then choose Export GPX on the saved route. GPX export is part of Peakify Pro.